Legendary singer, songwriter and record producer Luther Vandross won eight Grammy Awards in his storied R&B career. "He is the master of the love song," Oprah said during one of his 13 appearances on
The Oprah Show.
In 2003, Luther released the album
Dance with My Father, his only record to hit number one and his best-selling studio album ever. The album earned him four of his Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year.
Two months before
Dance with My Father hit stores, Luther suffered a massive stroke that left him in a coma for six weeks. In May 2004, he granted Oprah his first and only interview after his stroke, revealing that he planned to move forward from his setback with intense therapy and rehab. "I'll be singing at 80," he said.
One year later, Luther died at age 52. "He was the doctor of love," Oprah said during an
Oprah Show tribute to Luther that featured performances by Usher and Pattie LaBelle. "We miss him, and we love him."
Oprah said Luther had a lot to teach her. "I learned [from Luther] the meaning of living well," Oprah said. "He had Lalique glasses to drink Kool-Aid out of. He lived so fabulously."
A tribute to Luther Vandross
