Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross

This book gives you the insights of this musical genius! The constant struggles he encountered in his life, pathways traveled trying to become a successful artist, his insecurities etc… but ultimately achieving his lifelong goal and dreams performing/creating music becoming one of the most successful musical artists of all time! My goodness all the artists that he did BGV’S on their albums and tours not to mention all the jingles we heard everyday on TV not knowing it was Luther! There will never ever be another Luther Vandross! That silky voice is surely missed! This book was an excellent read.

Such an awesome read, offering the reader a glimpse into the life of one of the greatest vocalists of our time.

I first read this book when it first came out, not toolong after Luther's tragic passing.Luther was a true talent and he had to overcome somany obstacles: his weight fluctuations, anxietal-depressiveeating, the fact that he wasn't a conventionally handsome manby entertainment industry standards, as well as his own personalinner turmoil. But he did it with the sheer power, beauty,and penetrative quality of his god-gifted voice that cutthrough everything that lay in it's path!Luther Vandross's voice stands alongside all the soulfulgreats of the past: Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, etc.,and his musical legacy will never be forgotten.He grew up in NYC, in the projects, in a house filled with love.He absolutely lived for good music and good food!--Both being very comforting to his shy and introverted nature!He lived for Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross & The Supremes,Patti Labelle & The Bluebelles, as well as all of theother musical greats of the 60's and 70's!Music was his life's design from an early age, and he madeit happen through the sheer force of his will & talent!I think this author gives a good inner and outer portraitof Luther..his good points, his bad points, his fears &anxieties, etc. I have always felt that he struggled withhis sexuality as far as being able to be open about it andcomfortable with it outside of his trusted inner circle.His fears were well founded, given the homophobia and stigmaabout homosexuality within the black community.His music was, after all, the music of love and manya woman swooned over his voice as well as manyheterosexual couples who fell in love, got married, playedthe break up/makeup game, and made babies all with his musicas the soothing backdrop.Also, add to this, the generation that Luther was apart of,who thought that one's sexuality was something that wasshameful and should be kept under wraps.I can understand that Luther, after so many years ofstruggling to make it, didn't want to jeapordize hiscareer in anyway! As far as I'm concerned, I would'veloved Luther and bought his albums no matter what!He was simply, the truth!So I don't begrudge his decision to neither deny norconfirm his sexuality out in the open. (Who Cares!)I loved all the great stories of Luther on the road withDavid Bowie, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack and others as herose up from nothing to become one of NYC's bestsession/back-up/jingle vocalists and learned much aboutthe behind the scenes inner workings of the music industry,which would serve him all too well later on in his careerwhen he would score platinum and double platinumover and over again! (-:If he lived for Diana, Patti, Gladys and Dionne...he absolutely burned incense and made offerings at the alterof one Ms. ARETHA FRANKLIN!!He called himself an "ARETHACOLOGIST", and swooned overher every nuance and vocal flourish!--Dreaming of the daywhen he would get to work with her and all of his other idols...and boy, did he make it happen!This book starts at the point of his debiliating stroke,which, followed by a sudden heart attack, silenced hisgreat voice forever on July 1, 2005.Then it travels back throughout his amazing journey filledwith love, laughter, pain, struggle, divatude, and allthe good things that make up a good biography!Kudos again to the author, and I would tell anybody to buy this book!Rest In Peace Luther Vandross!! (April 20th, 1951 - July 1st, 2005)

This was one of the greatest books I have read in such a long time. Wonderful insight into one of the greatest performers that lived in my life time. I would invite anyone who has a Heart to read this book about a master performer!

I had no idea of all things he did growing, his hard work, whom he worked with, his talent at arranging and producing and the list goes on. I admire him even more, gone too soon🌷🍃

I think it was an overall great book . It wasn’t a gossipy read . It held to standard of the late Great and Iconic Luther Vandross . It told his story in honest manner . The King of R&B , the Greatest Male Vocalist Ever . His music and legacy lives on .

It is often said, though unsure of how meaningful, that life can be blessed with dreams so vividl realized. Nothing quite captures the night I was invited to an "Ashford & Simpson/Radio City After Party". One of my beloved friends, Jay, Executive Administator of Marketing" at Radio City not only added me to this exclusive music industry guest list, BUT, seated at my table was the guest of honor(s), Nick & Val, still there was more.......the Effervescent Mr. Luther Vandross and his close friend and ofttimes vocal collaborator, Fonzi Thorton gracefully completed my evening's entourage. Luther, by that time, was to the late 80s/early 90s Urban Contemporary scene, what Ashford & Simpson previously reigned supreme the entire 70s decade. So it is fair to say that I humbly sat court side at the evening's most coveted table.If that were not enough to create an unbelievable affair, Luther and I spent most of the evening paying homage to the one and only Diva Divine Diana.As immediately, repeatedly stated in this entertaining opus, Luther lived for the Supreme Dark Divas, Diana, Aretha and Dionne. So many serendipitous moments in Luther's life mirrored mine anticipating the magical moments, pre-Internet/DVD Home recording era, Diana Ross & The Supremes graced the diminutive video equipment or celebrating the miraculous Aretha journey from the church to smokey venues or transforming one of Dionne's delivery of a Bacharach/David forthcoming classic into the definitive version.In this era of video editing, there seems to be a lost appreciation of the talent these ladies continuously displayed every night.In a more personal portrait, it cuts too deep to consider a man who could convincingly croon about love, may possibly been denied the chance to fully experience it for himself.As Diana divinely danced with Fred Ross, Aretha testified on the dance floor Rev. C.L. Franklin or Whitney and John Houston tripped the light fantastic to Luther's "Dance with My Father", he posthumously relished Grammys, many of them including "Record/Song of the Year"......"It's Hard for Me to Say"........this was long overdue.

I choose five stars for Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross because I always wondered about certain aspects of his life, specifically his love life. I admire Luther for never disclosing this information. This was an interesting read for me considering that my mother always listened to Luther when I was young which carried over to me listening to him even as a teenager.

Well written, easy to read and a real page turner. The only negative comment I would say woud be that I wished that there was more on a personal level because it feels as if 90% of the book is only about his career...So again if the story was mixed with a little bit more on his personal life it would have been more interesting to read. I'm at about 3/4 of the book and I feel as if I am just reading someonr'd resume. So by adding some personal reliable stories from friends or others would have made the story somewhat more interesting for me.

Really enjoyed this book on the late great Luther Vandross. Very happy to be able to learn more about the legend with the golden voice.

More about Luther’s career than ‘Luther the man’ which is what I wanted to read. As a big fan I could have googled career information so I was disappointed.

This is a fascinating and bittersweet insight into one of the greatest singers to grace this earth. Luthur's voice was like no other, and it took years and many challenges for him to get the recognition he truly deserved. He was greatly admired by his musical peers and his fans alike. An intensely private person whose music was loved by many and is solely missed.

I believe this probably just about the only book on the great Luther. That is very sad, because in my view he was one of the great singers. I hope that Luther will always be remembered as one of the greatest, but I am afraid the way radio, tv and the industry is that will not be the case. The book itself had a lot of information which I was not aware, contractually, tour wise and how driven Luther was. It was also very sad to hear how arrogant and undervauled he felt about his career. He may not have the worldwide no.1 pop hit he wannted, but for the millions of records he sold and concerts he sold out, it was a great achievement. I think we all knew about his personal loneliness, but the depression and lack of generosity at times...well that was knew. The book is as good as we are going to get Luther. I cannot see another writer taking the time and making the effort to write a book. It would be good to see a documentary, as well put together as the Nile Rodgers one recently shown on TV.I just want to say to Luther thanks for memories, we have the CDs and can enjoy that forever.