Luther
Vandross Slowly Improving August
14, 2003 - According to a Luther Vandross spokesman the singer is improving but
don't expect to see him on stage anytime soon. Lois Najarian told the press, "Vandross
can now move the right side of his body but says she doesn't want to give the
impression that miracles are taking place and that he's going to be up and singing
right away." Vandross who suffered a stroke in April has good days and bad
days. We wish him well.
Luther
Vandross Number One In Billboard June
18, 2003 - Luther Vandross may be out of commission since suffering a stroke but
he's certainly not forgotten. The singer's new album "Dance With My Father"
has just debuted at number one making it his first debut in the top spot. Vandross
who has sold over twenty million albums in his career had sales of 440,000 in
its first week of release. Meanwhile Vandross continues to improve since suffering
the stroke on April 16th, last week he was taken out of intensive care.
Essence
Festival Plans Luther Vandross Tribute June
17, 2003 - Luther Vandross was a planned guest for this years Essence Music Festival
but instead the singer will be celebrated in a special tribute. Vandross who suffered
a stroke on April 16th woke from his coma last week and was mouthing words according
to friends and family but his prognosis is still uncertain. Patti LaBelle, Gerald
Levert, Faith Evans, Ashanti, Kelly Price, and the Luther Vandross Band will perform
the special tribute July 4th at New Orleans' Louisiana Superdome. Proceeds from
the concert will be donated to a charity chosen by the Vandross family. Essence's
editorial director Susan L. Taylor said in a statement, "Essence wants to
embrace the outpouring of love and support everyone is offering Luther,"
adding, "So many people have asked us to tell him and his family they are
praying for his full recovery. There's no better way to offer our prayers and
love to Luther than to tribute him in the slot in which he was to perform."
Vandross is currently at New York's Weill-Cornell Medical Center. Last week he
was taken out of intensive care.
Luther
Vandross Out Of Intensive Care June
13, 2003 - The news keeps getting better for Luther Vandross. The singer who suffered
a stroke on April 16th has been taken out of Intensive care. Vandross' business
manager Carmen Romano told the media "I am happy to report that Luther Vandross
continues to improve and that he is more and more responsive each day. Perhaps
most significantly, he is no longer in the Intensive Care unit. I feel as though
I am watching a modern day miracle," Vandross is currently at New York's
Weill-Cornell Medical Center. Luther
Vandross Aware of His Latest Chart Success June
12, 2003 - As reported earlier on Smooth Jazz Now Luther Vandross is awake and
new reports suggest the singer is following the progress of his new single "Dance
with My Father." Vandross' personal assistant has been showing him industry
trade magazine's with charts featuring the new hit. Vandross cannot speak because
of breathing apparatus but he seems very aware of his surrounding according to
inside sources. Vandross' new album "Dance with My Father" was released
on Tuesday(June10th). The title track is Vandross' emotional tribute to his dad
who died when Luther was only seven. Luther Vandross suffered a stroke on April
16th. Luther
Vandross is Awake June
6, 2003 - It's wonderful news! Luther Vandross is awake and has been for a week.
Vandross who suffered a stroke on April 16th is conscious and according to his
family and friends he can "mouth words and nod his head." He can't try
to speak yet because he still has a breathing tube in his throat. Luther Vandross Still in Intensive Care May
23, 2003 - It looks like not much has changed with Luther Vandross' condition
- he remains in intensive care at a New York hospital after suffering a stroke
April 16th. Earlier this week close friend Quincy Jones talked with Wolf Blitzer
on CNN and said he's "very worried" about Vandross. The singer is still
on oxygen and has had a brain operation according to Jones. As for the cause of
the stroke Jones says it could have been "a weight situation" but added
he really didn't want to guess.
Luther
Vandross Still Not Breathing on His Own May
10, 2003 - Though It was reported by some newspapers Thursday that Luther Vandross
was breathing on his own It looks like that information was incorrect. Vandross'
mother was told that the tube inserted in her son's throat to help him breathe
was removed but it turns out that this was not true. Vandross' publicist says
"there's been no radical change in his condition." Vandross suffered
a stroke on April 16, 2003. Aretha
Franklin plans vigil for Vandross May
10, 2003 - Pop diva Aretha Franklin will hold a candlelight vigil and prayer service
on May 19 for singer Luther Vandross, who remains in critical condition after
suffering a stroke last month. Franklin will be joined by The Four Tops, the Ebenezer
Mass Choir and other guests to sing and pray for a two-hour period at the Little
Rock Baptist Church. Vandross has not regained consciousness since his stroke
on April 16 and still needs assistance to breathe, his New York-based publicist,
Lois Najarian, says. His family reports that doctors remain hopeful that the 52-year-old
Grammy-winning singer, whose hits include Here and Now and Superstar will regain
consciousness. Prayers
For Luther Vandross May
2, 2003 - Since Luther Vandross suffered
a stroke on April 16th family, friends and fans have been sending the singer well
wishes in the form of emails, cards, flowers and prayers. Alicia Keys says she
just wants him to wake up "and smile that smile.'' Canada's Deborah Cox says
Vandross is not only a great musician, but "incredibly warm and funny.''
So far Vandross has not regained full consciousness since the stroke and spokesman
for his label J Records have said that progress evaluation is on a day to day
basis. Email
Luther Vandross May
1, 2003 - Friends and family of Luther Vandross are encouraged by the messages
being sent to the singer through his Web site. A spokeswoman for his record label,
J-Records, says there have been more than 10-thousand messages sent to the site
since it was set up recently. Lois Najarian says those close to the singer are
strengthened by the messages. As she puts it, ``all the positive energy really
helps.'' The e-mail address to send messages to Vandross is tolutherwithlove@luthervandross.com
. Luther
Vandross "minimally responsive'' Neurological Functions April
28, 2003 - It's not good news for Luther
Vandross as doctors described his neurological functions as "minimally
responsive'' after suffering a stroke on April 16th. Business manager Carmen Romano
says Vandross hasn't opened his eyes or spoken since suffering the stroke and
he's also battling pneumonia, one of several infections he has had since he was
stricken. Romano said in a statement that "we're waiting for him to regain
full consciousness. I am told that this may take some time." It turns out
that Vandross was alone for hours after suffering stroke in
his Manhattan home before finally being discovered . Doctors
have inserted a tube into his throat to help him breathe. The tracheotomy was
done in such a way that his vocal cords weren't affected. He remains in intensive
care in hospital in New York. Spokesperson Lois Najarian said doctors haven't
been able to determine whether Vandross suffered any permanent neurological damage
from the stroke, such as paralysis. As for his prognosis, she said: "I think
it's a day-to-day analysis of the situation; no one really knows what to expect." Luther
Vandross Showing Signs of Recovery after Stroke April
25, 2003 - Doctors are saying Luther Vandross may not have suffered damage to
the portion of the brain that controls speech. Spokesperson Lois Najarian says
Vandross is showing signs of recovery and is in critical but stable condition
after suffering a stroke on April 16. Najarian said in a statement released Wednesday
"The family and friends of Luther Vandross appreciate the national prayer
vigil that was held [Wednesday] across the country," adding "The prayers
must be working! Luther Vandross has shown the first positive signs that his recovery
is underway."
(see "Luther Vandross Suffers Stroke" below). Najarian said that Vandross
would be conscious if he were not so heavily sedated in order to keep him comfortable.
He is expected to regain some consciousness over the next few days, she said.
Vandross was scheduled to be the guest judge on "American Idol" on May
6. His new album Dance With My Father will still be released on June 10 according
to J Records. The title track from the album will be performed by former "American
Idol" contestant Tamyra Gray on an April 28 episode of "Boston Public"
Najarian said that the show's creator, David E. Kelley, "fell in love with
the song and built an entire episode around it." The new album will feature
Beyoncé Knowles of Destiny's Child, Busta Rhymes, Stevie Wonder, Foxy Brown
and Queen Latifah. Luther
Vandross Suffers Stroke April
21, 2003 - Luther Vandross suffered a stroke on Wednesday, April 16th just four
days before his 52nd birthday. Though no details have been released business manager,
Carmen Romano confirmed that Vandross was under medical care adding "his
family and friends are hopeful for a speedy recovery." Vandross is to release
his 15th album 'Dance With My Father', on June 10th featuring a cover of the Roberta
Flack hit The Closer I Get To You featuring Destiny Child's Beyonce Knowles. Also
on the album will be guest spots from Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah, Foxy Brown,
and Stevie Wonder. Everyone at Smooth Jazz Now wishes Luther a quick recovery.
Update : Reuters News is reporting Vandross is in Critical but stable condition
hospitalized at the Weill Cornell Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Want
to volunteer for 'Smooth Jazz Now' email us here
August
14, 2003 - According to a Luther Vandross spokesman the singer is improving but
don't expect to see him on stage anytime soon. Lois Najarian told the press, "Vandross
can now move the right side of his body but says she doesn't want to give the
impression that miracles are taking place and that he's going to be up and singing
right away." Vandross who suffered a stroke in April has good days and bad
days. We wish him well.
June
18, 2003 - Luther Vandross may be out of commission since suffering a stroke but
he's certainly not forgotten. The singer's new album "Dance With My Father"
has just debuted at number one making it his first debut in the top spot. Vandross
who has sold over twenty million albums in his career had sales of 440,000 in
its first week of release. Meanwhile Vandross continues to improve since suffering
the stroke on April 16th, last week he was taken out of intensive care.
June
17, 2003 - Luther Vandross was a planned guest for this years Essence Music Festival
but instead the singer will be celebrated in a special tribute. Vandross who suffered
a stroke on April 16th woke from his coma last week and was mouthing words according
to friends and family but his prognosis is still uncertain. Patti LaBelle, Gerald
Levert, Faith Evans, Ashanti, Kelly Price, and the Luther Vandross Band will perform
the special tribute July 4th at New Orleans' Louisiana Superdome. Proceeds from
the concert will be donated to a charity chosen by the Vandross family. Essence's
editorial director Susan L. Taylor said in a statement, "Essence wants to
embrace the outpouring of love and support everyone is offering Luther,"
adding, "So many people have asked us to tell him and his family they are
praying for his full recovery. There's no better way to offer our prayers and
love to Luther than to tribute him in the slot in which he was to perform."
Vandross is currently at New York's Weill-Cornell Medical Center. Last week he
was taken out of intensive care.
June
12, 2003 - As reported earlier on Smooth Jazz Now Luther Vandross is awake and
new reports suggest the singer is following the progress of his new single "Dance
with My Father." Vandross' personal assistant has been showing him industry
trade magazine's with charts featuring the new hit. Vandross cannot speak because
of breathing apparatus but he seems very aware of his surrounding according to
inside sources. Vandross' new album "Dance with My Father" was released
on Tuesday(June10th). The title track is Vandross' emotional tribute to his dad
who died when Luther was only seven. Luther Vandross suffered a stroke on April
16th.
May
10, 2003 - Though It was reported by some newspapers Thursday that Luther Vandross
was breathing on his own It looks like that information was incorrect. Vandross'
mother was told that the tube inserted in her son's throat to help him breathe
was removed but it turns out that this was not true. Vandross' publicist says
"there's been no radical change in his condition." Vandross suffered
a stroke on April 16, 2003.
May
10, 2003 - Pop diva Aretha Franklin will hold a candlelight vigil and prayer service
on May 19 for singer Luther Vandross, who remains in critical condition after
suffering a stroke last month. Franklin will be joined by The Four Tops, the Ebenezer
Mass Choir and other guests to sing and pray for a two-hour period at the Little
Rock Baptist Church. Vandross has not regained consciousness since his stroke
on April 16 and still needs assistance to breathe, his New York-based publicist,
Lois Najarian, says. His family reports that doctors remain hopeful that the 52-year-old
Grammy-winning singer, whose hits include Here and Now and Superstar will regain
consciousness.
May
1, 2003 - Friends and family of Luther Vandross are encouraged by the messages
being sent to the singer through his Web site. A spokeswoman for his record label,
J-Records, says there have been more than 10-thousand messages sent to the site
since it was set up recently. Lois Najarian says those close to the singer are
strengthened by the messages. As she puts it, ``all the positive energy really
helps.'' The e-mail address to send messages to Vandross is 
April
28, 2003 - It's not good news for 
