I really need to pay birthday tribute to Luther Ronzoni Vandross, Jr, one of my favorite artists ever in the history of the world, but I am SO tired. We’ll see what happens before midnight, but for now...

Ok, I don’t have the energy to do a proper full sermon for Luther on the occassion of his 67th birthday. But let’s do a quick devotional highlighting key aspects of the Book of Luther.

1. He and my mama went to the same high school in the Bronx (although my mom was in college when he got there). In HS he started the first ever Patti Labelle Fan Club. Their eventual friendship was tight and life long. We’ll talk more about that in a bit.

2. (I’ma lose count and abandon these #’s after ‘while. Fair warning)
Contrary to what his vocals suggest, Luther did *not* sing in church growing up. Here’s why...

3. Before backing vocals, session vocals, writing, arranging, all the pre-solo debut stuff, a teenaged Luther hung out with Big Bird and ‘nem with a theater group called Listen My Brother.
(Dude singing lead might legit be an Iota founder, IJS)

4. Lufa’ sang background for e’rybody. Streisand, Donna Summer, Chaka, Bette Midler, Diana Ross... and David Bowie. (Luther’s on the far left)

Luther not only sang background on the album and for the tour, he did the vocal arrangements for “Young Americans” and wrote a song on the album. His friendship with Bowie was also a career-long one.

5. Luther was a legendary vocal arranger, but he also wrote and produced. He wrote a large amount of his early stuff, had a successful period writing major commercial jingles, and wrote a couple other things that might be familiar to ya...

6. He recorded a couple of unsuccessful albums as part of a group, and then finally took his first turn as front man with the group Change, and recorded one of my instant-better-mood jams.

7. At some point in the late 70s, this look happened. I would pay somebody money to get me this actual video clip.

8. Change expected him to stay on for the next album, but he bounced for a solo deal with Epic, and NWTS

9. Luther was the MASTER of cover songs. He and long time writing and composing partner Nat Adderly, Jr would take a song, stretch it apart, put it back together...
(Dionne Warwick’s “Anyone Who Had a Heart”)

Luther would sing *your* song *to you*, and you just be like ”That is really a beautiful song ,” like you didn’t record it 20 years ago.

10. I know twitter be hating on Luther, but he is on every single “Greatest Singers of all Time” list in existence, called the Velvet Voice and the Black Pavarotti for a reason.
(“If Only for One Night” is also a cover)

Paul Simon got stuck between Luther and Jennifer Holliday singing HIS damn song, and just gave up.

11. Great Auntie Re was (allegedly) super cold to Luther when he worked with her, making him call her Ms. Franklin; diva antics. She pushed back on his choices asking “Who has more hits?” He asked “Who has *recent* hits?”
Aretha sang the dang song, too.

12. Back to Luther and Patti.
I couldn’t love this clip anymore, because I adore both of them so much. I don’t go in for alot of drama and antics in vocals generally, but these two... I live. I’m also ALWAYS here for Patti laid out in the floor.

My mom and I were on a road trip when we got the news Luther died, ans played him music the rest of the way. I watched his funeral from my bed at home, and was fine... until Patti.

13. Luther was part of the true family and camaraderie of R&B *vocalists* that I don’t think we have in the same way now. Like I said in the Auntie Divas sermons, *most* of the sAngers got along & showed love... except that one (we all know which one)

14. I can’t IMAGINE what it must have been like to sing *with* Luther: even a young MiMi said she was intimidated, but he would give you duets, honey.
I love watching them watch each other for cues in this clip.

But it didn’t always have to be full drama. This duet with Gregory Hines (who I also miss) is one of my faves.

15. (I gotta save some stuff for the day I do a full and proper Luther sermon) Just a reminder that Luther had a legit hit... a jam... in the 2000s, at the end of his career. More than one: “Dance With My Father” was one of his biggest songs.

#16.
There’s only one way to close this. If you’ve never heard the like 10+ minute live version of “Superstar” go look for “Superstar Medley” live from Radio City RAHT NOW and get your whole everything.

Happy Birthday, Luther.

And I heard Auntie Roberta was just rushed to the hospital from her show at the Apollo. So I’ll actually close with this.