Luther Vandross was an American soul and R and B singer, songwriter, and producer known for his smooth vocals and emotive ballads. Rising from New York’s Apollo Theater in the late 1960s, he became a sought-after backing vocalist for icons like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder before launching his solo career. Vandross achieved massive success with hits like Never Too Much, Here and Now, and Dance with My Father, earning eight Grammy Awards and selling over 40 million records worldwide. He collaborated with artists such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson on chart-topping duets. Celebrated for his influence and artistry, Vandross has been honored by Rolling Stone, Billboard, and NPR, and inducted into both the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. His legacy continues to inspire, reflected in recent tributes including a documentary and a chart-topping single that sampled his work.