Luther Vandross was an American R&B and Soul singer who began performing in high school.  He also sang on the Quincy Jones album “Best” when he was 18.  He went on to pursue a career in music, quitting Western Michigan University after only one year.  Roberta Flack saw his talent as a singer, song writer and producer and encouraged him to continue his career in music.

His break through came in the 1980’s with as a singer in the group ‘Change’.  He released a series of successful albums during the 1980’s and into the 1990’s.  He garnered eith Grammy awards, and sold over 25 million albums.

In 2003 Vandross suffered a stroke from which he never recovered.  He died in 2005 of unknown causes.