| (CNN) -- Legendary R&B artist Luther Vandross died Friday, CNN has confirmed. He was 54 years old.
The popular crooner suffered a debilitating stroke in April 2003. Even so, his album "Dance With My Father," co-written with Richard Marx, sold nearly a million copies in its first month of release that June. And the album won him four Grammy Awards, half his lifetime total, including song of the year.
Vandross' songs and emotionally charged ballads carry a signature soulful, silky sound.
It was after a chance meeting with David Bowie at a recording studio that Vandross was asked to sing backup on Bowie's hit 1975 album, "Young Americans."
Later, Vandross would serve as Bowie's opening act
Vandross also sang backup for Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand, while lending his voice to commercial jingles.
When record companies rejected him, Vandross used his own money to produce his 1981 debut album, "Never Too Much."
It went on to top the R&B charts and sold 2 million copies.
Other hit singles followed, like "Any Love" and "Here and Now."
Vandross struggled with health and image problems, claiming that he lost 100 pounds -- 13 times. He suffered from diabetes and hypertension but refused to slow down until his stroke two years ago.
CNN's Brooke Anderson and Todd Leopold contributed to the report. | |
