Personal details
- Birth Date: 1951-04-20
- Height: 6′ 2½″ (1.89 m)
- Birth Location: Kips Bay, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
- Parents: Mary Ida Vandross
- Professions: Music Artist, Actor, Music Department
Luther Vandross, often called the “heartbeat” of R&B in the ‘80s and ‘90s, was grinding long before he blew up. Born in Manhattan in ‘51, the youngest in his family, he lost his dad way too young. Even with that loss, his mom kept the house full of music—gospel, soul, doo-wop—the whole vibe. His sister Patricia was out there doing her thing with The Crests, so music was pretty much in his DNA. By high school, Luther was already cooking up his own tunes and leading his own group. His first big break? Writing “Everybody Rejoice” for The Wiz. Dude was everywhere in the ‘70s—singing jingles, laying down backup vocals for legends like Bowie, Chaka Khan, and Donna Summer. He tried fronting a group, too, but ended up back in the background, hustling for creative control and the right record deal. He finally dropped his first solo album at 30, and “Never Too Much” shot up the charts. Album after album followed, but it wasn’t until “Here and Now” in ‘89 that he really became the king of love songs. Some folks threw shade, calling him just a “ladies’ man” or “bedroom music” guy, but his voice? Smooth as butter. Life wasn’t easy, though. Health problems, weight swings, rumors about his private life, a tragic car accident—Luther dealt with a lot. Even so, he kept delivering hits, working with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and more. Whether on stage, TV, or behind the scenes, he left a mark that’s still untouchable.
Most people have no clue, but Luther Vandross actually got his big break because of David Bowie. Total accident, too. Bowie just happened to overhear Luther singing along to “Young Americans” in the studio. The guy’s voice—come on, it’s Luther Vandross—caught Bowie’s attention instantly. Instead of brushing him off, Bowie did the opposite and brought Luther right into the recording session. That’s how Vandross ended up singing backup on the track, which, honestly, is wild if you think about it. One minute you’re just vibing to music, next minute you’re part of a Bowie record. This moment basically kicked open the door for Luther’s career, eventually making him a household name. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes stories that feels almost too random to be real, but hey, sometimes music history is just full of these weird, serendipitous moments.
Man, let’s just say the women—Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes—they’re the reason I even cared about the stereo in the first place. There’s something wild about the way they just lean into the music, no holding back. Guys? Ugh, always flexing, trying to prove they’ve got the technical skills, like it’s some kind of contest. Women, though, they trust their gut. They’re not afraid to dive into the deep end, get dramatic, push the limits. It’s like they’re having a conversation with the song itself, and they don’t care if it gets messy or too loud or way too honest. That kind of bravery? It’s magnetic. Makes you wanna turn the volume up just to see what they’ll do next.
April 20, 1951
6′ 2½″ (1.89 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Kips Bay, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Yes, No Children
Mary Ida Vandross and Surekha
74 years old