Vandross credited Flack for prodding him to move into the spotlight after listening to one of his future hits, 'Never Too Much.' He wrote songs for projects as varied as a David Bowie album ('Fascination') and the Broadway musical 'The Wiz' ('Everybody Rejoice (Brand New Day)'), sang backup for acts such as Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand, and even became a leading commercial jingle singer. 'You blatantly state stuff sometimes when you can't think of a a poetic way to say it.'ДЄ career in music seemed predestined for the New York native both his parents were singers, and his sister, Patricia, was part of a 1950s group called the Crests.Д«ut he happily toiled in the musical background for years before he would have his first hit. 'I'm more into poetry and metaphor, and I would much rather imply something rather than to blatantly state it,' he said. While many of his contemporaries and successors belted out tunes that were sexually charged and explicit, Vandross preferred soft pillow talk and songs that spoke to heartfelt emotions. Vandross' style harkened back to a more genteel era of crooning. 'I was never compared to anyone in terms of sound.' 'I'm proud of that - it's one of the things that I'm most proud of,' he told The Associated Press in a 2001 interview. Vandross' sound was so unusual few tried to copy it even fewer could. In 2005, he was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for a duet with Beyonce on 'The Closer I Get To You.' It was the first time a Vandross album had topped the charts in its first week of release. 1 on the Billboard charts while Vandross remained hospitalized from his stroke. The album, with its single of the same name, debuted at No. Vandross was a four-time Grammy winner in the best male R&B performance category, taking home the trophy in 1990 for the single 'Here and Now,' in 1991 for his album 'Power of Love,' in 1996 for the track 'Your Secret Love' and a last time for 'Dance With My Father.' He was not born to keep it smothered in the chest.' 'He was the kind of guy who was born to do what he did musically and let the world know about it. 'He was a musician who couldn't help but give you all he had,' she said by telephone. Singer Roberta Flack, on tour in Japan, said she was mourning the loss of her friend of more than 20 years. O'Conner said he received condolence calls Friday from music luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. He was a close friend of mine and right now it's shocking.'

Jeff O'Conner, Vandross' publicist, called his death 'a huge loss in the R&B industry.

He made women swoon with his silky yet forceful tenor, which he often revved up like a motor engine before reaching his beautiful crescendos. He was arguably the most celebrated R&B balladeer of his generation. Vandross also battled weight problems for years while suffering from diabetes and hypertension. 'Because' - he broke into his familiar hit - 'I believe in the power of love.' 'Remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long,' said a weak-looking Vandross. Vandross, who was still in a wheelchair at the time, delivered a videotaped thank you. In 2004, he captured four Grammys as a sentimental favorite, including best song for the bittersweet 'Dance With My Father.' Since the stroke in his Manhattan home on April 16, 2003, the R&B crooner stopped making public appearances - but amazingly managed to continue his recording career. He did not release the cause of death but said in a statement that Vandross 'never really recovered from' a stroke two years ago. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., said hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh. NEW YORK -Grammy award winner Luther Vandross, whose deep, lush voice on such hits as 'Here and Now' and 'Any Love' sold more than 25 million albums while providing the romantic backdrop for millions of couples worldwide, died Friday. By Nekesa Mumbi Moody, AP Music Writer | July 1, 2005

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