R. Kelly
TP.3 Reloaded
I dunno about his personal life, but the dude can sure as hell tell a story.
This song, this chapter being the most shocking of 'em all, is totally off the hook.
He, like Mike, like George, and like Prince before him, will go down as the most respected songwriter I've listened to.
Again, not withstanding his personal life...
Reggae Carifest 2005 is coming this Sunday! According to the ticket, cameras aren't allowed. But you know me; I'll find some way to get Ele's pic!
Luther Vandross
4/20/1951 - 7/1/2005
My God. You had to take him. Way too soon.
Fascinating tales come with this man. I'm absolutely certain that my parents never met him, knew him, or seen him live. But he has been such a huge part of our lives from as far back as I can remember. In fact, his first album, the double platinum Never Too Much debuted a few months before my birthday. And since then, my parents were so into him...
There's Nothing Better Than Love
Luther Vandross with Gregory Hines
The Essential Luther Vandross
Another fascinating thing I just remembered: It was this exact same song I was listening to on the year (and month) of the blackout when Gregory Hines passed away. In my mind, I thought we lost an important figure in our black community in the Tap Dance master. But Luther's gonna have to take the cake.
You see, growing up, most people look to Elvis, and Marvin, and Smokey, and Jackie, and Barry for their crooning abilities. The ability to sweep the females off their feet usually lied on their shoulders. Currently, the likes of Usher, Justin, and Josh (yeah, I found out that that Groban character actually has a following!) fill that spot. But for me, and others in my time, we had one man, one voice, and a hell of a library to choose from. We had Luther. Never Too Much, So Amazing, Make Me A Believer, Don't You Know That?, Any Love, If Only For One Night, Creepin, Stop To Love, Love Power/The Power Of Love...
The list goes on and on.
I have all of his compilations on CD; dad has his albums on record. And every Sunday night, we chilled with him, Ron Isley, and the more recent acts of the time. When mom came home, and wanted to crank her music like a teenager, if it wasn't Whitney, Aretha, or Regina, it was most likely Luther. I serenaded my first girlfriend with If Only For One Night. And when I lost her, what was I crying to? Since I Lost My Baby. Ahh the memories...
All of us were avid supporters of Luther Vandross. He was to live on and be remembered as the best R&B crooner of our time. He and Anita Baker would sit atop the R&B throne, with Beyonce and Co. begging for another duet. Alas, there will be no more albums to make. 'Cause The Man went to be with The Man Upstairs. Whoa, I'm gonna miss him.
What makes his death the most memorable however will be how I found out about it. That Friday, the sun was shining, the weather was sweet, the birds were singing, the children were playing. There was plenty of work, and the boss (well, the boss' assistant, anyway) was a huge pain. As the bank closed, and I proved my register, the sky was getting cloudy. And dark. After seeing War of The Worlds, I started getting some ideas. Nah, I thought. In any event, I wrapped up my cash, ran my errands for the day, and walked out the door...
...and into the rain. Quite unusual. My luck is NOT that bad. I dried off in the bus heading home, and got a phone call from a former co-worker who just happened to be in a wake near my crib. I got off the bus and rendezvoused with him at the wake. As we started talking, the skies started to clear a little bit. And then, he belts out the news:
"Yo, did you know Luther Vandross just died five minutes ago?!"
You lie! I thought he was recovering from his stroke and everything?!
"He was! Apparently something happened and... Dude! He was in New Jersey since early this week!"
Wait, he was in Jersey?! All this time? Yo, I still don't believe it. He's as old as my parents!
"You're telling me! Looks like they're gonna do another concert for him. And they should blow it up this time!"
You're right. Aww man. Whoa, so that explains it...
"Explains what?"
Why it's raining now! With Luther heading up there, it got real gloomy out, as though God didn't want him to go, and so He wept! Luther's passing really brought out a dark day for us! Well, for me at least.
"Yeah, that's really true. I'm gonna miss him, man."
I most of all. His music's been with me since birth. Literally.
This is the last photo op he did before the stroke. I wish to put a better pic of him though to commemorate his memory. If anyone of you's would like to submit one that you think would be better for his memoriam, send it to me, and I'll courtesy the owner of the picture.
Another tidbit I'll share: The Smooth Jazz concert for Luther. I went in there, perhaps for a chance to try Any Love. And when I sat down, I was surrounded by this sea of thiry-fourty something-year-old people. I remember desperately searching for some younger faces to engage with, but none to be found when lights went out and the show started. I wanted to weep, and refused to cry; 'cuz I believe in the power... of love.
Mr. Vandross: There is only one possible silver lining I can find throughout all of this: at least you now posess the ability to dance with your father again. And now that you're gone from us, I hope you enjoy being in his, and God's company. I will miss you, your magic, and everything you brought to the table, which essentially, was everything. Rest in Peace...