Media Play is a store but they are available on line as well.

www.mediaplay.com

I went to the store.


Okay okay I had a $10 off coupon. :D

LOL

:D :D :D

Thank Youuuuu!!!

My fiff baby's farva Kurtiss pick pocketed one for me while at work.....:D :cool:

I heard "Lovely Day" (w/Busta) on the radio this weekend. I'm not feeling it. I guess, I love Bill Withers' version too much. :confused:

I do like the title track. :(

Yeah and Kirk Franklin has a version of it too.

Overall the CD is a really nice one.

I don't like the fast cuts that much, but I did like that one with Beyonce. I got it for $11.99 at Best Buy. I do get bootleg copies of cd's, but there are some artist you just got to have the real thing.

Luther Vandross leaves intensive care

By Nekesa Mumbi Moody AP Music Writer Originally published June 12, 2003, 1:49 PM EDT



Luther Vandross has been moved out of intensive care and upgraded to stable condition, his business manager said Thursday.

Vandross "is more and more responsive each day," Carmen Romano said in a statement. "I feel as though I am watching a modern day miracle."

The 52-year-old R&B singer remains hospitalized at Cornell-Weill Medical Center in New York City. He had been in critical condition since his April 16 stroke, at one point contracting pneumonia and needing a tracheotomy to help him breathe.

However, family and friends told The Associated Press last week that Vandross was beginning to mouth words and had started light therapy. He also no longer needs a respirator to breathe.

His move out of intensive care comes two days after the release of his new album, "Dance With My Father." Lois Najarian, a spokeswoman for J Records, said Vandross was excited and happy about the reception to his album, and even listened to a radio tribute to him on Wednesday.

"The DJ played 'Dance with My Father' and said that it was the No. 1 most-requested song," she said. "The people who were with Luther said a big smile came over his face."

Najarian said doctors were still unsure if Vandross suffered any long- term damage from the stroke. When his condition improves, he will be moved to a rehabilitation facility. Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

CT4 You are the Best!!!

Thank you for keeping us all informed!!!

:D

According to Oprah, Luther is getting out of the hospital. :)

Thanks Cream, I been at work all day so I am outta the loop. :)

Posted on June 18

Luther Vandross CD Debuts at No. 1
Associated Press

NEW YORK - Luther Vandross' new album, released as he lay in a hospital recovering from a stroke, has debuted at No. 1, according to industry figures released Wednesday.

"Dance With My Father" sold more than 440,000 copies in its first week of release, marking the first No. 1 album debut for the Grammy winner, whose career spans more than two decades.

The album was released by J Records on June 10, almost two months after Vandross suffered a stroke in his Manhattan home. The 52-year-old singer was hospitalized April 17 in critical condition at Weill-Cornell Medical College, barely conscious, and suffered serious setbacks; at one point, he needed a tracheotomy to help him breathe.

Although his condition was grave, family members moved ahead to release "Dance With My Father" as scheduled. His mother, Mary Vandross, said her son would have wanted his music to be heard and expressed confidence that it would be a success.

His condition has markedly improved recently. On Thursday, he was moved out of intensive care.

The R&B singer has sold more than 20 million albums. He's best known for his romantic ballads, including "Here and Now" and "A House Is Not a Home."

June 27, 2003 |


R&B legend LUTHER VANDROSS is out of the hospital and is now being treated in a rehabilitation center, his publicist announced. Doctors have also removed the tracheotomy tube inserted in his throat while he battled meningitis and pneumonia. And though Vandross's recovery will be a long road, his publicist says he is able to communicate some and "has an idea" that his latest CD, Dance with My Father, is doing well.

FYI
 

It was reported in the news yesterday that there will be a video for Luther's title track. The video will be similar to Aaliyah's "I Miss You" with various stars making cameo appearances.

Vandross Talking, Singing, Improving
Thu Aug 14, 5:20 PM ET Add Entertainment - E! Online to My Yahoo!


By Joal Ryan

The Grammy-winning R&B balladeer, stricken in April by a stroke, is now talking and showing movement on his right side, reports say.


A spokeswoman for J Records, Vandross' label home, calls those two breakthroughs the "most exciting developments."


"Every day there's something new," the rep tells Rolling Stone.


Another sign of progress: The hit-maker, currently being cared for at an undisclosed rehab facility, is recognizing his own tunes on the radio, and sometimes singing along.


Still, J Records' Lois Najarian, is careful not to overstate the challenges ahead for Vandross, telling the Associated Press she doesn't want to "give the impression that miracles are taking place and he's going to be up and singing right away."


The fact that he's singing at all, though, is why his business manager once described his progress as a "modern-day miracle."


Vandross was found unconscious in his Manhattan apartment on April 16. In the ensuing touch-and-go weeks, the critically ill crooner battled pneumonia and endured a tracheotomy, all while in a coma.


In May, the 52-year-old began to show what were termed "the first signs of awareness"--moving his eyes, responding with a nod to "yes" and "no" questions.


In June, as his latest album, Dance with My Father, was climbing the charts, Vandross was checking out of New York's Weill Cornell Medical Center, and into a private facility.


No word if the singer is yet breathing entirely on his own, or still needs the aid of a respirator.


Dance with My Father, its title track a tribute to the parent he lost at age 7, remains a hot seller, currently number five on Billboard's R&B album charts.


Vandross' catalog of smooth hits include "Give Me the Reason," "Here and Now" and "Power of Love/Love Power."

Luther Vandross Recovering From Illness
19 minutes ago


NEW YORK - Since the removal in late June of a tracheotomy tube, inserted while he battled meningitis and pneumonia, Luther Vandross is once again talking — and singing, People magazine reports.



On a recent visit with Vandross — who suffered a stroke on April 16 — Patti LaBelle says that when they sang a duet, he corrected her on a lyric. "His voice is the same as it ever was," LaBelle tells People in its Oct. 20 issue.


Vandross, 52, is undergoing therapy at a New Jersey rehabilitation facility, the magazine says.


His new album, "Luther Vandross: Live at Radio City Music Hall," is set for release Oct. 28.

Vandross' Sprits High Despite Stroke
Sat Nov 1,12:23 PM ET Add Entertainment - AP to My Yahoo!



NEW YORK - Despite his debilitating stroke, Luther Vandross (news) has been able to keep up his spirits throughout his ordeal, says the singer's personal assistant.


AP Photo



"His sense of humor is definitely intact," Max Szadek told The Associated Press in an interview this week. "Anyone would be depressed going though this, but he does bring a certain levity to the table with it."


Vandross, 52, suffered a life-threatening stroke in April. After some setbacks, he was released from a hospital to a rehabilitation center this summer and has been making progress, Szadek said. He can sing, walk with assistance — and will even correct your grammar.


Yet, Szadek said, Vandross is a long way from being fully recovered.


"Day to day, there's always going to be an inconsistency. That's the nature of the healing," he said. "So he is singing, but I don't want to mislead people that he's ready to perform next week. ... I think it's important for people to know that he is making progress, but it's slow going and it's steady."


Among the tasks Vandross is working on is trying to improve his short-term and long-term memory.


"I think he's performing to the best of his abilities, but it was a very serious injury," said Szadek.


Earlier this week, J Records released "Live at Radio City Music Hall," from Valentine's Day (news - web sites) performances Vandross did there in February. Szadek said Vandross is particularly proud of the album, his first live disc.


"I think he was showing people he was really at a pinnacle as a performer," Szadek said. "This performance is iconic in a way, because it really features everything he was about."

What a Blessing
 

He looks good!

*with tears in my eyes*

I'm happy to see him sitting up and looking good!

:D

Me too. Happy to see a smile on his face.

Go Lufer
 

I am happy to see he's doing better. The only thing that worries me is that his hands have the characteristic "claw" type grip of a stroke patient. I hope that he can make a full recovery and start touring again.

Ailing Vandross Unable to Attend Grammys
Tue Feb 3, 8:14 AM ET Add Entertainment - AP to My Yahoo!


By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer

NEW YORK - An ailing Luther Vandross (news) will not be able to attend Sunday's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where he's nominated for five awards, including song of the year for "Dance With My Father."

"It would have been a tremendous moment for Luther to attend the Grammy Awards this year," his business manager, Carmen Romano, said in a statement Monday. "But on the advice of his doctors, I regret to say that Luther won't be able to make this trip."


Vandross, 52, suffered a severe stroke last April, and spent several weeks in a hospital before being transferred to a rehabilitation facility in the New York City area. He is still in a wheelchair.


He's nominated for five Grammys (news - web sites) for his album "Dance With My Father." The album, which was released last summer, became the fast-selling disc of his career and has sold nearly two million copies. The title track is a song he co-wrote with Richard Marx (news) in which he pays tribute to his late father.


When the Grammy nominations were announced in December, Romano delivered the news personally to the singer. Vandross was so excited, he talked about attending the event; the nominations mark the first time the R&B crooner has been nominated in one of the major categories.


Although he won't be able to attend, Vandross will still be a major part of the ceremony. Celine Dion (news) and J Records labelmate Alicia Keys (news) will take part in a tribute to the star during the show, to be telecast live on CBS.


Meanwhile, Vandross' mother, Mary, has shot two public service announcements about diabetes, which played a role in Vandross' stroke. Her husband and another son died from the disease, according to a statement from Vandross' publicist.


___


On the Net:


http://www.luthervandross.com/index2.html

damndamndamn, LUTHER!!!!
 

I was really hurt when I heard this yeaterday. I thought it would have been really cool for him to show up, not even stay for the whole thing, but just to have him there would have been tremendous.

There is an article about Luther in today's Wall Street Journal and there is also one in next week's TV Guide.

The Verve Music Group and the American Diabetes Association to Kick Off "Write a Love Letter to Luther" National Fundraising Campaign on Behalf of Luther Vandross on August 3, 2004
Early Supporters of a "Love Letter to Luther Day" in Their Cities Include the Honorable Mayor James K. Hahn of Los Angeles; the Honorable Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields of New York; the Honorable Mayor Shirley Franklin of Atlanta; the Honorable Mayor Oscar B. Goodman of Las Vegas; the Honorable Mayor Charles Meeker of Raleigh, NC and the Honorable Mayor Laura Miller of Dallas

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/26/2004 -- On August 3, 2004, in association with the American Diabetes Association, The Verve Music Group will initiate an unprecedented fundraising and awareness campaign: "Write a Love Letter to Luther." Like the music of Luther Vandross, the effort is about the joy and beauty of the unselfish act of sharing/giving: to invite Luther's millions of fans to write him encouraging letters accompanied by a contribution to the American Diabetes Association.

This love letter campaign is launched in conjunction with the CD release of "Forever, For Always, For Luther" on Verve's GRP imprint. On "Forever, For Always For Luther" a blockbuster lineup of smooth jazz and soul stars celebrate the music of Luther Vandross, playing ten of his greatest hits. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has set up a dedicated web page (www.diabetes.org/letterstoluther) where Luther fans and supporters can send their " love letters" and contributions to benefit ADA's mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To reinforce this important effort, the mayors of Atlanta; Dallas; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; Raleigh, NC and the borough president of (Manhattan) New York will proclaim Tuesday, August 3rd as "Write a Love Letter to Luther Day" in each of their cities.

The Verve Music Group will also spread the word via CD packaging, advertising, online marketing, and point-of-purchase materials at retail, while the ADA will alert their members and constituency via mailings, fundraising events, and online. On October 22, 2004, a major radio-sponsored gala event to benefit ADA featuring the artists from "Forever, For Always, For Luther," along with special guests from the R&B world, will take place in New York City. At the concert ADA will present the love letters to Luther's family and announce up-to-minute results of the fundraising campaign.

On April 16, 2003, Luther Vandross suffered a diabetes-related stroke that put him in a coma for several weeks. Since he regained consciousness, the universally beloved vocalist has been on a long, arduous, yet successful journey towards full rehabilitation. In February of this year, four Grammy Awards lifted Luther's spirits. Even better news: on July 27th, the Verve Music Group will release an all-star tribute to his humanity and artistry, "Forever, For Always, For Luther," co-produced by Luther's longtime co-writer and arranger and friend Rex Rideout with Bud Harner.

"Forever, For Always, For Luther" features some of the brightest singers and players in smooth jazz (Kirk Whalum, Paul Jackson, Jr., Boney James, Lalah Hathaway, Mindi Abair, Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Ledisi, Richard Elliot, George Benson, and Rick Braun) performing ten of his most cherished songs. "I really enjoy and appreciate this wonderful jazz tribute to my son and his musical legacy," says his mother, Mary Ida Vandross.

Supporters can send their love letters to Luther along with their contributions to the American Diabetes Association, who will present all letters to Mr. Vandross and his family.

Please join Luther and The Verve Music Group in sending a contribution to:
American Diabetes Association
Forever, For Always, For Luther Fund
1701 North Beauregard
Alexandria, VA 22311

No donation is too small to make a difference.
All donations are tax deductible.
For more information call 1-800-DIABETES or visit
www.diabetes.org/letterstoluther
More than 18 million Americans have diabetes. Nearly one-third of them don't even know it. The unprecedented "Write a Love Letter to Luther" campaign and the subsequent concert will go a long way towards raising both national awareness of diabetes and supporting research for a cure. By celebrating Luther Vandross, we all can save lives.

For more information, contact, J'ai St. Laurent-Smyth, 212.331.2047 [jai.stlaurent-smyth@umusic.com]

"We are honored that these talented, influential artists have joined together on this beautiful tribute to Luther Vandross and to help support the American Diabetes Association and the many Americans affected by diabetes. Luther Vandross is a living legend who continues to inspire millions of fans across the country."

- Vaneeda Bennett, Chief Development Officer
American Diabetes Association
"The Luther Vandross project, 'Forever, For Always, For Luther,' combines a well-deserved tribute to a great artist as well as providing a vehicle for helping to raise money for an important charity, The American Diabetes Association. The Verve Music Group, through its GRP label, is proud to join Luther and his family in helping raise the level of awareness of this prevalent disease and we thank all of the artists and musicians who so generously gave their time and talent to this worthy project."

- Ron Goldstein, President & CEO
The Verve Music Group
"Forever, For Always, For Luther" -- in stores Tuesday, July 27th

For more information, contact:
J'ai St. Laurent-Smyth
212.331.2047
jai.stlaurent-smyth@umusic.com

R I P Luther :(

**tears**

Until I see it on CNN, I refuse to believe it

** sniff**

There is a small banner headline now on CNN. It says his death was confirmed but details would come later.

:(

Oh no, I can't believe this.

RIP Luther. :(

Oh No! But for some reason I am not surprised. :(

:eek: :( Nooooooo, not Lufa!!!! I must have been really out of the loop. I didn't know he was that sick.

I told my mom there were rumors that Luther had died and she told me that they are true and that they announced it on the news. I saw it on the CBS news and it's now on Yahoo.

My heart's breaking. I'll miss him so much. :(

RIP....Luther. I'm so sad....:( His mother must be really taking it hard. That was her last surviving child.

A friend and I were just wondering how Luther was doing this week. I've been in and out of the car all day, and did not think anything about hearing his songs on different radio stations. Then, folks started calling in with "stories". I knew something was up. Got on the phone and started calling folks. Then heard it on the radio. It literally made my hair stand up on my arms and gave me goose bumps.

Not sure why that was my reaction. So sad to hear this.

Also, made me immediately think about my health and that of my family (not in a selfish way). Just confirmed how things change from one day to the next.

Have a safe and healthy holiday everyone,

FUN

:(

I just found about this. They were playing all of his songs back-to-back on the radio. I deeply saddened. He was one of the greats. :(

He is at peace now...
 

I know that he's up there dancing with his father...

I kept praying for him to get better. I was so upset when I heard this on the radio. I truly grew up listening to this man's music (might have even been conceived to it).

There will be no other voice like Luther's...




:( :( :(

I am too thru! Just heartbroken! I am grateful that I-5 was quiet when I heard the news about his passing because I was driving home. I screamed NOOOOOOOOOOO! I woulda surely hit someone had it been rush hour!

Mr. 1228 knew how I was gonna take the news...which is why he didn't tell me when he first heard it

I am so gonna miss him! :( I loved me some Luther