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.