Luther Vandross | |
|---|---|
 Vandross in 1985 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (1951-04-20)April 20, 1951 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 1, 2005(2005-07-01) (aged 54) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1969–2003 |
| Labels | |
| Website | luthervandross |
Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (/ˈvændroʊs/VAN-drohs; April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an AmericanR&B andsoul singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over his career, he achieved eleven consecutiveRIAA-certified platinum albums and sold over 40 million records worldwide.[1] Vandross was recognized byRolling Stone as one of the 200 greatest singers of all time (2023)[2] and was named one of the greatest R&B artists byBillboard.[3]NPR also included him among its50 Great Voices. He won eightGrammy Awards,[4] includingSong of the Year in2004 for "Dance with My Father".[5] He has been inducted into both theNational Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame and theGrammy Hall of Fame.[6]
Vandross began his music career in the late 1960s performing at theApollo Theater in New York City as part of a local musical ensemble. The group later appeared on the television showSesame Street in the early 1970s. He eventually established himself as a sought-after backing vocalist, contributing to albums byRoberta Flack,Donny Hathaway,Todd Rundgren,Evelyn "Champagne" King,Judy Collins,Chaka Khan,Bette Midler,Diana Ross,David Bowie,Ben E. King,Stevie Wonder,Laura Branigan andDonna Summer. In 1980, he served as the lead vocalist for the post-disco groupChange on their Gold-certified albumThe Glow of Love, released on Warner/RFC Records.
After Vandross left the group, he was signed toEpic Records as a solo artist and released his debut solo album,Never Too Much, in 1981. In 1982, he was credited as the primary producer onAretha Franklin's albumJump to it, which topped theBillboard R&B Albums chart. His hit songs include "Never Too Much", "Here and Now", "Any Love", "Power of Love/Love Power", "I Can Make It Better", and "For You to Love". He also recorded several covers of songs originally performed by other artists, including "Since I Lost My Baby", "Superstar", "I (Who Have Nothing)", and "Always and Forever".
Vandross collaborated on several notable duets, including "The Closer I Get to You" withBeyoncé, "Endless Love" withMariah Carey, and "The Best Things in Life Are Free" withJanet Jackson of which the latter two were hit songs in his career. The tribute albumSo Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross was released shortly after his death. In 2024,Kendrick Lamar andSZA released the chart-topping single "Luther", paying homage to Vandross and sampling his rendition of "If This World Were Mine", a duet withCheryl Lynn.[7] In January of that same year, he was the subject of the documentaryLuther: Never Too Much, which chronicles his life, career, and legacy.
Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.,[8] who was ofAfrican American heritage, was born on April 20, 1951, atBellevue Hospital, in theKips Bay neighborhood ofManhattan, New York City.[9] His birth occurred concurrently with GeneralDouglas MacArthur's ticker-tape parade throughout the same city. He was the fourth and youngest child (Patricia, Ann, Anthony)[10] as well as the younger son of Mary Ida Vandross and Luther Vandross Sr.[10] His father was anupholsterer and singer,[11] and his mother was a nurse.[12] Vandross was raised on Manhattan'sLower East Side in theAlfred E. Smith Housespublic housing development.[13] At the age of three, having his ownphonograph, Vandross taught himself to play the piano by ear.[8]
His father died ofdiabetes when Vandross was eight years old.[8][13][14] In 2003, Vandross wrote the song "Dance with My Father" and dedicated it to him; the title was based on his childhood memories and his mother's recollections of the family singing and dancing in the house. His family moved tothe Bronx when he was nine.[15] His older sisters, Patricia "Pat" and Ann, began taking Vandross to theApollo Theater and to a theater inBrooklyn to seeDionne Warwick andAretha Franklin perform.[8] Patricia sang with the vocal groupThe Crests[16] and was featured on the songs "My Juanita" and "Sweetest One".[11][17]
Vandross graduated fromWilliam Howard Taft High School in the Bronx in 1969,[16] and attendedWestern Michigan University for one and a half semesters before dropping out to continue pursuing a career in music.[18]
While in high school, Vandross founded the firstPatti LaBelle fan club, of which he was president.[16][19] He formed quartet with other students, and won a summer talent show.[20] Because each of the members attended different schooles, they broke up, and Vandross formed a new group, Shades of Jade,[20][8] that once played at theApollo Theater.[21] During his early years in show business, he appeared several times at the Apollo's famous amateur night.[8][22]
Vandross, along with some members of his previous two groups, joined Listen My Brother, a workshop group based at the Apollo Theater.[20] They released one single "Only Love Can Make a Better World".[21] The group performed in front of tens of thousands at theHarlem Cultural Festival in late August 1969.[23] Directly afterward, the group appeared in the pilot episode and other episodes of the first season ofSesame Street during 1969–1970.[24]
After graduating from high school in 1969, Vandross left New York to attend University in Michigan. However, he dropped out and returned home and attempted to enter the music industry.[25]
Vandross added backing vocals toRoberta Flack & Donny Hathaway in 1972,[26] and worked on Delores Hall'sHall-Mark album (1973). He sang with her on the song "Who's Gonna Make It Easier for Me", which he wrote, and he contributed another song, "In This Lonely Hour".[citation needed] After his song "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)" was re-written as "Fascination" withDavid Bowie for the latter'sYoung Americans (1975) album, Vandross went on to tour with him as a backing vocalist in September 1974.[27] Vandross wrote "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day" for the 1975 Broadway musicalThe Wiz.[11][18][28]
Vandross also sang backing vocals for artists includingRoberta Flack,[11]Chaka Khan,Ben E. King,Bette Midler,Diana Ross,Carly Simon,Barbra Streisand,David Bowie,Cat Stevens,Gary Glitter,Ringo Starr,Sister Sledge, andDonna Summer,[29][30] and for the bandsMandrill,Chic[28] andTodd Rundgren'sUtopia.[31] Before his solo breakthrough, Vandross was part of a singing quintet named Luther in the late 1970s. The quintet consisted of former Shades of Jade members Anthony Hinton and Diane Sumler, as well as Theresa V. Reed, andChristine Wiltshire, signed toCotillion Records. Although the singles "It's Good for the Soul", "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)",[28] and "The Second Time Around" were relatively successful, their two albums, the self-titledLuther (1976) andThis Close to You (1977), which Vandross produced, did not sell enough to make the charts. Vandross bought back the rights to those albums after Cotillion dropped the group, preventing them from being re-released.[32] Both albums were re-released in 2024.
Vandross also wrote and sang commercialjingles from 1977 until the early 1980s, for companies includingNBC,Mountain Dew,Kentucky Fried Chicken,Burger King, andJuicy Fruit.[11][13] He continued his successful career as a popular session singer during the late 1970s. His aforementioned song "Everybody Rejoice", sometimes called "A Brand New Day", was used in aKodak commercial during the mid-1970s.[33]
In 1978, Vandross sang lead vocals forGregg Diamond's disco band, Bionic Boogie, on the song titled "Hot Butterfly".[8] Also in 1978, he appeared onQuincy Jones'sSounds...and Stuff Like That!! most notably on the song "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning" along withPatti Austin.[34] Vandross also sang with the band Soirée and was the lead vocalist on the track "You Are the Sunshine of My Life"; he also contributed background vocals to the album along withJocelyn Brown andSharon Redd, each of whom also saw solo success. Additionally, he sang the lead vocals on the group Mascara's LP title song "See You in L.A." released in 1979. Vandross also appeared on the group Charme's 1979 albumLet It In.[citation needed]
Vandross made his career breakthrough as a featured singer with the vaunted pop-dance actChange, a studio concept created by French-Italian businessmanJacques Fred Petrus. Their 1980 hits, "The Glow of Love" (by Romani, Malavasi and Garfield) and "Searching" (by Malavasi), featured Vandross as the lead singer. In a 2001 interview withVibe, Vandross said "The Glow of Love" was "the most beautiful song I've ever sung in my life."[16] Both songs were from Change's debut album,The Glow of Love.
Vandross was originally intended to perform on their second and highly successful albumMiracles in 1981, but declined the offer as Petrus didn't pay enough money. Vandross's decision led to a recording contract withEpic Records that same year,[11] but he also provided background vocals on "Miracles" and on the new Petrus-created act, theB. B. & Q. Band in 1981. During that year, Vandross jump-started his second attempt at a solo career with his debut album,Never Too Much. In addition to the hit title track it contained a version of the Bacharach & David song "A House Is Not a Home".[11]
The song "Never Too Much", written by Vandross, reached No. 1 on the R&B charts. This period also marked the beginning of a songwriting collaboration with bassistMarcus Miller, who played on many of the tracks and would also produce or co-produce several tracks for Vandross. TheNever Too Much album was arranged by Vandross's high school classmate,Nat Adderley Jr., a collaboration that would last throughout Vandross's career.[35]
Vandross released a series of successful R&B albums during the 1980s and continued his session work with guest vocals on groups like Charme in 1982. Many of his earlier albums made a bigger impact on the R&B charts than on the pop charts. During the 1980s, two of Vandross's singles reached No. 1 on theBillboard R&B charts: "Stop to Love", in 1986, and a duet withGregory Hines, "There's Nothing Better Than Love".[36] Vandross was at the helm as producer for Aretha Franklin's Gold-certified, award-winning comeback albumJump to It.[37] He also produced its follow-up album, 1983'sGet It Right.[11][38]
In 1983, the opportunity to work with his main musical influence,Dionne Warwick, came about with Vandross producing, writing songs, and singing onHow Many Times Can We Say Goodbye, her fourth album forArista Records.[11][39] Thetitle track duet reached No. 27 on the Hot 100 chart (No. 7 R&B / No. 4Adult Contemporary),[40] while the second single, "Got a Date" was a moderate hit (No. 45 R&B / No. 15 Club Play).
Vandross wrote and produced "It's Hard for Me to Say" forDiana Ross from herRed Hot Rhythm & Blues album.[41] Ross performed the song as an a cappella tribute toOprah Winfrey on her final season ofThe Oprah Winfrey Show. She then proceeded to add it to her successful 2010–12 "More Today Than Yesterday: The Greatest Hits Tour. Vandross also recorded a version of this song on hisYour Secret Love album in 1996.
In 1985, Vandross first spotted the talent ofJimmy Salvemini, who was 15 at the time, onStar Search. He thought Salvemini had the perfect voice for some of his songs and contacted him. He was managed by his brother, Larry Salvemini. A contract was negotiated withElektra Records for $250,000 and Vandross agreed to produce the album. He contacted longtime friends–Cheryl Lynn,Alfa Anderson (ofChic),Phoebe Snow andIrene Cara–to appear on the record. Jimmy Salvemini's album,Roll It, was released in 1986.
Vandross also sang thead-libs andbackground vocals, along with Syreeta Wright and Philip Bailey, inStevie Wonder's 1985 hit "Part-Time Lover".[42] In 1984, he voiced a cartoon character named Zack forABC'sZack of All Trades, a three Saturday morning animatedPSA spots.[43] He sang as part of the background chorus on Bowie's 1986 single "Underground", from the movieLabyrinth.[44]
The 1989 compilation albumThe Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love included the ballad "Here and Now", his first single to chart in the Billboard pop chart top ten, peaking at No. 6.
In 1990, Vandross wrote, produced and sang background forWhitney Houston in a song titled "Who Do You Love" which appeared on her albumI'm Your Baby Tonight.[45] In the same year, he guest starred on the television sitcom227.[11][46] More albums followed in the 1990s, beginning with 1991'sPower of Love which spawned two top ten pop hits. He won his first Grammy award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in1991.[47] He won his second Best Male R&B Vocal in theGrammy Awards of 1992, and his track "Power of Love/Love Power" won theGrammy Award for Best R&B Song in the same year. In 1992, "The Best Things in Life Are Free", a duet withJanet Jackson from the movieMo' Money became a hit.[11] In 1993, he had a brief non-speaking role in theRobert Townsend movieThe Meteor Man.[48] He played a hit man who plotted to stop Townsend's title character.[46]
Vandross hit the top ten again in 1994, teaming withMariah Carey on acover version ofLionel Richie andDiana Ross's duet "Endless Love".[49] It was included on the albumSongs, a collection of songs that had inspired Vandross over the years. He also appears on "The Lady Is a Tramp" released onFrank Sinatra'sDuets album. At theGrammy Awards of 1997, he won his third Best Male R&B Vocal for the track "Your Secret Love".
A second greatest hits album, released in 1997, compiled most of his 1990s hits and was his final album released through Epic Records. After releasingI Know on Virgin Records, he signed withJ Records.[50] His first album onClive Davis's new label, titledLuther Vandross, was released in 2001, and it produced the hits "Take You Out" (No. 7 R&B / No. 26 Pop), and "I'd Rather" (No. 17 Adult Contemporary / No. 40 R&B / No. 83 Pop). Vandross scored at least one top 10 R&B hit every year from 1981 to 1994.
In 1997, Vandross sang the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", duringSuper Bowl XXXI at theLouisiana Superdome inNew Orleans.
He made two public appearances at Diana Ross'sReturn to Love Tour: at its opening in Philadelphia atFirst Union Spectrum and its final stop atMadison Square Garden on July 6, 2000.[51] In September 2001, Vandross performed a rendition ofMichael Jackson's hit song "Man in the Mirror" at Jackson's 30th Anniversary special, alongsideUsher and98 Degrees. In the spring of 2003, Vandross's last collaboration wasDoc Powell's song "What's Going On", a cover ofMarvin Gaye'sseminal 1971 original, from Powell's album97th and Columbus.
In 2003, Vandross released the albumDance with My Father. It sold 442,000 copies in the first week and debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard 200 album chart.[52][53] The title track of the same name, which was dedicated to Vandross's childhood memories of dancing with his father, won Vandross and his co-writer,Richard Marx, the 2004Grammy Award for Song of the Year.[11] The song also won Vandross his fourth and final award in theBest Male R&B Vocal Performance category.[11] The album was his only career No. 1 on theBillboard album chart. The video for the title track features various celebrities alongside their fathers and other family members.[54] The second single released from the album, "Think About You", was the No. 1 Urban Adult Contemporary Song of 2004 according toRadio & Records.
In 2003, after the televised NCAA Men's Basketball championship,CBS Sports gave "One Shining Moment" a new look. Vandross, who had been to only one basketball game in his life, was the new singer, and the video had none of the special effects, like glowing basketballs and star trails, that videos from previous years had. This song version is in use today.[55]
J Records released a song in 2006, "Shine" – an upbeat R&B track that samplesChic's disco song "My Forbidden Lover" – which reached No. 31 on theBillboard R&B chart.[56] The song was originally slated to be released on the soundtrack to the movie,The Fighting Temptations, but it was shelved. A later remix of the song peaked at No. 10 on the Club Play chart.[citation needed] "Shine" and a track titled "Got You Home" were previously unreleased songs onThe Ultimate Luther Vandross (2006), a greatest hits album onEpic Records/J Records/Legacy Recordings that was released August 22, 2006.[57]
On October 16, 2007, Epic Records/J Records/Legacy Recordings released a 4-disc boxed set titledLove, Luther. It features nearly all of Vandross's R&B and pop hits throughout his career, as well as unreleased live tracks, alternate versions, and outtakes from sessions that Vandross recorded. The set also includes "There's Only You", a version of which had originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 1987 filmMade in Heaven.[58][59] In October 2015, Sony Music released a re-configured edition of itsThe Essential Luther Vandross compilation containing three unreleased songs: "Love It, Love It" (which made its premiere a year prior on the UK compilationThe Greatest Hits), a live recording of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" withPaul Simon andJennifer Holliday, and a cover ofAstrud Gilberto's "Look to the Rainbow".[60]
Vandross never married and had no children.[61] His mother outlived all of her four children, and his three elder siblings along with his father all predeceased him due to complications of diabetes and asthma.[62][63]
In 2006,Bruce Vilanch, a friend and colleague of Vandross, toldOut magazine, "He said to me, 'No one knows I'm in the life.' ... He had very few sexual contacts".[64] According to Vilanch, Vandross experienced his longest romantic relationship with a man while living in Los Angeles during the late 1980s and early 1990s.[64] In December 2017, 12 years after his death, Vandross' friendPatti LaBelle confirmed that he was gay.[65] LaBelle further stated that "[Vandross] had a lot of lady fans" and "he just didn't want to upset the world".[66]
In December 1985, Vandross filed alibel suit against a British magazine after it attributed his 85-pound weight loss to AIDS. He weighed 325 pounds (147 kg) when he started a diet in May of that year.[67]
After signing Jimmy Salvemini and having completed his debut albumRoll It, Vandross, Salvemini, and Salvemini's brother and manager Larry decided to celebrate. On January 12, 1986, they were riding in Vandross's convertible onLaurel Canyon Boulevard, in the north section ofHollywood Hills in Los Angeles. Vandross was driving at 50 mph (80 km/h) in a 35 mph (56 km/h) zone when he veered across thedouble yellow center line of the two lane street, turned sideways and collided with the front of a southbound car, then swung around and hit another car head on.[67][68][69][70] Vandross and Salvemini were rushed to theCedars-Sinai Medical Center.[8][67]
Larry Salvemini, who was in the passenger seat, was killed in the collision. Vandross suffered three broken ribs, a broken hip, several bruises and facial cuts.[8][67] Jimmy Salvemini, who was in the back of the car, had cuts, bruises and contusions. Vandross facedvehicular manslaughter charges as a result of Larry's death, and his driving license was suspended for a year. There was no evidence that Vandross was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; he pleadedno contest to reckless driving. At first, the Salvemini family was supportive of Vandross, but later filed awrongful death suit against him. The case was settled out of court with a payment to the Salvemini family of about $630,000.[71]
Vandross haddiabetes andhypertension.[18][72] On April 16, 2003, he had a severe stroke at his home in New York City[18] and was in a coma for nearly two months.[73] The stroke affected his ability to speak and sing and required him to use a wheelchair.[74] He later regained the ability to walk.[75]
At the2004 Grammy Awards, Vandross appeared in a pre-taped video segment to accept his Song of the Year Award for "Dance With My Father", saying, "When I say good-bye, it's never for long, becauseI believe in the power of love" (Vandross sang the last six words).[18] His mother, Mary, accepted the award in person on his behalf. His last public appearance was on May 6, 2004, onThe Oprah Winfrey Show.[18] Vandross died on July 1, 2005, at theJFK Medical Center inEdison, New Jersey, at the age of 54 from a heart attack.[72]
Vandross's funeral was held atRiverside Church in New York City on July 8, 2005.[76]Aretha Franklin,Patti LaBelle,Stevie Wonder,Dionne Warwick andCissy Houston were among the speakers and singers at the service.[76][77] Vandross was buried atGeorge Washington Memorial Park inParamus, New Jersey.[78]
Possessing atenor vocal range,[12][18][79][80] Vandross was commonly referred to as "The Velvet Voice", and was sometimes called "The Best Voice of a Generation". He was also regarded as the "Pavarotti of Pop" by many critics.[81]
Vandross has been cited as an inspiration by a number of other artists, including112,Boyz II Men,D'Angelo,Hootie & the Blowfish,Jaheim,John Legend,Mint Condition,Ne-Yo,Ruben Studdard, andUsher.[82][83]Stokley Williams, the lead singer of Mint Condition, has said that he has "studied Luther for such a long time because he was the epitome of perfect tone." On his influence, John Legend has said, "All us people making slow jams now, we was inspired by the slow jams Luther Vandross was making."
In 2008, Vandross was ranked No. 54 onRolling Stone magazine's List of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Mariah Carey said in several interviews that standing next to Vandross while recording their duet "Endless Love" was intimidating.[84] In 2010,NPR included Vandross in its 50 Greatest Voices in recorded history, saying Vandross represents "the platinum standard for R&B song stylings." The announcement was made on NPR'sAll Things Considered on November 29, 2010.[85]
In 1999,Whitney Houston sang Vandross' "So Amazing" as a tribute to Vandross as he sat in the audience during theSoul Train Awards.Johnny Gill,El DeBarge, andKenny Lattimore provided background vocals. On July 27, 2004,GRP Records released a smooth jazz various artists tribute album,Forever, for Always, for Luther, including ten popular songs written by Vandross. The album featured vocal arrangements by Luther and was produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner. Rideout had co-authored songs, contributed arrangements and played keyboards on Vandross's final three albums. The tribute album was mixed by Ray Bardani, who recorded and mixed most of Luther's music over the years. It featured an ensemble of smooth jazz performers, many of whom had previously worked with Vandross.[86]
On September 20, 2005, the albumSo Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross was released. The album is a collection of some of his songs performed by various artists, includingPatti LaBelle,Stevie Wonder,Aretha Franklin,Mary J. Blige,Usher,Fantasia,Beyoncé,Donna Summer,Alicia Keys,Elton John,Celine Dion,Wyclef Jean,Babyface,John Legend,Angie Stone,Jamie Foxx, andTeddy Pendergrass. Aretha Franklin won a Grammy for her rendition of "A House Is Not a Home", and Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé won a Grammy for their cover of "So Amazing".[citation needed]
On November 21, 2006, saxophonistDave Koz released a follow-up to the earlier smooth jazz GRP tribute album, this time on his own Rendezvous Entertainment label, an album calledForever, for Always, for Luther Volume II, also produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner. Koz played on all the featured Luther Vandross tracks, which were recorded by various smooth jazz artists.[87] On April 20, 2021, Google celebrated his 70th birthday with aGoogle Doodle of an animated clip that plays Vandross's song "Never Too Much".[88]
The 2024 documentaryLuther: Never Too Much chronicles Vandross's life, career, and legacy.[89]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Luther Vandross | Best New Artist | Nominated |
| Never Too Much | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1983 | Forever, For Always, For Love | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| 1986 | The Night I Fell in Love | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| 1987 | "Give Me the Reason" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| Best R&B Song(shared with Nat Adderley Jr.) | Nominated | ||
| 1989 | "Any Love" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| Best R&B Song(shared with Marcus Miller) | Nominated | ||
| 1990 | "She Won't Talk to Me" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| 1991 | "Here and Now" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Won |
| 1992 | "Power of Love/Love Power" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Won |
| Best R&B Song(with Marcus Miller and Teddy Vann) | Won | ||
| "Doctor's Orders"(withAretha Franklin) | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| 1993 | "The Best Things in Life Are Free"(withJanet Jackson) | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated |
| 1994 | "How Deep Is Your Love" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| "Heaven Knows" | Best R&B Song(shared withReed Vertelney) | Nominated | |
| "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" | Best R&B Song(shared with Marcus Miller) | Nominated | |
| 1995 | "Love the One You're With" | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| "Endless Love"(withMariah Carey) | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Nominated | |
| "Always and Forever" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| Songs | Best R&B Album | Nominated | |
| 1997 | "Your Secret Love" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Won |
| Best R&B Song(shared with Reed Vertelney) | Nominated | ||
| 1998 | "When You Call on Me / Baby That's When I Come Runnin'" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| 1999 | "I Know" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| I Know | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated | |
| 2003 | "Any Day Now" | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated |
| 2004 | "Dance with My Father" | Song of the Year(shared with Richard Marx) | Won |
| Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Won | ||
| Best R&B Song(shared with Richard Marx) | Nominated | ||
| "The Closer I Get to You"(withBeyoncé) | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Won | |
| Dance with My Father | Best R&B Album | Won | |
| 2007 | "Got You Home" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Give Me the Reason | Best R&B/Soul Album – Male | Won |
| "Give Me the Reason" | Best R&B/Soul Single – Male | Nominated | |
| 1988 | "So Amazing" | Best R&B/Soul Single – Male | Nominated |
| 1989 | Any Love | Best R&B/Soul Album – Male | Nominated |
| 1990 | The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love | Best R&B/Soul Album – Male | Nominated |
| "Here and Now" | Best R&B/Soul Single – Male | Won | |
| Best Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1992 | Power of Love | Best R&B/Soul Album – Male | Won |
| "Power of Love/Love Power" | Best R&B/Soul Single – Male | Nominated | |
| 1994 | Never Let Me Go | Best R&B/Soul Album – Male | Nominated |
| "Heaven Knows" | Best R&B/Soul Single – Male | Nominated | |
| 1995 | Songs | Best R&B/Soul Album – Male | Nominated |
| 1999 | Luther Vandross | Quincy Jones Award for Career Achievement | Honour |
| 2004 | Dance with My Father | Best Album of the Year | Nominated |
| Best R&B/Soul Album – Male | Nominated | ||
| "Dance with My Father" | Best R&B/Soul Single – Male | Won | |
| 2005 | "The Closer I Get to You"(with Beyoncé) | Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Nominated |
| The Night I Fell in Love | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | Nominated | |
| 1988 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| Give Me the Reason | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | Nominated | |
| 1990 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| 1992 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| Power of Love | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | Won | |
| 1994 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| 1996 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| 2002 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| 2003 | Luther Vandross | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| Dance with My Father | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Luther Vandross | Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame | Inducted |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Never Too Much | Grammy Hall of Fame | Inducted |
