20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (2024)

During his outstanding career. Luther Vandrossreached number one on the Billboard R&B album chart eight times (seven consecutive number one albums), and he recorded seven songs which hit the top of the singles chart.

01

of 20

1981: "Never Too Much"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (1)

Luther Vandross composed and produced the title song of his 1981 debut solo album which reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male.

02

of 20

1982: "A House Is Not A Home

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (2)

Luther Vandross covered Dionne Warwick's 1964 song "A House Is Not A Home" on his 1981 debut solo album, Never Too Much. His version was seven minutes long, and was always a highlight of his live performances.

03

of 20

1984: "Superstar"/"Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (3)

For his third solo album, Busy Body, Luther Vandross recorded a unique medley of The Carpenters' 1971 hit "Superstar" and Aretha Franklin's classic from 1973, "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)." It was always a magical moment when he performed the medley in concert.

04

of 20

1989: "Here and Now"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (4)

"Here and Now" was a number one Billboard R&B hit from the 1989 album, The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love. It earned him his first Grammy Award: Best Male R&dB Vocal Performance in 1991​ and was his first song to enter the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.

05

of 20

2003: "Dance With My Father"

"Dance With My Father" won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male in 2004. It was the title tune of Vandross' 13th solo album, and Dance With My Father also won Best R&B Album.

06

of 20

1980: "The Glow of Love" with Change

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (6)

Luther Vandross sang lead vocals on "The Glow of Love" by the Italian group Change which hit number one on the Billboard Dance chart in 1980.

07

of 20

1994: "Endless Love" with Mariah Carey

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (7)

Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey covered the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross classic "Endless Love" for his 1994 album, Songs.It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

08

of 20

2004: "The Closer I Get To You" with Beyonce

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (8)

Luther Vandross and Beyonce won Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2004 Grammy Awards for their version of the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway classic, "The Closer I Get To You."

09

of 20

1991: "Power of Love/Love Power"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (9)

"Power of Love/Love Power" from Luther Vandross' 1991 album, Power of Love, remained at number one for two weeks on the Billboard R&dB chart. Vandross received Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male, and Best R&B Song.

10

of 20

1988: "Any Love"

The title song of Luther Vandross' sixth album, Any Love, became his fourth Billboard R&B number one hit in 1988.

11

of 20

1984: "If This World Were Mine" with Cheryl Lynn

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (11)

Luther Vandross produced Cheryl Lynn's 1982 Instant Love album featuring their version of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic, "If This World Were Mine."

12

of 20

1994: "Always and Forever"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (12)

The classic "Always and Forever" was originally recorded by Heatwave in 1977. Luther Vandross covered it for his 1994 Songs album and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

13

of 20

1986: "If Only For One Night

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (13)

Brenda Russell recorded "If Only For One Night" on her 1979 debut solo album, and Luther Vandross spun his own magic on the song for his 1985 album, The Night I Fell in Love.

14

of 20

1986: "Give Me The Reason"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (14)

Luther Vandross hit number three on the Billboard R&B chart in 1986 with the title song of his fifth solo album, Give Me The Reason. The song was also included on the soundtrack of the movie Ruthless People starring Danny DeVito and Bette Midler, It received Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male and Best R&B Song.

15

of 20

1986: "Stop To Love"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (15)

"Stop To Love" from Luther Vandross's 1986 Give Me The Reason album was his second number one single on the Billboard R&B chart.

16

of 20

1983: "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" with Dionne Warwick

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (16)

Dionne Warwick was one of Luther Vandross' idols, and it was like a dream come true for him to record the duet "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" with her. It was the title song of her 1983 album which he produced.

17

of 20

1980: "Searching" with Change

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (17)

"Searching" was one of two songs (along with "The Glow Of Love") by the Italian group Change featuring lead vocals by Luther Vandross that hit number one on the Billboard dance chart in 1980.

18

of 20

1987: "So Amazing"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (18)

Luther Vandross received an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and a nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Album for Give Me The Reason in 1985. The enchanting ballad "So Amazing" was one of the singles from the album, and although it was not a major chart hit, it lived up to its name in concert and was always a favorite on tour.

19

of 20

1982: "Baby Boy/Having A Party"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (19)

Luther Vandross paid tribute to Sam Cooke by covering his 1962 hit "Having A Party" as a medley with an original song, "Bad Boy." "Bad Boy/Having a Party" was the first single from Vandross' second album, Forever, For Always, For Love, in 1982.

20

of 20

1985: "'Till My Baby Comes Home"

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (20)

"'Til My Baby Comes Home" was the first single from Luther Vandross' fourth consecutive number one platinum album, The Night I Fell In Love, released in 1985.

20 Reasons Why Luther Vandross is Unforgettable (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6633

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.