Luther: Never Too Much (2024) Movie Script

1
Remembered as just a
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And I'm running. And
now we want to do I want
and now we want to do I want
to do my favorite ballad and
To do my favorite ballad and
beautiful love song on the new
Beautiful love song on the
new album. It goes like
This one, two, three.
Hey hey, we have to have
a party right away. Right
Up top. Hey, come on
Hey, go! Stop at a
Stop. Yeah, we're on the move.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah. Ain't no
Yeah yeah yeah yeah. Ain't
no stopping us now. We got
The groove. Oh, there
have been so many
oh, there have been so many
things that have held us down.
Things that have held us down.
But now it looks like things
but now it looks like things
are finally coming around.
Are finally coming around.
Yeah, I know we've got a
yeah, I know we've got a long,
long way to go. And where
Long, long way to go.
And where we'll end up.
We'll end up. I don't
know, but we won't
I don't know, but we won't let
nothing hold us back. We're
Let nothing hold us back. We're
gonna get ourselves together.
Gonna get ourselves together.
We're gonna polish up our
we're gonna polish up our
act. Yeah. And if you've ever
Act. Yeah. And if you've ever
been held down before, I know
Been held down before, I know
that you refuse to be held down
That you refuse to
be held down anymore.
Anymore. Yeah,
Yeah. Don't you let nothing,
Nothing, nothing stand
in your way. And all
Your. To every word I say.
Every word I say about it
Every word I say about it
ain't no stopping us now.
Ain't no stopping us now.
That's right. We're on the
That's right. We're on the
move. You said it. We've got
Move. You said it. We've got
the groove. Ain't no stopping
The groove. Ain't no
stopping us now. We've
Got the groove. Who
ain't no stopping us
Now. We're on the move.
On the move, yeah. Yeah yeah.
No stopping us now. We've got
No stopping us now. We've got
the groove from the bronx, new
York. Mr. Luther vandross.
Were you very poor
as a child? Mhm.
Child? Mhm. You know,
the funniest thing
you know, the funniest thing
is if if there's enough love
Is if if there's enough love
in your house and in your home
In your house and in your home
and in your life. Poor, rich,
And in your life. Poor, rich,
none of that stuff registers.
None of that stuff registers.
We were we were well fed, well
We were we were well fed,
well cared for. We had toys at
Cared for. We had toys at
christmas and I don't know if
Christmas and I don't know if
we were poor or not. I'll have
We were poor or not. I'll have
to ask my mother, but it's
To ask my mother, but it's
certainly my impression of
Certainly my impression of
growing up was that life was
Growing up was
that life was great
This is very personal. This is
luther talking about what he
Luther talking about what he
experienced as a child and as a
Experienced as a child and
as a teenager, aware of of a
Teenager, aware of of a
potential career in music. You
Potential career in music. You
know, I was a motown child, the
Know, I was a motown child, the
supremes and temptations on ed
Supremes and temptations on ed
sullivan was a big deal around
Sullivan was a big deal around
my neighborhood, you know?
My neighborhood, you
know? So let's have a fine
so let's have a fine
welcome for the case keenum
I need love love, love.
Hey, my man, I need to find
hey, my man, I need to find
find someone to call mine. But
Find someone to call mine.
But mama said you can't hurry,
Mama said you can't hurry,
love. No, you just have to wait
Love. No, you just
have to wait and see.
And see. I used
to love. I used to
I used to love. I used to
draw pictures of the supremes
Draw pictures of the supremes
in math class. You know, when I
In math class. You know, when
I was a kid. Because I used to
Was a kid. Because I used to
just love the way my mother
Just love the way my mother
would punish me for doing
Would punish me for doing
something wrong or get to me is
Something wrong or get to me
is not allowing me to see the
Not allowing me to see the
supremes on ed sullivan on on a
Supremes on ed sullivan on on a
Sunday night, you know, and it
Sunday night, you know, and it
worked. You know, I washed the
Worked. You know, I washed the
dishes, took the garbage out,
Dishes, took the garbage
out, did the homework, did
Did the homework, did
everything. So you.
Everything. So you. I
feel my skin. I yeah,
I feel my skin. I yeah,
it's almost gone. I remember
It's almost gone. I remember
my said I met luther when I was
My said I met luther
when I was 15.
15. We'd like so much of the
we'd like so much of the same
music. The supremes would
Same music. The supremes would
appear on ed sullivan and it
Appear on ed sullivan and it
let's say, like maybe at 11:00
Let's say, like maybe at 11:00
at night when everybody in my
At night when everybody in
my house was in bed, I'd be
House was in bed, I'd be
sitting by the phone and the
Sitting by the phone and the
phone would ring and I'd pick
Phone would ring and I'd pick
it up really quick. He'd say,
It up really quick. He'd say,
did you see florence miss that
Did you see florence miss that
step? No, I came down to it in
Step? No, I came down
to it in my life alone.
My life alone. Met
luther vandross in the
met luther vandross in the
11th grade, and he would say, I
11th grade, and he would say,
I think our first date was
Think our first date was
friends was come to my house
Friends was come to my house
and, you know, I'll make you
And, you know, I'll make you
some lunch and we'll listen to
Some lunch and we'll listen
to some music. Great. Happy.
Some music. Great. Happy.
When she said, love, don't
when she said, love,
don't come easy.
Come easy. When I
met luther, the first
when I met luther, the first
thing I was impressed with. He
Thing I was impressed with. He
had composition books stuffed
Had composition books stuffed
with papers that he had torn
With papers that he had torn
out of another one and stuffed
Out of another one
and stuffed inside.
Inside. There, all filled with
His lyrics. Like
The shades of jade was
luther's first actual band,
Luther's first actual band,
and we had a bass player,
And we had a bass player,
myself, on guitar. Fonzi
Myself, on guitar. Fonzi
luther, and we had a keyboard
Luther, and we had
a keyboard player.
Player. So he said,
well, if you're
so he said, well, if you're
going to be in the group, you
Going to be in the group, you
have to get the uniform. I
Have to get the uniform. I
said, what's the uniform?
Said, what's the uniform?
Well, you got to have patent
well, you got to have patent
leather, green emerald shoes.
Leather, green emerald shoes.
If you're in the shades of
If you're in the shades of jade.
Jade. He said, well, the shoes
he said, well, the shoes
cost $23. And at that time,
Cost $23. And at that time,
back in the 60s, my mother
Back in the 60s, my mother
wasn't going to give me no $23
Wasn't going to give me no $23
for no shoes to sing in. No
For no shoes to
sing in. No group.
Group. Don't you
know this fool
don't you know this fool
goes to my mama's house? I'm
Goes to my mama's house?
I'm talking about a latin
Talking about a latin
household. Puerto rican. Only
Household. Puerto rican.
Only my mother did not speak
My mother did not speak
english. And then luther
English. And then luther
vandross proceeds in his broken
Vandross proceeds in
his broken spanish or
Senora alamar es a muy
importante a los zapatos.
Uh de carlos. Valverde green.
Uh, more important, and by the
Uh, more important, and by the
time he finished talking to my
Time he finished talking to my
mother, my mother came in the
Mother, my mother came in the
room and said, here, take this
Room and said, here, take this
$25 and go buy those shoes.
$25 and go buy those shoes.
So he was a boss from the
so he was a boss from the
beginning. He had he had
Beginning. He had he had
vision. He had an idea of how
Vision. He had an idea of how
he wanted it to go down. And
He wanted it to go down.
And that's the way it went
Down. Luther
studied every singer
luther studied every singer
that he loved to sing.
Guess my soul is my money
for me. Oh yes, a little
For me. Oh yes, a little
respect when you get on. Great.
Respect when you get on. Great.
When you heard what he liked
When you heard what he liked
about female singers was he
About female singers
was he loved the tone.
Loved the tone.
He loved the versatility, the
Range, every aspect. Take
care. Tcb, you know, I
take care. Tcb, you know,
I used to love listening to
Used to love listening to
aretha franklin because aretha
Aretha franklin because
aretha is so bad.
Is so bad. You know,
she doesn't have
you know, she doesn't have
to get you at her peak. High
To get you at her peak. High
note. You know aretha, when
Note. You know aretha, when
she's singing in neutral, can
She's singing in neutral,
can render you helpless.
I want you I respect every jane
coaston luther studied the soul
Coaston luther studied
the soul of aretha.
Of aretha. He
studied the sweet
he studied the sweet
inspirations and their tight
Inspirations and their
tight harmonies. Oh
Yeah, he. He studied dionne
warwick, he studied. He studied
Warwick, he studied. He studied
the tonality and the grace of
The tonality and the grace
of of her voice. Paul.
Of her voice. Paul.
Me. I'll be there.
Just waiting. So don't
think because you've been
Running around. I
won't answer the phone.
The phone. When
your world tumbles
when your world tumbles
down. You can call me any old
Down. You can call me
any old time of the day.
Time of the day. When
did you know that you
when did you know
that you could sing?
Could sing? I knew
that I wanted to
I knew that I wanted to sing.
I was about 13 and I had
Sing. I was about 13 and I had
gone to see dionne warwick at
Gone to see dionne warwick at
the brooklyn fox theater. And.
The brooklyn fox theater. And.
And I think I knew from that
And I think I knew from that
moment that I wanted to be able
Moment that I wanted to be able
to affect people the way she
To affect people the way
she affected me that day.
Affected me that day. It
was the height of black
it was the height of black
music. The apollo theater was
Music. The apollo theater was
the center for everything in
The center for everything in
harlem. Musically. We got to
Harlem. Musically. We got to
see it all happen and there was
See it all happen and there was
music on 125th street blasting
Music on 125th street
blasting all the
Time. I like to
know. That your love.
I can't turn you loose now is
one of the hottest groups in
One of the hottest
groups in the country.
The country. The
temptations, the world
the temptations, the
world and saboteurs.
And saboteurs. I
refuse to explain.
I refuse to explain. I
just wish it would rain.
I just wish it would
rain. Oh, let it rain.
Oh, let it rain. We
were in a group called
we were in a group called
missing my brother, which was
Missing my brother, which was
owned and managed by the people
Owned and managed by the people
who owned the apollo theater,
Who owned the apollo theater,
and we used to get to see all
And we used to get to see all
the shows from going to the
The shows from going to the
apollo anytime we wanted to see
Apollo anytime we wanted to see
any show. That was one of the
Any show. That was
one of the real big
Perks. Of the band. My
brother to what we've got
my brother to what we've got
to say. This and my brother,
To say. This and my brother,
cause this is our day.
Cause this is our day.
Listen, my brother was five
listen, my brother was five
guys, five girls and a five
Guys, five girls and a five
piece band, and we were singing
Piece band, and we were singing
these original songs about
These original songs about
being young and black and
Being young and black and
about, I'm going to make it.
About, I'm going to make it.
And they were all topical as it
And they were all topical as it
related to the time. Sometimes
Related to the time.
Sometimes we get burdened.
We get burdened. So many times
We have to cry, but if you make
me look, I'll make it to the
Me look, I'll make
it to the top.
Top. It'll
Tell you that's
a good step back.
Back. The context that we're
the context that we're
talking about is extremely
Talking about is extremely
important. To have the whole
Important. To have the whole
black panthers and all of that.
Black panthers and all of
that. We sang songs about being
we sang songs about being
young and black and no one
Young and black and no one
stopping us. We're going to
Stopping us. We're going to
make it to the top. Move, move
Make it to the top. Move, move
out of our way, out of our way.
Out of our way, out of our way.
These songs were, in effect,
these songs were, in effect,
mantras that we would repeat
Mantras that we would repeat
for the rest of our lives.
For the rest of
our lives. Listen
Everybody, we got
a story to tell.
Tell. Peter long, who ran the
peter long, who ran the
group, came to us one day in
Group, came to us one day
in rehearsal and he said,
Rehearsal and he said,
someone's going to come down
Someone's going to come down
to see you guys because he'd
To see you guys because he'd
always have people come down.
Always have people come down.
So he said, this guy jim henson
So he said, this guy jim henson
is going to come down to see
Is going to come down to see
what you do. So we performed
What you do. So we performed
the whole show for him. We go
To rehearsal the next day and
peter comes to us and he says,
Peter comes to us and he says,
there's a tv show, there's a
There's a tv show, there's a
new show for kids coming on
New show for kids coming on
that I want you guys to do,
That I want you guys to do,
like tv. Are you kidding
Like tv. Are you
kidding something? Yeah.
Something? Yeah.
You got to love something.
You got to like something to
You got to like something
to get where you want to
Be. A man can play a song. No,
no, there's no melody. Here. A
No, there's no melody. Here. A
girl can bake a cake. Now. If
Girl can bake a cake. Now. If
she don't have a recipe, a man
She don't have a recipe, a
man can build a. House. If he
Can build a. House. If he
can't cut a tree, you've got
Can't cut a tree, you've got
to learn. You got to learn.
To learn. You got to learn.
And he explains the concept
and he explains the concept
of having a neighborhood just
Of having a neighborhood just
like harlem. A lot of people
Like harlem. A lot of people
look at sesame street as, oh,
Look at sesame street as,
oh, sesame street, no, that's
Sesame street, no, that's
harlem, just like those little
Harlem, just like those little
buildings that you see. And
Buildings that you see. And
everybody's sitting on the
Everybody's sitting on the
porch and they're three story
Porch and they're three story
walk ups and they're all kind
Walk ups and they're all kind
of old, but they're really
Of old, but they're really
well-kept and a lot of wood.
Well-kept and a lot of wood.
That's harlem. Well, that
That's harlem. Well, that
being said, you can't have
Being said, you can't have
songs that are I'm sorry. So
Songs that are I'm sorry. So
square a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h I
Square a, b, c, d, e,
f, g, h I that ain't
Swinging, that ain't soulful a
b c d e f g h I j k l m n o p q
B c d e f g h I j k l m n
o p q r s t u v w x y z.
R s t u v w x y z. Hey,
boys and girls, have
hey, boys and girls, have
you met 26 letters of the
You met 26 letters
of the alphabet?
Alphabet? The little
rhyming words,
the little rhyming words,
for lack of a better word,
For lack of a better
word, we're rapping.
We're rapping. Come
on, children, and
come on, children, and
don't be slow. We're gonna
Don't be slow. We're gonna
count to 20. And here
We go. 1234567,
eight nine, ten.
1234567, eight nine, ten.
We're only halfway. So here we
We're only halfway. So
here we go again 11, 12.13.
Go again 11, 12.13. 14.
It wasn't like he was
14. It wasn't like he was
top dog. So don't look at
Top dog. So don't look at
luther as being the top dog.
Luther as being the top dog.
And listen to my brother. He
And listen to my brother. He
wasn't. And the fact is for
Wasn't. And the fact is for
that are the obvious. Black and
That are the obvious. Black and
heavy. If you are too black or
Heavy. If you are too black
or you're too fat, you got a
You're too fat, you got a
problem. You didn't know you
Problem. You didn't know you
had a problem until it was made
Had a problem until it was made
a problem. Could you sing your
A problem. Could you sing your
butt off better than everybody
Butt off better than
everybody on that stage?
On that stage? 17, 18, 19, 20?
17, 18, 19, 20? Even
during those years, you
Still had prejudices based on
the look and the appearance of
The look and the appearance
of what it is, not the talent.
That luther vandross went to
kalamazoo, michigan to go to
Kalamazoo, michigan to go
to college. But boy, he was
College. But boy, he was
miserable. He was. First of
Miserable. He was. First of
all, we were in listen, my
All, we were in listen, my
brother. And then he got
Brother. And then he got
accepted. He didn't think he
Accepted. He didn't think he
was going to get accepted.
Was going to get accepted.
He used to always call down
he used to always call down
to the rehearsal, what are
To the rehearsal, what are
y'all doing? What are you
Y'all doing? What are you
singing? That kind of stuff. So
Singing? That kind of stuff. So
he was doing well in school. He
He was doing well in school.
He always said he was like a b+
Always said he was like a b+
student in school. But, um, his
Student in school. But, um, his
his ear, he was thinking about
His ear, he was thinking about
the music. He wanted to come
The music. He wanted to
come back to new york and be
Back to new york and be
involved with the things that
Involved with the things
that we were doing.
We were doing. When I went
To college, I did not go back
the second year because I
The second year because I
really did not want a plan b. I
Really did not want a plan b. I
said, you know what? It's going
Said, you know what? It's going
to be this or I'm going to be
To be this or I'm going to be
80 trying to do it. And I told
80 trying to do
it. And I told my
Mother that I wanted to drop
out and pursue music, and she
Out and pursue music, and she
surprisingly said, sure. And I
Surprisingly said, sure. And I
think the reason she said sure
Think the reason she said sure
is because of what I didn't
Is because of what I didn't
know, which is that my father
Know, which is that my father
was a brilliant singer. He
Was a brilliant singer. He
passed away when I was eight
Passed away when I was eight
years old, and they said that I
Years old, and they said that
I got it from him. So I said,
Got it from him. So I said,
I'm going to focus my entire
I'm going to focus my entire
life and whole energy into
Life and whole energy into
this, and there is no other
This, and there is no other
consideration. So rejection
Consideration. So rejection
will just have to happen. And
Will just have to
happen. And if it
Happens, it will happen.
And I'll keep on going.
Philadelphia has a unique
blend of rhythm and blues that
Blend of rhythm and
blues that is distinctly
Philly. First it
was motown and then
first it was motown and then
there was west philly. There
There was west philly. There
was gamble and huff. There were
Was gamble and huff. There were
just all of those great groups
Just all of those great groups
that came out of there. The
That came out of there.
The o'jays and first choice
And the three degrees.
You. Will hear they
Were doing their own thing. It
wasn't motown. It was. It was
Wasn't motown. It was. It was
lush. But it was. It was east
Lush. But it was. It was east
coast. It was. It just had a,
Coast. It was. It
just had a, uh.
Uh. I don't think they'll miss
I don't think they'll miss
what they do. They smiling in
What they do. They smiling in
your face all the time. You
Your face all the time.
You want to take your
Place? The. Backstabbers.
Backstabbers.
Backstabbers. I
keep getting the
I keep getting the
philadelphia sound. Took the
Philadelphia sound. Took the
motown sound and stripped it of
Motown sound and stripped it of
its formality. Stripped it of
Its formality.
Stripped it of its
Tuxedos and beaded gowns, and
it said, come as you are and
It said, come as you are
and scream a little bit.
And you,
You are. Pick your hair out.
You know what I'm saying? Let
You know what I'm saying? Let
your afro be big and bouncy and
Your afro be big and bouncy and
wild. I know, I know, my, my
Wild. I know, I know, my, my
motown was giving you a little
Motown was giving you a
little bit more of like.
We matching and we
home by midnight. More
Than I deserve. For. You. Are.
For. You. Are. You
know the philly sound
you know the philly sound
was more to the point and
Was more to the point
and really got deep
Into the black experience. So
when I when I hear about boy,
When I when I hear about boy,
when I hear about mick jagger,
When I hear about mick jagger,
when I hear about all these
When I hear about all these
people, this is music that they
People, this is music that
they truly appreciated.
It was a sound that deeply
resonated with them.
Resonated with them.
To somebody like david
to somebody like david
bowie, it was a little bit
Bowie, it was a little bit
cooler, a little bit of the
Cooler, a little bit of the
moment, a little bit raspier, a
Moment, a little bit raspier, a
little bit rowdier. So why not
Little bit rowdier.
So why not be
There? Oh my. Yeah.
Yeah. So we're
in new york city
so we're in new york city
and carlos gets a call
From david bowie. Hey, baby,
it's for the young americans
It's for the young americans
album. And carlos has to go
Album. And carlos has to go
down to philadelphia to record
Down to philadelphia
to record the line.
And my. Heart for you.
During that time, we had this
whole thing where the way
This whole thing where the way
that we used to get gigs is we
That we used to get gigs is
we would attend each other's
Would attend each other's
sessions. And if, incidentally,
Sessions. And if, incidentally,
they happened to need somebody
They happened to need somebody
to fill in, oh my friends, a
To fill in, oh my friends, a
singer, he could definitely do
Singer, he could definitely
do it. And we always brought
It. And we always brought
luther come forward.
Yeah, that looks great.
Taking it all the right
way, keeping it in the back.
Keeping it in the back.
Taking it all the right way.
Taking it all the right way.
Lucy started doing what he
lucy started doing what he
does, which is start singing.
Does, which is start singing.
When david put music on, he
When david put music on, he
starts, you know, whatever. How
Starts, you know, whatever. How
many? And david was like, wow,
Many? And david was like, wow,
this guy is great. Flying. Just
This guy is great. Flying.
Just a sweet place.
A sweet place. Never
been known to fail,
never been known to
fail, never been known.
Never been known. David
knew talent and he
david knew talent and he
whispered to me, he said, I
Whispered to me, he said, I
love this guy. And I'm like,
Love this guy. And I'm like,
what's not to love, right?
What's not to love, right?
And again, on the one, two,
and again, on the one, two,
three time giving it when it,
Three time giving it when it,
giving it, keeping it back.
Giving it, keeping it back.
Right. That's fine. Okay. So
Right. That's fine. Okay. So
we got that. That one's all
We got that. That
one's all right.
Right. Robin and
luther are always
robin and luther are always
making up parts. That's what
Making up parts. That's what
you do. And so they sit on the
You do. And so they sit on
the couch. You know how it is.
Couch. You know how it is.
Speakers are there. They're
Speakers are there. They're
listening back to the music.
Listening back to the
music. She took his babies.
She took his babies.
It took him minutes.
It took him minutes.
David bowie's back there
david bowie's back there with
the engineer, and they're
With the engineer, and
they're playing the tracks
Back. It's. All
right. She wants the
all right. She wants the young
American and david, he's
playing young americans just to
Playing young americans
just to to hear it.
To hear it. And luther
leans over to me
and luther leans over to me
and he says, robin, what do you
And he says, robin, what do you
think of this young american,
Think of this young
american, young american?
Young american? She
wants a young. American.
She wants a young.
American. And david,
Unbeknownst to me, was sitting
at the board behind me with a
At the board behind me with
a guy named carl who was the
Guy named carl who was the
engineer. And he said, I love
Engineer. And he
said, I love that.
That. What a breath
of fresh air.
What a breath of fresh air.
I mean, it had just such a
I mean, it had just such a
fantastic voice that I asked
Fantastic voice that I asked
him if he wanted to kind of
Him if he wanted to kind of
join in the session and start
Join in the session
and start doing the
Backing vocals. So what right.
You want the young american
you want the young american
younger man young american,
Younger man young american,
what the young man?
What the young man?
They went in there and
they went in there and
started singing the young
Started singing the young
americans. David bowie was
Americans. David bowie was
blown away. He's like, you're
Blown away. He's like, you're
in. I heard the news today.
In. I heard the news today.
Oh boy. I got a sweet you
oh boy. I got a sweet
you got the beat. Oh.
Say no more. And they
retired. I'm happy that
I remember that. Because I
Know that. One night, all
night. You want the young
Night. You want the young
american bowie was a rock and
American bowie was
a rock and roller.
Roller. He was
doing stuff that was
he was doing stuff that was
miles away from what r&b music
Miles away from what r&b music
is. You know, luther brought a
Is. You know, luther brought a
certain style of singing, and
Certain style of singing, and
bowie loved it the guy got
Bowie loved it the guy got
magnus carlsen, and now
Magnus carlsen, and now
suddenly luther was arranging
Suddenly luther was arranging
the entire album, and this was
The entire album, and this was
also when luther had his group,
Also when luther had his group,
luther on cotillion, because he
Luther on cotillion, because he
had a whole album full of songs
Had a whole album full of
songs that he had written and
That he had written and
produced, and david heard a
Produced, and david heard a
song called funky music is a
Song called funky
music is a part of
Me. And he said, boy, I really,
really like that, but I can't
Really like that, but I can't
sing it. It's funky music. So
Sing it. It's funky
music. So they
Rewrote it as fascination. As
nation, fascination shown up,
Nation, fascination shown up,
fascination takes a part of me
Fascination takes a part of
me that was luther's song I
That was luther's
song I can't help it.
Can't help it. No,
I've got to move.
Every time I get
music comes around.
Around. Yeah, this
is luther, and
yeah, this is luther, and
that's the name of the group.
That's the name of the group.
Why? Just luther? Luther?
Why? Just luther? Luther?
Uh, I write the songs, I
uh, I write the songs, I
sing them, you know, some of
Sing them, you know, some of
them. And the record company
Them. And the record company
named us luther, by the way.
Named us luther, by the way.
They thought that name would be
They thought that name would
be more recognizable than the
More recognizable than the
others that we had tried. I
Others that we had tried. I
love singing, just give me the
Love singing, just
give me the beat.
Beat. Just give
it to me. Give it
just give it to me. Give it
to me, give it to me. Please.
To me, give it to me. Please.
Come on now, come on now.
Come on now, come on now.
Everybody. Everybody get up,
Everybody. Everybody get up,
get up, get up, now. Oh, I
Get up, get up, now. Oh, I
can't help myself. No, no.
Can't help myself. No, no.
I love those days. David.
I love those days. David. You
know what? He used to make
You know what? He used to make
me do? This was when he first
Me do? This was when he first
hired me. He first heard me
Hired me. He first heard me
singing. He used to have me go
Singing. He used to have me go
on stage and do a half an hour
On stage and do a half an hour
show of only my own material,
Show of only my own material,
and the audience was saying,
And the audience was saying,
bowie. Bowie, you know, they
Bowie. Bowie, you know, they
had no idea who I was. You
Had no idea who I was.
You know, I was young and
Know, I was young and
everything, and I came off
Everything, and I came off
stage. I said, david, if you're
Stage. I said, david, if you're
trying to kill me, use an ax.
Trying to kill me, use an ax.
Don't don't do it to me like
Don't don't do it to me like
this, you know. And he was
This, you know. And he was
saying, no, you have to
Saying, no, you have to
understand. You're getting a
Understand. You're getting a
chance to sharpen your tools
Chance to sharpen your tools
and get out there. You're
And get out there. You're
getting the experience of a
Getting the experience of a
lifetime in advance of what I
Lifetime in advance of what I
know is going to be your career
Know is going to be your career
david introduced me to bette
David introduced me to bette
midler, and I toured with bette
Midler, and I toured with bette
midler for many years, and she
Midler for many years, and she
was big on production. So some
Was big on production. So some
of my early impressions about
Of my early impressions about
what to do on stage were that
What to do on stage were that
you should have, you know, big,
You should have, you know, big,
elaborate productions. They do
Elaborate productions.
They do it.
It. They do. He believed that
they do. He believed that
background singing was an art
Background singing was an art
form because you have to know
Form because you have to know
how to blend. You have to know
How to blend. You have to know
how to follow instructions. You
How to follow instructions.
You have to know what to add
Have to know what to add
tonally. You know, luther's
Tonally. You know, luther's
session career opened up from
Session career opened up from
his work with david bowie and
His work with david bowie
and bette midler and people
Journalism. The whole story
with anderson cooper Sunday at
Eight on cnn. The song we want
to do for you now is from the
To do for you now is from the
broadway musical called the wiz
Broadway musical called the
wiz okay, it was the winner of
Okay, it was the winner of
seven tony awards, and I had
Seven tony awards, and I had
the privilege and the pleasure
The privilege and the pleasure
of being able to write one of
Of being able to
write one of the songs
In that show. Okay.
And we want to do it
okay. And we want to do it
for you now in our own style.
For you now in our own style.
Carry on, carry on everybody
Carry on, carry on
everybody look around.
Look around. Cause
there's a reason to
cause there's a reason to
rejoice. You see everybody come
Rejoice. You see everybody
come out and let's commence the
Out and let's
commence the singing.
Singing. We had a
vision, but there
we had a vision, but there was
a long period of time where
Was a long period of time where
he was trying to get a deal and
He was trying to get
a deal and wasn't.
Wasn't. So it
wasn't like this was
so it wasn't like this was a
sure thing. It's love, see?
A sure thing. It's love, see?
But he knew what he wanted. He
But he knew what he wanted. He
knew he was talented enough to
Knew he was talented enough to
have it. And he kept going for
Have it. And he
kept going for it
Can you feel? Daniel hagari
Make you feel.
Brand
New? Because. Good night.
I was in luther's band and
I was in luther's band and we
were opening for marvin gaye
We were opening for marvin gaye
at radio city music hall. And
At radio city music hall. And
in those days you had two shows
In those days you had two shows
a night at radio city music
A night at radio city music
hall. So we played our show.
Hall. So we played our show.
Then during the intermission,
Then during the intermission,
we ran over to the recording
We ran over to the recording
studio and recorded my very
Studio and recorded my very
first song, which was everybody
First song, which was everybody
dance, everybody dance
Doo doo doo doo, clap your
Hands, clap your hands.
Everybody dance. Doo doo doo
everybody dance. Doo doo doo
doo doo. Clap your hands, clap
Doo doo. Clap your
hands, clap your hands.
Your hands. Luther
came and he brought
luther came and he brought
all of his singers. And it
All of his singers. And it
sounded amazing. After I cut
Sounded amazing. After I cut
everybody dance with luther, it
Everybody dance with luther, it
just was magical. It was like,
Just was magical. It was like,
wow, this is the sound. This is
Wow, this is the sound. This
is something special. And it's
Something special.
And it's chic.
Chic. Love. Your feet.
Say chic. Freak out.
Have you heard about
the new dance craze?
Dance craze? Listen to us.
Listen to us. I'm
sure you'll be amazed
I'm sure you'll be amazed big
fun to be had by everyone.
Big fun to be had by
everyone. It's up to you.
It's up to you.
Surely can't be done.
Surely can't be done.
Young and old are doing it.
Young and old are doing it.
I'm told it's called a freak.
I'm told it's called a freak.
They're doing it night and
They're doing it night and
day. I. We'll show you the
Day. I. We'll show you the
way. Ah, freak show. You freak.
Way. Ah, freak show.
You freak. So chic.
So chic. Luther
singing every record
luther singing every record
we did. He's on everything.
We did. He's on everything.
Every every single record we
Every every single record we
did. So the first chic album
Did. So the first chic album
he's on, every song. The
He's on, every song. The
second chic album he's on
Second chic album he's on
every song. Then we do sister
Every song. Then we do sister
sledge. He's on every song on
Sledge. He's on every song on
that record. Luther vandross
That record. Luther vandross
vocals had a big part, played a
Vocals had a big part,
played a big part.
Big part. What worked
for me was that
what worked for me was that
I was one of the first real
I was one of the
first real singers to
Emerge out of that disco
period, and it made me kind of
Period, and it made me kind of
singular in what I contributed
Singular in what I contributed
to music at that point. And
To music at that point. And
from there I went into jingles.
From there I went into jingles.
There's nothing like a roller
There's nothing like a roller
coaster ride. There's nothing
Coaster ride. There's nothing
like a view from a mile in the
Like a view from a mile in the
sky, and there's nothing like
Sky, and there's
nothing like the
Flavor of juicy fruit gum.
I come from a world of
I come from a world of
background singing, singing for
Other people. Welcome
to. Miller time,
welcome to. Miller
time, doing jingles.
Doing jingles. And
that's the world that
and that's the world that
luther was traveling in.
Luther was traveling in.
Bring your thirsty self
bring your thirsty self
right here. The rich, smooth
Right here. The rich,
smooth taste of miller beer.
Taste of miller beer.
And so I knew his
Voice before he became famous
Tonight, tonight, tonight.
Let it be low. And bright.
Let it be low. And bright.
You'll be loving that whole
you'll be loving that whole
thing. The thing that I do came
Thing. The thing that I do came
out of my first jingle. It was
For gino's pizza. Gino's.
You go for the food.
Go for the food. We've
got. Gino's. You go
we've got. Gino's. You
go for it. Sizzling hot.
For it. Sizzling hot. And
the producer, her name
and the producer, her name
was debbie mcduffie. She says,
Was debbie mcduffie. She says,
can you give me just something
Can you give me just something
to make me feel it hot? Make me
To make me feel it hot? Make
me feel it sizzling hot. And I
Feel it sizzling hot. And I
said, gino's. You go for it.
Said, gino's. You go for
it. It's sizzling hot. Hot.
It's sizzling hot. Hot.
And, you know, I just could
and, you know, I just could
see the control room just
See the control room just
jumping up and clapping and
Jumping up and
clapping and stuff.
Stuff. He did it.
And and we did
he did it. And and we did
erupt then because it was like,
Erupt then because it was like,
oh man, this is going to end up
Oh man, this is going to end up
being his his thing. So we were
Being his his thing. So we were
thinking it in the control room
Thinking it in the control
room and he was thinking it on
And he was thinking it on
michael, I'm not doing this in
Michael, I'm not
doing this in any more
Jingles. And he never did.
Going up to set some trends,
Going up to set some trends,
want to laugh and dance and
Want to laugh and
dance and sing.
Sing. And it was just he was
and it was just he was
killing it. He was killing it.
Killing it. He was killing it.
And the rates, the pay rates
And the rates, the pay rates
that singers got paid was like
That singers got paid was like
100 million times more than
100 million times more than
what the musicians got paid. So
What the musicians got paid. So
I would say, hey, man, can we
I would say, hey, man, can we
go to your mailbox? I just want
Go to your mailbox? I just want
to see those commercial checks
To see those commercial checks
falling out of your mailbox.
Falling out of your mailbox.
You know, as opposed to my
You know, as opposed
to my little $34 check.
Little $34 check. It
was really a wonderful
it was really a wonderful
period of of life. You know, it
Period of of life. You know,
it allowed me to move out of my
Allowed me to move out of my
mother's house, you know, and
Mother's house, you know, and
it allowed me to move her out
It allowed me to move her out
of her house and into someplace
Of her house and into
someplace really nice.
Really nice. Luther
eventually became
luther eventually became
like one of the number one
Like one of the number
one background singers for
Background singers for
commercials and also for
Commercials and also for records
Oh. For so long, strange was a
for so long, strange was a
studio group. It was us singing
Studio group. It was us singing
background, luther singing lead
Background, luther singing lead
on a few things. Luther went in
On a few things. Luther went in
and sang searching and glow of
And sang searching and glow of
love in one take and nailed it.
Love in one take and nailed
it. The producers heard me
the producers heard me
singing in the background and
Singing in the background and
they asked me, you know, if I
They asked me, you know, if I
would sing the lead or audition
Would sing the lead or audition
for the lead. We are one.
For the lead. We are one.
Having fun walking in the glow
Having fun walking in the glow
of love, soul searching and
Of love, soul searching and
glow of love went on to become
Glow of love went on to become
big records, and they wanted
Big records, and they wanted
luther to be officially become
Luther to be
officially become the.
The. The lead singer of the
the lead singer of the group.
But luther's contention
Group. But luther's contention
was that I am a writer and a
Was that I am a writer and a
producer. I want to write and
Producer. I want to write and
produce my own songs. I don't
Produce my own songs. I don't
want to be just the lead singer
Want to be just the lead singer
of your group while you feed me
Of your group while you feed
me songs, you know? So he kept
Songs, you know? So he kept
writing, he kept singing, he
Writing, he kept singing,
he kept doing his own
Thing. Roberta
flack heard luther
roberta flack heard luther
and said, listen, I'm doing
And said, listen, I'm doing
gigs. I'm doing I know you do
Gigs. I'm doing I know you do
sessions during the week, but
Sessions during the week, but
maybe you'll come out with me
Maybe you'll come out with me
on the weekend, strolling in
On the weekend, strolling
in the park, watching winter
Turns to spring. Walking
in the dark. Seeing
walking in the
dark. Seeing lovers
Do their thing. Ooh, that's the
time I feel like making love to
Time I feel like
making love to you.
You.
Making love to you.
That's the time.
The time.
I feel like making dreams
come true. Oh, baby.
Come true. Oh, baby. I
used to sing background
I used to sing background
vocals for roberta flack on the
Vocals for roberta flack on
the road. And roberta sometimes
Road. And roberta sometimes
would have interviews, and
Would have interviews, and
sometimes she'd be unable to
Sometimes she'd be unable to
show up at soundchecks. So I
Show up at soundchecks. So I
would sing her songs for her in
Would sing her songs for her
in soundchecks to test her
Soundchecks to test her
microphone. Making love to you.
Microphone. Making love to
you. I feel like making love to
I feel like making love
to you. That's the time.
You. That's the time.
What happened is that one
what happened is that one
day she had come back to the
Day she had come back to the
theater and I was singing, and
Theater and I was singing, and
she came over to me and she
She came over to me and she
said, you know, you're getting
Said, you know, you're getting
a little too comfortable
A little too comfortable
sitting on this stool in the
Sitting on this stool in the
background singing oohs and
Background singing oohs and
ahs. I really want you to make
Ahs. I really want you to make
your own statement and make
Your own statement and make
your own record, you know? And
Your own record, you know?
And she, in effect, fired me.
She, in effect, fired me.
Luther vandross likes to say
luther vandross likes to say
that I fired him, but I never
That I fired him, but I never
really fired him. What I did
Really fired him. What I did
was to encourage him to believe
Was to encourage him to believe
in his own ability to produce
In his own ability to
produce his first album.
His first album. All
the monies that he was
all the monies that he was
making from a hugely lucrative
Making from a hugely lucrative
recording career as a sideman.
Recording career as a sideman.
He was putting back into going
He was putting back into going
into the studio and creating
Into the studio and
creating his records.
His records. Luther
said, hey man, I want
luther said, hey man, I want
to make a demo for my own
To make a demo for my own
music. And I was like, why
Music. And I was like, why
would you want to take all the
Would you want to take all the
headaches of being an artist?
Headaches of being an artist?
You know, your number one
You know, your number one
background singer in new york
Background singer in new york
city? No, I have a sound in my
City? No, I have a sound in my
head and I got to get it out.
Head and I got to get it out.
So we went in the studio Sunday
So we went in the studio Sunday
morning because that was the
Morning because that was the
only time he could get studio
Only time he could
get studio time.
Time. Everybody
played on spec.
Everybody played on spec.
Marcus miller, nat adderley,
Marcus miller, nat adderley,
junior, you know, all the
Junior, you know, all the
musicians, cissy houston, all
Musicians, cissy houston, all
the singers they all sang with
The singers they all
sang with for no money.
For no money. Nat
says, okay, here's how
nat says, okay, here's how it
goes, fellas. Boom boom boom
It goes, fellas. Boom boom boom
boom boom boom boom. I'm just
Boom boom boom boom. I'm just
reading boom boom boom boom
Reading boom boom boom boom
boom boom boom. This is a
Boom boom boom. This is
a quirky little bass line
All the record companies
passed on me, turned me down,
On me, turned me down,
including cbs, including epic,
Including cbs, including epic,
including epic and columbia.
Including epic and columbia.
Separately, as a matter of
separately, as a matter of fact.
And I went back to a
different person at epic with
Different person at epic with
never too much. That was my
Never too much. That was my
song, and that's how I got
Song, and that's how I got
signed. I can't feel myself.
Signed. I can't feel myself.
I don't want nobody else to
I don't want nobody
else to ever love me.
Ever love me. You are
my shining star, my
you are my shining star, my
guiding light, my love fantasy.
Guiding light, my love fantasy.
There's not a minute, hour,
There's not a minute, hour,
day or night that I don't love
Day or night that I don't love
you. You're at the top of my
You. You're at the
top of my list.
List. Cause I'm
always thinking
cause I'm always thinking of
you I still remember in the
Of you I still remember in the
days when I was scared to touch
Days when I was scared to
touch you. How I spend my day
You. How I spend my day
dreaming. Planning how to say I
Dreaming. Planning how to say
I love you. You must have known
Love you. You must have known
that I had feelings deep enough
That I had feelings deep enough
to swim in. That's when you
To swim in. That's when you
opened up your heart. And you
Opened up your heart. And
you told me to come in. Oh my
Love. A thousand
kisses from you.
You. I remember one take.
I remember one take. It
was just so easy to play.
It was just so easy to play.
Simple. I mean, we knew what we
Simple. I mean, we knew what we
were doing and I thought it was
Were doing and I thought it was
great. I was like, wow, this
Great. I was like, wow, this
sounded so different than
Sounded so different than
everything on the radio. But I
Everything on the radio. But I
didn't hear that it was going
To be a hit. A million days
in your arms is two grammy
Your arms is two grammy
nominations big hit song that
Nominations big hit song that
he had remained on the charts
He had remained on the
charts for 84 weeks.
For 84 weeks. Luther
vandross never too
luther vandross never too
much, never too much, never too
Much, never too much, never
too much, never too much
When I heard never too much,
I instantly recognized it as
Instantly recognized it as
being original, and he was wise
Being original, and he was wise
enough to know how to stand out
Enough to know how to stand
out and to have a hook that we
And to have a hook that
we wouldn't forget.
Wouldn't forget. I just don't
Want to stop. Oh. My
My love, my love,
love love love love.
Love love. I can
exactly weren't sure.
I can exactly weren't sure.
But man, when that thing hit
But man, when that thing hit
the airwaves, everybody else
The airwaves, everybody else
was sure. Never too much was on
Was sure. Never too much was
on the radio all day long, and
Relief. Absolutely free.
Listen to chasing life with
listen to chasing life with
me, doctor sanjay gupta,
Me, doctor sanjay gupta,
wherever you get your
Podcasts. Look here.
Roll back the rug.
Everybody. Move
all the tables and
move all the tables and
chairs we're going to have us
Chairs we're going to have
us a good time tonight.
A good time tonight. You
are cranking up there in
you are cranking up
there in the charts.
The charts. Yes.
Number one with a
yes. Number one with a
bullet in billboard. See you
Bullet in billboard.
See you there.
There. Moving up five notches.
Moving up five notches.
Second week in the countdown.
Second week in the countdown.
Here's luther vandross with
Here's luther vandross with
his third top 40 hit. Hey,
His third top 40
hit. Hey, look.
Look. Now, every night when I
now, every night when I
sleep, I dream of my baby.
Sleep, I dream of my
baby. She's such a lady.
She's such a lady. He
has been praised as the
he has been praised as the
most promising all around pop
Most promising all around pop
soul craftsman to emerge in the
Soul craftsman to emerge in the
80s. The man I'm referring to
80s. The man I'm referring
to is luther vandross, singer
Is luther vandross, singer
songwriter producer arranger
Songwriter producer arranger
whose latest album has recently
Whose latest album has recently
gone platinum. I'm all by to
Gone platinum. I'm all
by to my baby comes home.
My baby comes home. You
know somebody who has
you know somebody who has some
money to spend lives here.
Some money to spend lives here.
This is one spectacular house,
This is one spectacular
house, right? Baby?
Right? Baby? It was
the most exciting
it was the most exciting time
in the world. So, I mean,
Time in the world. So, I mean,
my head, my heart, everything
My head, my heart, everything
was immersed in this business.
Was immersed in this business.
Luther has released four
luther has released four
albums and all of them
Platinum. The. Baby, I'm
all right, all right.
Right, all right. It's
not only his voice
it's not only his voice
that's made him a superstar,
That's made him a
superstar, he's also a
Gifted producer, arranger, and
composer. He's been behind some
Composer. He's been behind some
of the great hit songs of david
Of the great hit songs of david
bowie, aretha franklin and my
Bowie, aretha franklin
and my baby calls.
Baby calls. I
gotta jump to it.
I gotta jump to it. One
of the the most exciting
one of the the most exciting
moments I have ever had is the
Moments I have ever had is the
day that I met aretha franklin.
Day that I met aretha franklin.
I jump, jump, jump, jump.
I jump, jump, jump, jump.
A lot of people to this day
a lot of people to this day
don't realize that he wrote
Don't realize that he wrote
those songs. He was a fantastic
Those songs. He was a fantastic
songwriter who became a great
Songwriter who became a great
artist and then who became a
Artist and then who became a
great performer. She was just a
Great performer. She was
just a triple threat.
Thank you very much. I'd like
to thank my producer, mr.
Like to thank my producer,
mr. Luther vandross. Yes, ma'am.
Luther vandross. Yes, ma'am.
Was it a thrill having had
was it a thrill having had
those people as your idols to
Those people as your idols
to produce their records?
Produce their records? Oh,
the biggest thrill in my
oh, the biggest thrill in
my life was was meeting and
Life was was meeting and
working with aretha and dionne.
Working with aretha and dionne.
And how many times can we
and how many times can
we give it one more
Try?
Before we. Really?
Say goodbye and you
sing. You get over luther
you get over luther vandross,
a big kentucky fried
Vandross, a big kentucky
fried chicken eating
But he put his on.
Beyonc bowl women go,
everybody is saying, oh, did
Everybody is saying, oh, did
you hear what eddie murphy
You hear what eddie murphy
said? I said, yeah, I love it.
Said? I said, yeah, I love it.
I think it's great. You know,
I think it's great. You know,
you have to know how to play
You have to know how
to play the game.
The game. If you're
going to have a
if you're going to have a
party, you got to party hearty.
Party, you got to party hearty.
You got to do this thing
you got to do this thing right.
Right. You know what
I'm saying? Woo! The
reason I did this is
the reason I did this is
because I had looked on the
Because I had looked on the
guest list to see who was
Guest list to see who
was coming, and I saw
Eddie's name. That's when I
got the idea. I said, we gotta
Got the idea. I said, we gotta
we have to address this. This
We have to address this.
This is going to be so funny.
Is going to be so funny.
There's been a lot of talk
There's been a lot of talk
going on about me lately.
Going on about me lately.
Don't think I don't know
Don't think I don't know
about it. And I didn't want to
About it. And I didn't want to
let eddie murphy down, you know
Let eddie murphy down,
you know what I'm
Saying? Ooh,
We're america's favorite.
But after bite, tender and
but after bite, tender and
juicy, we do it right for you.
Juicy, we do it right for you.
Yeah luther had been dealing
Yeah luther had been dealing
with this weight thing forever.
With this weight thing forever.
He was at his best in terms
he was at his best in terms
of his humor. When. When he
Got attacked or. Or there's a
situation that was difficult
Situation that was difficult
for him. His humor got him
Through. But it was hard
for him with him, it
Was all or nothing at all.
He was either eating or he was
dieting. And I used to just
Was dieting. And I used to just
say, just do it when you're
Say, just do it when you're
ready, you know? But he he felt
Ready, you know? But he he felt
like this was something that he
Like this was something that
he had to do, you know, to be
Had to do, you know, to be
accepted. What's there to say?
Accepted. What's
there to say? There's
Not much to talk about. And
whatever happened to all of the
Whatever happened to all
of the love that we had?
Love that we had?
Well, you have lost
so much weight.
Weight. You looks
you have lost
How much? 126 pounds.
126 pounds. Someone
was just saying over
someone was just saying over
there when they saw you sit
There when they saw you sit
down, they said, who's that?
Down, they said, who's that?
And I said, it's luther
And I said, it's luther
vandross. And they said, no,
Vandross. And they said, no,
no, no. He's about 150 pounds
No, no. He's about 150
pounds heavier than that.
Heavier than that. I'm
sure they want to know
I'm sure they want to know
who your diet doctor is. The
Who your diet doctor is. The
diet doctor, if anybody is, is,
Diet doctor, if anybody is, is,
uh, gianni versace. I was an
Uh, gianni versace. I was an
emotional eater. If something
Emotional eater. If something
if the music wasn't sounding
If the music wasn't sounding
right, I ate to cope any little
Right, I ate to cope any little
excuse that I could use, I
Excuse that I could use, I
would use to eat. And, um, I
Would use to eat. And, um, I
just decided not to not to do
Just decided not to
not to do that. You
Know, I just decided that that
that was not right for me. Give
That was not right for me. Give
me the reason I want you back.
Me the reason I want you back.
And why should I love you
and why should I love you again?
Again? You know,
I feel better, you
you know, I feel better, you
know, on stage, I move more.
Know, on stage, I move
more. Now, let's just say on
Stage I move now, whereas I
didn't before. And it hasn't
Didn't before. And it hasn't
affected my voice or my singing
Affected my voice or
my singing at all.
Back in the day, if you wanted
to fall in love, you let luther
To fall in love, you let luther
do the work for you. So I would
Do the work for you. So I would
put the phone up to the radio.
Put the phone up to the radio.
And what's crazy is you had to
And what's crazy is you had
to wait for it to come on the
Wait for it to come on the
radio, so I had to keep I'm
Radio, so I had to keep I'm
buying time until it came. And
Buying time until it came. And
here's luther vandross. Oh,
Here's luther vandross. Oh,
perfect. And I put the phone up
Perfect. And I put the phone
up to the radio, and I tell her
To the radio, and I tell her
this is what I want to tell.
This is what I want
to tell. Tell you. Let
Me hold you tight.
If only for one night.
Let me keep you. Need ease.
Now that you're feeling it, go
That you're feeling it, go
right back. To your fear. And I
Right back. To your fear. And
I can honestly say ten out of
Can honestly say ten out of
ten. 100 times out of 100
Ten. 100 times out of 100
times. I put that luther on
Times. I put that luther on
him. It is what it is. All
Him. It is what it is. All
night. The one night of your.
Night. The one night
of your. Love, of your
Love, of your. Love, your love.
He did that thing.
He does. Woo woo woo.
Woo woo woo. That's
what they think of
that's what they think of you
as. Because you send folks
You as. Because you
send folks to the
Bedroom one. Look in your eyes
and there I see you want to
And there I see you want to
give these lovely ladies a
Give these lovely ladies a
little preview of what a date
Little preview of what a
date would be like with you.
Would be like with you. Oh,
let me, let me run it by
oh, let me, let me run it by
you. First. We'll sail out on
You. First. We'll sail out on
my private yacht. You know, all
My private yacht. You know,
all alone under the stars. I've
Alone under the stars. I've
been fantasizing about you and
Been fantasizing about you and
kissing your picture and stuff.
Kissing your picture and stuff.
You look like you've been
Kissing a weed whacker. I look
in your eyes, so they call you
In your eyes, so they call you
doctor love. Now you let me
Doctor love. Now you let me
tell you something. I don't
Tell you something. I don't
really take that title. I want
Really take that title. I want
to be remembered as a premier
To be remembered as a premier
singer of our day, all right?
Singer of our day, all right?
Not as the love doctor. The
Love that we share. Makes
light. Because he was
makes light. Because he was
so, so into the singing aspect
So, so into the singing aspect
of things. He didn't want that
Of things. He didn't want that
to be all you. You got out of
To be all you. You got out
of the musical experience of
The musical experience of
seeing him. So he would talk us
Seeing him. So he would talk
us down from it, but they were
Down from it, but they
were still running to the
Bedroom. Here
And. Now. I
Promise to love
faithfully he was your
Love is all. I.
Need. Nine.
And I keep getting the
the whole story with anderson
cooper Sunday at 8:00
Anderson cooper
Sunday at 8:00 on
Cnn.
Singer luther vandross was
driving in north hollywood
Driving in north hollywood
Sunday when his mercedes jumped
Sunday when his mercedes jumped
the divider and collided with
The divider and collided
with two oncoming cars.
Two oncoming cars. One
person in vandross's car
one person in vandross's car
died. The singer is listed in
Died. The singer
is listed in fair
Condition tonight with
three broken ribs.
It was very tragic. You know,
I was in new york and he
Know, I was in new york and he
was in l.A., where the accident
Was in l.A., where the accident
happened. And I was talking to
Happened. And I was talking
to him in the hospital, and I
Him in the hospital, and I
said, man, are you okay? He
Said, man, are you okay? He
said, yeah, I'm good, man. I'm
Said, yeah, I'm good, man. I'm
good. I said, man, you need me
Good. I said, man, you need me
to come out. You know, that's
To come out. You know, that's
what we all say. You know, when
What we all say. You know, when
something happens, you know? He
Something happens, you know? He
said, actually, yeah. It's the
Said, actually, yeah. It's the
first time somebody ever said,
First time somebody ever said,
yeah, actually, yeah, I could
Yeah, actually, yeah, I could
use the support, you know.
Use the support, you know.
I lost one of my best friends,
and I just do not want
Friends, and I just do not want
to get back in touch with that
To get back in touch with that
in terms of doing an interview.
In terms of doing an interview.
And, and really, you know,
And, and really, you know,
talking about the I don't want
Talking about the I don't
want to relive that. That's an
To relive that. That's an
unfortunate thing that, you
Unfortunate thing
that, you know, that I
Wish had never happened.
So after he had the car
accident, it was a really rough
Accident, it was a really rough
time. But someone was killed in
Time. But someone was killed
in that accident, so it took a
That accident, so it took a
toll on him. And food was his
Toll on him. And
food was his panacea.
Food was his medicine, he
thought he said food has never
Thought he said food has never
let me down. And I said, yes,
Let me down. And I
said, yes, it has. Food
Is not your friend.
I was walking down the street
and this woman comes up
Street and this woman comes
up to me and she says, you're
To me and she says, you're
going to put it all back on,
Going to put it all back on,
just like luther did, which was
Just like luther did, which was
such a mean thing, you know,
Such a mean thing, you know,
such a mean thing to say.
Such a mean thing to say.
Anyone without the problem
anyone without the problem
may or may not understand the
May or may not understand the
full implication of what it is.
Full implication of what it
is. You know, it's all kinds of
You know, it's all kinds of
things. It's not just eating.
Things. It's not just
eating. It's not the food is
It's not the food is
incidental in it. It is more
Incidental in it. It is more
about your emotional state.
About your emotional state.
Right? Whatever your your
Right? Whatever your your
coping mechanism is, you know,
Coping mechanism is, you know,
if you feel hurt or betrayed
If you feel hurt or betrayed
you. Whether you know it or
Not, you go. You cope with
something. Something you cope
Something. Something you cope
with. You either go to church,
With. You either go to church,
you, you do drugs, you overeat,
You, you do drugs, you overeat,
you do something to cope.
You do something to cope.
We were preparing to tour
we were preparing to tour
and they said, we're going to
Cancel the tour. But then he
decided to go and we gave him
Decided to go and we gave him
so much love he needed to be on
So much love he needed to be on
the road. Even though that had
The road. Even though that
had happened. Mentally.
Happened. Mentally. And
that. And that's exactly
and that. And that's exactly
what we said to him. You need
What we said to him.
You need to come out.
To come out. And he
really felt that,
and he really felt
that, that vibe.
Can we
Try this? Kevin? Um, santa here
in front of that and you all
In front of that and you all
take a, um, I really would like
Take a, um, I really would
like to give a ride to each.
To give a ride to each. Now,
He was a hard taskmaster, which
means, you know, when we went
Means, you know, when we went
to rehearsal or when we were
To rehearsal or when we were
putting the show together, we
Putting the show together,
we really worked.
Really worked. Right?
Right? And just.
You don't have to
and just. You don't have to
get here at the same time
Get here at the same time
because there's different
Because there's different
distances, you know, to travel.
Distances, you know, to travel.
We wave at you. Was that
we wave at you. Was that power
of love when we walk down
Power of love when we
walk down the street?
The street? That's this one.
That's this one. Okay.
Okay. When we I
just need in my
when we I just need in my
head to know where I end and
Head to know where I
end and where to go.
Where to go. Ten
hour days, six days a
ten hour days, six days a
week. That's right. Ten hour
Week. That's right.
Ten hour days. Me and
Lisa was like, are choreography
early? And then we would be
Early? And then we would be
learning it. And then luther
Learning it. And then luther
would come in and sit there and
Would come in and sit there and
watch us do the choreography
Watch us do the choreography
and try to put in, put the
And try to put in, put the
music with it. He'd be like,
Music with it. He'd be like,
excuse me, I'm not playing the
Excuse me, I'm not playing
the lottery. So get it right?
Lottery. So get it right?
That's right. You know, so you
Have. No one, no one, no one,
No one, no one,
No one, no one, no. One,
No. No. One.
We got a trailer for
lisa when she comes in.
When she comes
in. Right. Okay.
Right. Okay. He would
cast vocally, cast
he would cast vocally, cast
the right people with the right
Vibration of sound, the right
weight in their voice to
Weight in their voice to
complement the other person's
Complement the other
person's voice.
Voice. It was
almost like being a
it was almost like being a
film director for your ears
The rhythm is. To
Who? Who? Who. And it
goes on a cycle until
and it goes on a cycle
until the band fades out.
The band fades out. I
sure like us going back to
I sure like us going back to
this one again. It's easier.
This one again. It's easier.
Okay, so close your eyes
okay, so close your
eyes closer. And
You can feel it.
The requirement of
the requirement of perfection
and the willingness
Perfection and the willingness
to take whatever time you
To take whatever time you
needed and spend whatever money
Needed and spend whatever money
you needed to accomplish that
You needed to accomplish
that because it's going to be
Because it's going to be right.
Right. You got to
Believe in love. It's feeling
at next turn and then stop
At next turn and then stop
until we are one with the power
Until we are one with
the power of love.
Of love. Tell
everyone when you're
tell everyone when you're out
there on the road, man, you
Out there on the road, man, you
know you have your good nights
Know you have your good nights
and your bad nights. No man.
And your bad nights. No man.
Every night, every night he was
Every night, every night he
was nailing it. And he expected
Nailing it. And he expected
everybody to nail it. Also,
When we walk down the
Street, we don't care who we
see or who meeting don't need
See or who meeting
don't need to run.
To run. Don't need
to hide. Cause
We've got something
burning inside.
Hey, we've got. Love
Love, power, power. We
all appreciated the witch
we all appreciated the witch
because it was making us
Because it was making us
better. And we saw year after
Better. And we saw year
after year how how we were
Year how how we were
developing. We were ready to
Developing. We were ready to
get up every day and go to work
Get up every day and go to work
for him. I know, I know that
For him. I know, I
know that we've got.
We've got. Love. We
got love with all
love. We got love with all of
the power. Yes, with all of
Of the power. Yes, with all of
the power. The greatest power
The power. The
greatest power of
Them all. Oh. Love the love,
the love power. Somewhere in
The love power. Somewhere in
the world together we can fall
The world together we can fall
I know, I know that we got
I know, I know that we got love.
Love. People would
say you could
people would say you could
just go on stage with a
Just go on stage with a
flashlight and not spend any
Flashlight and not spend any
money on staging and clothes.
Money on staging and clothes.
And we'd be fine with that. He
And we'd be fine with
that. He wasn't fine with
Me awake at night. Tossing and
turning my. Want a kiss? Wanna
Turning my. Want a kiss? Wanna
hold your soul to. Ooh. But I
Hold your soul to.
Ooh. But I want
To love. Whether you know or
not. When you just hug me away.
Not. When you just hug me away.
Leaving me laying there and
leaving me laying there and I
just want to be the one that
I just want to be the
one that you want to see.
You want to see. The
elegance of those
the elegance of those
dresses. Every dress was
Dresses. Every dress was
hand-beaded and just so
Hand-beaded and just so
beautiful. So beautiful.
Beautiful. So beautiful.
Fly away almost every day.
Fly away almost every day.
You're work a lot. You
you're work a lot. You never
stop to love I love you.
Never stop to love I love
you. Stop, stop. Come
Home from the road. Gotta
stop to love. Yeah. And
Let's celebrate. Celebrate
the love we got. Stop.
Love we got. Stop. He
designed many of the
he designed many of the
costumes himself and said.
Costumes himself and said.
Listen, this is my idea. And
Listen, this is my idea. And
took it to somebody and say,
Took it to somebody and say,
this is what I want you to
This is what I want you to
create. That is the key to
Create. That is the key to
luther's entire career. You
Luther's entire career. You
know, people don't understand
Know, people don't understand
those amazing shows and all of
Those amazing shows and all
of the regalia, all of the
The regalia, all of the
costuming and all the staging
Costuming and all the staging
and all that kind of stuff. He
And all that kind of stuff.
He was putting his money into
Was putting his money into
putting on those shows. Have
We got some? So
You're coming. Home? Oh,
up to love. All right.
I love you. Stop, stop,
Stop. I feel my. To the beat.
All right. We are live for
all right. We are live
for our tribute to luther.
Our tribute to luther.
Everybody's here
Right? At this time. Our guest
of honor has arrived. Ladies
Of honor has arrived. Ladies
and gentlemen, mr. Luther
And gentlemen,
mr. Luther vandross.
Luther, welcome. Thank you.
Glad to be here. Luther
Glad to be here. Luther
vandross, look at all your
Vandross, look at all your
fans. How does it feel when you
Fans. How does it feel when
you see luther was r&b music?
See luther was r&b music?
It was great r&b music. And
it was great r&b music. And
a lot of that was to his
A lot of that was to his
benefit. But it would only be
Benefit. But it would only be
played on black radio. So it
Played on black radio. So it
became a challenge is when he
Became a challenge is when he
wanted to cross over because
Wanted to cross over because
luther was not necessarily
Luther was not necessarily
embraced or given the freedom
Embraced or given the freedom
to do it the same way that
To do it the same way that
other artists that don't look
Like luther are. He
felt very strongly that
he felt very strongly that
he was being treated in a
He was being treated
in a racist way by
The executives. He felt it from
the budgets that he was being
The budgets that he was being
given to make records to the
Given to make records to the
amount of money that they were
Amount of money that they were
spending to promote. When he'd
Spending to promote. When he'd
look around and know that the
Look around and know that the
promotion budgets for that
Promotion budgets for that
white artist or that white
White artist or that white
artist were triple what they
Artist were triple what they
were spending on his records.
Were spending on his records.
He was not a guy who sort of
He was not a guy who sort of
just made records and stayed
Just made records and stayed
out of the business side of it.
Out of the business side of it.
He was very astute. He was a
He was very astute. He was a
very astute businessman, and he
Very astute
businessman, and he he
Knew what was happening.
The concept of crossing over
the concept of crossing over
was really so important,
Was really so
important, honestly, to
Every artist, radio in america
really was black, white, black,
Really was black, white, black,
white. And when you had the
White. And when you had the
ability to cross over, if you
Ability to cross over, if you
were fortunate enough to cross
Were fortunate enough to cross
over, really what that did for
Over, really what that did
for you was give you way more
You was give you way more
record sales, because now you
Record sales, because now you
had other lanes. You didn't
Had other lanes. You didn't
just get played on the black
Just get played on the black
station, you got played on the
Station, you got played on
the white stations as well.
White stations as well.
When records and cds were
when records and cds were sold
in stores, when you walked
Sold in stores, when you walked
into the store, it was very
Into the store, it was very
rare that black records were
Rare that black records were
even at the front of the store.
Even at the front of the store.
So if you just came in to
So if you just came in to
browse and you were a fan of
Browse and you were a fan of
black music, you walk in the
Black music, you walk in the
store and you're just looking
Store and you're just looking
and you ain't really. Do they
And you ain't really. Do they
even sell black music in here?
Even sell black music in here?
And then somebody is telling
And then somebody is telling
you and it's at the back. This
You and it's at the back. This
is real talk. And when you go
Is real talk. And when you go
to the back, it's starting to
To the back, it's starting to
smell like mice. And you know
Smell like mice. And you know
what I'm saying? The speakers
What I'm saying? The speakers
are staticky. And are they even
Are staticky. And are they
even playing black music in the
Playing black music in the
record store for you to get
Record store for you to get
that taste of, oh, should I buy
That taste of, oh, should I buy
that? And luther was fighting
That? And luther was fighting
all of this. That's why when
All of this. That's why when
you hear him quoted so often, I
You hear him quoted so often, I
want a number one record. Some
Want a number one record. Some
of that is I want a number one
Of that is I want a number one
record. Some of it is I want to
Record. Some of it is I want
to be treated fairly in this
Be treated fairly
in this business.
Business. Live from the shrine
live from the shrine
auditorium in los angeles, the
Auditorium in los angeles,
the 28th annual grammy awards
28th annual grammy
awards tonight.
Tonight. Luther
wanted to be number
luther wanted to be number one
on the pop charts, and then
One on the pop charts, and then
he also wanted a grammy. Now,
He also wanted a grammy. Now,
most of us are too cool to want
Most of us are too cool to want
a grammy. You know you want it.
A grammy. You know you want
it. You're too cool to say you
You're too cool to say you
want it. Luther didn't care
Want it. Luther didn't care
about that. He's like, I want
About that. He's like, I want
my grandmother. And it took a
My grandmother. And it took a
while and the grammy goes to
While and the grammy goes to
terence trent d'arby. We're
Terence trent d'arby. We're
here to present the grammy for
Here to present the grammy for
best r&b performance, male.
Best r&b performance, male.
And the grammy goes to mr.
And the grammy goes
to mr. Stevie wonder.
Stevie wonder. And
the grammy goes to.
And the grammy goes to. Living
in america, james brown.
She calls me up, he says, so
the grammys are in new york
The grammys are in new york
this year. He'd been nominated
This year. He'd been nominated
nine times before and had not
Nine times before and had not
won. He said, I ain't gonna
Won. He said, I ain't gonna
win. So listen, just come with
Win. So listen, just come with
me. You know, we'll go to the
Me. You know, we'll go to the
ceremony, we'll go out and eat.
Ceremony, we'll go out and eat.
We'll hang out the nominations
We'll hang out the nominations
for best. Regina belle and
For best. Regina belle and
michael bolton are on the stage
Michael bolton are on the stage
calling out the names, and the
Calling out the names,
and the grammy goes to.
Luther
Vandross. Sam nunn. And I could
feel him go like this. And then
Feel him go like this. And then
he just sort of calmed down and
He just sort of calmed down
and just got really cool
For. Your I mean, I'm stunned.
I said, so this is a dude I met
I said, so this is a dude I met
in the projects, and he's here
In the projects, and he's here
tonight winning a grammy for
Tonight winning a
grammy for here and
Now. You know, love is all.
Your love is all I need
I'm so glad. I'm so
glad. I'm so glad.
I'm so glad. I'm so glad.
I'm so glad. I'm so glad. I'm
I'm so glad. I'm so
glad. I'm so glad.
So glad. I'm so glad. Yes,
I am. That I won a grammy.
So you walk into the studio
so you walk into the studio
the next day, says everyone
The next day, says everyone
here you are to address me for
Here you are to address me for
the rest of the day as luther,
The rest of the day as luther,
grammy winner vandross. So we
Grammy winner vandross. So we
laughed, right? And he made us
Laughed, right? And he made
us do that for the whole day.
Do that for the
whole day. It's
About time. Time, time, time.
Time, time, time. I had to get
That in. Yeah yeah
yeah yeah. Those shows
Can weirdly inspire you because
if you get shut out so many
If you get shut out so many
times, if you think about it,
Times, if you think about
it, luther's music just kept
Luther's music just kept
getting better. It kept getting
Getting better. It kept getting
better. He said, I'm going to
Better. He said, I'm going to
be undenied. And so it could be
Be undenied. And so it could be
the blessing and the curse. Of
The blessing and the curse. Of
course, he should have won a
Course, he should have won a
grammy nine times. Of the nine
Grammy nine times.
Of the nine times
He was shut out, but
cnn's five things with kate
baldwin now streaming on max I
Baldwin now streaming
on max I try to
Do songs that I think I can do
differently, you know, and that
Differently, you know, and that
I think fit me, you know, sort
I think fit me, you know, sort
of like a what somebody chooses
Of like a what somebody chooses
to wear, you know, when they're
To wear, you know, when they're
going to go to the academy
Going to go to the academy
awards or something.
Awards or something. You
know, they choose that
you know, they choose that
special thing, you know? So
Special thing, you know? So
that's the way I try to look
That's the way I try to
look at the tunes I cover.
At the tunes I cover. Now,
unlike a lot of artists
now, unlike a lot of artists
from like the 80s and 90s up to
From like the 80s and 90s up to
today, luther, his esthetic was
Today, luther, his esthetic
was from the 60s and the 70s.
From the 60s and the 70s.
Luther had heard superstar in
Luther had heard superstar
in the early 70s.
Long ago,
And oh, so far away. And
I'll never forget one
and I'll never forget one day
he walks in and says, man,
Day he walks in and says,
man, we're going to record
We're going to record
superstar. I said, the
Superstar. I said,
the carpenters.
He goes, yeah. And I said,
okay, I know, I know better
Okay, I know, I know better
than to question you, but I
Than to question you, but
I need to see how this is
Going to work. I
Want to tell you, baby
The changes I've been going
Through. Missing
You. Listen, you.
Listen, you. Um,
when luther does a
um, when luther does a cover,
it's going to be slower
Cover, it's going to be slower
than the original version, and
Than the original version, and
he asked for an intro, and I
He asked for an intro, and
I just went home and started
Just went home and started
arranging. That was the first
Arranging. That was the first
full arrangement that I did for
Him. Long ago.
And
I'm so far away.
I fell in love with you
Before
The second. Show oh
Don't you remember?
You told me you love
Me, baby. You said
you'll be coming
Back this way again.
Baby. Baby, baby baby, baby
Oh baby yeah I
Love you
I really do he was
such a master at space.
Master at space. He
would let space go by.
He would let space go by.
And get your anticipation up
And get your anticipation up
for the next line. There were
For the next line. There were
huge pauses where it was just
Huge pauses where it was just
emotionally affect you. When he
Emotionally affect you. When he
finally came back in, you look
Finally came back in,
you look for me to be.
For me to be. Yours.
You are my lord. To
yours. You are my lord. To
on the road to be. Don't you
Remember me? Anyone?
And you know, there's one
point in the song where he
Point in the song where he
goes, keep it right there, keep
Goes, keep it right there, keep
it right there. Because we got
It right there. Because we got
to that little part in the song
To that little part in the song
that luther likes to add after
That luther likes to add after
the song is supposed to be
The song is supposed to be
ended, keep it right there. And
Ended, keep it right there. And
he's telling me and the rest
He's telling me and the rest
of the guys who like to play
Of the guys who like to play
jazz don't jazz this thing up.
Jazz don't jazz this thing up.
Keep it right there. Play it
Keep it right there. Play it
easy. That's what he said.
Easy. That's what he said.
Play it easy. Keep it right
play it easy. Keep it
right there. Play it easy.
There. Play it easy. Keep
it right there. Keep it
keep it right there. Keep it
right there. Yeah, yeah, yeah
Right there. Yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah I
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
yeah yeah I said okay.
Said okay. Well what
are you going to
well what are you going to
do is he's going to turn his
Do is he's going to turn his
vocal off when the song gets
Vocal off when the song gets
mixed. No, he just left it
Mixed. No, he just left it
right there. And it became one
Right there. And it became one
of the most wonderful parts of
Of the most wonderful
parts of the song.
The song.
And I do. Remember
even though it.
Was. Long ago.
Yeah, yeah,
Yeah, yeah.
So how do I do it? Right.
Let me let me tell you
let me let me tell you
something. Oh. Right there.
Something. Oh. Right there.
Okay. Let me give it because I
Okay. Let me give it because
I like the low end. Yeah. He
Like the low end. Yeah. He
knows if you show yourself
Knows if you show
yourself right.
Right. They all know her.
They all know her. They
love her. I wait until
they love her. I wait until
the end. Wait until after the
The end. Wait until
after the song.
Song. Yeah.
Yeah. And they
know the record,
and they know the
record, right? Exactly.
Right? Exactly. Luther
just had such a pure
luther just had such a pure
heart that came out through his
Heart that came out through his
vocals and his music in general
Vocals and his music in general
that, you know, it really was,
That, you know, it really was,
like, otherworldly, like from
Like, otherworldly,
like from out
Of a dream.
And in this dream, there
was a major diva in
The wings waiting for me.
Oh, yes. She will
appear out of
she will appear
out of somewhere.
Somewhere. I was so
nervous because I
I was so nervous because I
had never probably played in a
Had never probably played in a
place that big before. It's the
Place that big before. It's the
beginning of the performance
Beginning of the performance
and luther's like. I'm seeking
And luther's like. I'm seeking
out a diva and she's here and
Out a diva and she's
here and she's there.
And I really was honored when
he brought me out to sing
With him. My. Love there's only
You in my life. The
only thing that's
Right. You.
My first love, your every
breath that I take. Mariah kept
Breath that I take. Mariah kept
coming up with song titles that
Coming up with song titles that
she thought I would sound good
She thought I would
sound good singing.
Singing. And then
She suggested endless love.
And she says, oh, and I'll
and she says, oh, and
I'll sing it with you.
Sing it with you.
I want to share all
My love. So I guess
it was my idea.
So I guess it was my idea.
If luther said it was. But I
If luther said it was. But
I couldn't have been happier
Couldn't have been happier
because I was such a fan of his
Because I was such a fan of
his and luther being one of the
And luther being one of the
greatest vocalists is something
Greatest vocalists is something
that I really was inspired by.
That I really was inspired
by. I'll be that fool for
You, for you, baby. Oh.
So sure that your know I
Don't mind. You know
I don't, I don't mind
Yes
You be the only
One. Cause no one, no one can
Deny this love I have
inside you. And I give it
All to you. Oh my, love, my
love, my my, my, my endless.
Love
La la la la la la la
la la la la la la la la
La. La
La la. Love hair.
Do la la la la la
la la la la la love.
My. Love, played a
Downbeat like that for a verse.
Yeah. No a one more time.
Every time you go away, I'm
gone. Yes, I always say. It's
Goodbye, dear.
Loving you the way
I do. Check it out.
It out. Right.
Right. I take you back.
Without you I died in
Knowing
I love you so anyone
a little would make me
Any. Arms. And love
Me too. You couldn't really
ever. Have. And let like you
Ever. Have. And
let like you had
Me and. Listen to
what am I to do?
Do? What I loved more than
what I loved more than
anything else about hearing the
Anything else about hearing the
songs that he decided he wanted
Songs that he decided he wanted
to record of mine was that he
Made them his own. It wasn't
all I'm going to sing like
All I'm going to sing like
dion sang it. I'm going to sing
Dion sang it. I'm going
to sing it like luther.
It like luther.
Mr. Luther vandross
Whoa!
Dum dum dum
Dum dum dum dum. Hey, baby.
Hey, baby. Whoa,
honey, I remember
whoa, honey, I remember
hearing a house is not a home
Hearing a house is not a home
for the first time. I couldn't
For the first time. I couldn't
believe that I was here. I told
Believe that I was here. I told
him, I said, baby doll, you
Him, I said, baby doll,
you have just given me the
Have just given me the
definitive version of that
Definitive version of that song.
Song. a
Chair is still a chair. Even
When there's no.
One sitting there.
Like what? He's singing about
he's singing about
furniture in this did sound
Furniture in this did sound
great. You know what I'm
Great. You know what I'm
saying? We at wayfair put a
Saying? We at wayfair put a
chair is still a chair but.
Chair is still a
chair but. All I.
All I. Room is
not a house. And a
room is not a house. And a
house is not a. Home when the
House is not a.
Home when the two
Of us, we are far apart and
One of us. Has a. Broken
Heart. Yeah. I got
to say, when I was
I got to say, when I was
being honored by the naacp and
Being honored by the
naacp and he performed it
For me, it was it was
overwhelming. It really was,
Overwhelming. It really was,
because he just showed out that
Because he just showed out that
night. He really did. Cause
Night. He really did. Cause
I'm not meant to live alone.
I'm not meant to live alone.
No no no no no no no no no
no no no no no no no no no
no. Time is house. Into a home
No. Time is house. Into
a home when I climb the.
Stairs. When I turn the. Key.
Oh please be there saying that
Oh please be there saying that
you're still in love. Your. So
In love with me
Oh.
I'm not meant to live.
Alone. Time. This house into
alone. Time. This house
into a home where I
Climb the stairs. Reach
out and turn the. Key.
Oh baby please be there
and still in love.
With.
Me. When?
Me. Oh love still
In love. Oh, with me.
Yeah.
We'll come to
you. 800 821 4000.
What up, what up? The
moment hip hop got on
the moment hip hop got on
the radio, it became a huge
Challenge for artists like
luther and all those r&b
Luther and all those r&b artists
Who dominated radio. And it
became hip hop's time. So a lot
Became hip hop's time. So a
lot of artists from luther's
Of artists from luther's
generation got a little quiet
Generation got a little quiet
for them, not to the point that
For them, not to the point that
they weren't successful, but
They weren't successful, but
not successful in the way that
Not successful in
the way that they
Had previously been successful.
Well, I haven't released a
well, I haven't released a
product in a couple of years
Product in a couple of years
now, and it'll be interesting
Now, and it'll be interesting
because I'm about to sign a new
Because I'm about to sign
a new record deal now.
Record deal now. Wait
wait wait wait wait
wait wait wait wait wait
wait wait. You're going to
Wait wait. You're going to
side with I read this, you're
Side with I read this, you're
going to side with clive davis,
Going to side with clive davis,
I am yeah, you are going to
I am yeah, you are going to
sign with jay records with his
Sign with jay records
with his new label?
New label? Absolutely. Yeah.
Absolutely. Yeah. Clive
davis is so known for
clive davis is so known for
his expertise as an executive
His expertise as an executive
producer. Aretha came to clive.
Producer. Aretha came to clive.
Dionne came to clive. Whitney
Dionne came to clive. Whitney
started with clive. He's just
Started with clive. He's just
instrumental in a lot of black
Instrumental in a lot of black
artists lives. And so if I'm
Artists lives. And so if I'm
luther vandross and I'm a
Luther vandross and I'm a
little bit at a turning point.
Little bit at a turning point.
Clive can seem like. Um, a very
Clive can seem like. Um,
a very soft place to land.
Soft place to land. I
was just starting my new
I was just starting my new
record label, j records, and we
Record label, j records, and
we agreed to have dinner.
Agreed to have dinner.
Luther had one mission in
Mind for that denim. Do you
believe that I could have hit
Believe that I could have hit
again? Said he, and I said,
Again? Said he, and I said,
that opens up my question to
That opens up my question
to you. Will you be open to
My finding some outside songs
for you? He said, I am totally
For you? He said, I am
totally open to outside
Material. He sold
over 20 million
he sold over 20 million
albums worldwide, and
Albums worldwide, and
apparently he's definitely not
Apparently he's
definitely not done.
Done. Luther had
a voice like no
Other spectacular, and he
was back to being platinum,
Making a special appearance.
106 and park, y'all better
106 and park, y'all better
stand up right now. Give it up
Stand up right now. Give it
up for the one and only luther
For the one and only
luther vandross.
Vandross. All right?
All right? I'm
happier now than I've
I'm happier now than I've
ever been, but I expect to one
Ever been, but I expect to one
day be the happiest I can be.
Day be the happiest I can be.
I'm still looking for that
I'm still looking for that
meaningful other person in my
Meaningful other person in my
life. That is something that
Life. That is something that
baffles me that I haven't been
Baffles me that I haven't been
able to find. That seems like
Able to find. That seems like
such a basic thing. Sometimes I
Such a basic thing. Sometimes
I think that that fate has to
Think that that fate has
to work with you, you
Know, to find certain things. I
mean, if fate wants you to find
Mean, if fate wants you to
find love, you can hide in the
Love, you can hide in the
basement of your house with all
Basement of your house with all
the doors bolted, you know, and
The doors bolted, you know,
and it'll still happen. Yeah.
It'll still happen.
Yeah. Let's go.
Let's go. You've
done a number of
you've done a number of
great songs over the years.
Great songs over the years.
Which two were your favorite
And why? Mhm. Any love
remains my favorite
any love remains
my favorite song.
Song. Really? Why?
Because it is
Probably the only real
autobiographical song that I
Autobiographical song that I
wrote. That's exactly the way
Wrote. That's exactly the way
I was feeling when I wrote the
I was feeling when
I wrote the song.
Song. I speak to
myself sometimes
I speak to myself
sometimes and I
Say, oh, my. In a lot of ways
you're a lucky guy. And oh,
Now all you need is a
chance to try. And it
Love. In my heart there's a
need to shout die and scream
Need to shout die and scream
and cry and let me out.
There are all those feelings
that I want to touch any. Love.
When people ask me, tell me
about luther. I said, just
About luther. I said, just
listen to any love. Just listen
Listen to any love. Just
listen to those lyrics.
To those lyrics. You
Know, I got everything. I
speak to myself sometimes
I speak to myself sometimes
and I say, oh, my. In a lot of
And I say, oh, my. In a lot of
ways you're a lucky guy. Now
Ways you're a lucky guy. Now
all you need is a chance to try
All you need is a
chance to try any love
Right? Any love
And all everyone needs love.
No doubt. Any love. Any
Love. And all
everybody feels alone
Without any love.
Any love. And
I know there's someone waiting
To enter my. Life. Come
into my life and oh,
come into my life and oh,
suddenly out of the clear blue
Suddenly out of
the clear blue sky.
Sky. Oh yeah.
Oh yeah. That
Was that day.
Jon hamm. Oh, goodness.
And the next line is what?
And the next line is what?
Because I'm trying to think,
Because I'm trying to think,
why is it autobiographical?
Why is it autobiographical?
Lonely tears start to fill
lonely tears start to fill my
eyes. Oh, I get weak, but I
My eyes. Oh, I get weak, but
I refuse to cry. I've got to
Refuse to cry. I've got to
keep holding on. You know it
Keep holding on. You
know it was one of those
Days. Y'all.
Everyone needs love.
No doubt. Any love
Any love. And oh,
I love, love, love
and oh, I love, love, love
that song. And he loved before
That song. And he loved before
I worked for luther. But once I
I worked for luther. But once
I started working for luther, I
Started working for luther, I
could see that the desperation
Could see that the desperation
described in that song was
Described in that song was
real. And I hated that song
Real. And I hated that song
after that because it always
After that because it always
reminded me that he wasn't
Reminded me that he
wasn't seeking love.
Seeking love. He was
seeking any love.
He was seeking any love. Is
There. Any?
Love?
That he would say, I feel like
a trick has been played on me.
A trick has been played on me.
What do you mean? Well, god
what do you mean? Well, god
has given me everything I asked
Has given me everything I asked
for except for this one thing
For except for this one
thing to have one person
Who loves me. And we would say,
but luther, you know we love
But luther, you know we love
you. And he said, I know you
You. And he said, I know you
guys love me. That's not what
Guys love me. That's not what
I'm talking about. So we never
I'm talking about. So we never
made that a focal point of our
Made that a focal point of
our relationship. And we were
Relationship. And we were
together quite a bit. Our dream
Together quite a bit. Our dream
for luther was just that he
For luther was just that he
could be loved and appreciated
Could be loved and appreciated
for who he was, because he was
For who he was, because he
was a wonderful human being
His life had some extremely
joyful moments and some really
Joyful moments and some
really difficult moments.
Difficult moments. There
was one time, after
there was one time, after
luther lost all the weight.
Luther lost all the weight.
There was a rumor that he died
There was a rumor that he
died or that he had aids or
Or that he had
aids or something.
Something. Now,
last week there was
now, last week there was
last. Last year there were a
Last. Last year there were a
lot of rumors because you got
Lot of rumors
because you got thin.
Thin. Yeah.
Yeah. You're not
going to ask me
you're not going to ask me
about that stupid thing?
About that stupid thing?
No, I'm going to ask you
no, I'm going to ask you
what diet you went on.
What diet you went
on. So irresponsibly.
So irresponsibly.
I'm not going to even
I'm not going to
even mention it.
Mention it. There
was a report out, a
there was a report out, a
rumor out, that luther was
Rumor out, that luther was dead.
Dead. Oh, yeah?
Oh, yeah? Did you
guys see that?
Did you guys see that?
Yeah, I heard it. Yeah.
Yeah, I heard it. Yeah.
There was. So finally, it
there was. So finally, it
just made me realize you have
Just made me realize you
have to just. I copped to
It. I died, and
can you imagine?
Imagine? He said,
man, I'm sitting
he said, man, I'm sitting
here in the living room
Here in the living room
watching tv on Sunday, and the
Watching tv on Sunday, and the
pastor is saying a prayer for
Pastor is saying a prayer for
me because I just passed. He
Me because I just passed. He
went, no, I'm still here. Can
Went, no, I'm still here. Can
you imagine? I mean, this is
You imagine? I mean, this is
like I tell a lot of you young
Like I tell a lot of you young
people, fame and fortune,
People, fame and fortune,
fortunes. Cool. Fame is not
Fortunes. Cool. Fame
is not always so
Cool.
Knowing love the way
I do. I can say for
Certain that it's
true. There's a
Chance for me and you.
Oh, what do you say? You
oh, what do you say? You
spent more time being in love
Spent more time being in
love or like, waiting for
Love? Waiting,
waiting. And the
waiting, waiting. And the
time that was spent being in
Time that was spent being
in love was largely,
Love was largely,
unfortunately. Always
Unfortunately. Always
unrequited. Unreciprocated.
Unrequited. Unreciprocated.
Whatever the word is, you know
Whatever the word is, you
know what I'm saying? Now, I
What I'm saying?
Now, I remember
Spending all my time
on a dream that kept
Me wishing that you could
Be. Mine.
Yeah, I don't consider myself
unlovable by any stretch, but
Unlovable by any stretch,
but no, it has. That had not
No, it has. That had not
happened, you know, so I I'm
Happened, you know, so I I'm
still waiting for me to get the
Still waiting for me
to get the love I've
Been missing. Sometimes
love takes a long time.
Takes a long time.
But wait for love.
But wait for love. And
you're gonna get it up
and you're gonna get it up
chance to love, wait for love.
Chance to love, wait for
love. Wait for love. And
You. You. Yeah, I love.
Takes. It always made me
takes. It always made me
sad. Because I always wanted
Sad. Because I always wanted
luther to find whatever would
Luther to find whatever
would fulfill his heart.
Fulfill his heart. There's
something inside of
Luther that he just. I think,
in some ways, felt like he
In some ways, felt like
he couldn't share all of
Himself.
I think that because of the
stigma back then, if he was
Stigma back then, if he was
gay, the thought of, quote
Gay, the thought of, quote
coming out that he couldn't
Coming out that he couldn't
bear it, he'd rather be alone
Than have that stigma attached.
One of the things that
really me off is there were
Really me off is there were
people who have talked about
People who have talked about
his personal life who, you
His personal life who,
you know, he considered
Friends. Did he
struggle with the
did he struggle with the
idea of coming out publicly?
Idea of coming out publicly?
Was that was that something
Was that was that something
that you talked about at all?
That you talked about at
all? We talked about it.
We talked about it. It
was basically he did not
it was basically he did not
want his mother to be, although
Want his mother to be, although
she might have known, but he
She might have known, but he
wasn't going to come out and
Wasn't going to come out and
say this to the world. And he
Say this to the world. And he
had a lot of lady fans, and he
Had a lot of lady fans, and
he told me that he just didn't
Told me that he just
didn't want to upset the
World. I don't
really know what I
I don't really know what I
want to say. I'm going to
Want to say. I'm going
to always respect
Whatever position he
took. Questions about my
questions about my
sexuality. Well, I suppose
Just always be questions. Let
me tell you who I owe answers
Me tell you who I owe answers
to. What I owe you is my music,
To. What I owe you is my music,
my talent, my best effort. You
My talent, my best effort.
You know, that's all. I will
Neither deny or confirm that
any such rumors about personal
Any such rumors about personal
things like that are true or
Things like that are true
or untrue. I won't give the
Untrue. I won't give the
satisfaction of a denial,
Satisfaction of a denial,
because that is a submission of
Because that is a submission of
sorts. I wouldn't even address
Sorts. I wouldn't even address
it. I would just say, mind your
It. I would just say, mind
your own business. That's my
Own business. That's
my response to that.
You seem to be at a weight
that you're comfortable with.
That you're comfortable with.
How did you lose it? And are
how did you lose it? And are
you feeling better these days
You feeling better these days
than you have in a long time?
Than you have in a long time?
I am feeling better. I'm
I am feeling better. I'm
somewhere in the middle right
Somewhere in the middle right
now, but I'm feeling better
Now, but I'm feeling better
than I than I do when I'm
Than I than I do when I'm
really obese. I lost a 120
Really obese. I lost a 120
pounds put on a some fraction
Pounds put on a some fraction
of that. I'm not giving any
Of that. I'm not
giving any specifics.
Specifics. You look
great at whatever
you look great at whatever
weight you're currently at.
Weight you're currently at.
Luther vandross, thank you so
Much for joining us. So
the whole thing of being
so the whole thing of being
fat and being thin and being
Fat and being thin and being
fat and being thin, we always
Fat and being thin, we always
told him, dude, you can't keep
Told him, dude, you can't keep
this up. Can't you just find
This up. Can't you just find
out where your basic? Because
Out where your basic? Because
everybody normalizes at a
Everybody normalizes at a
certain place. But if you have
Certain place. But if you have
diabetes, you don't know what
Diabetes, you don't know what
anybody's negotiating with at
Anybody's negotiating with at
any one time. And so we must
Any one time. And so we must
not forget that above all
Things, luther was a diabetic.
You know, we all worried
you know, we all worried
about it because it's how many
About it because it's how many
times can your body take that?
Times can your body take that?
And he says, robin, you don't
And he says, robin, you don't
have the same problem I have.
Have the same problem I have.
He said, I obsess about food.
He said, I obsess about food.
He said, I'm thinking about
He said, I'm thinking about
food from the time I wake up
Food from the time I wake up
until the time I go to sleep.
Until the time I go to sleep.
And I just said, whoa I read in
And I just said, whoa I read
in a magazine once, this is the
A magazine once, this is the
weirdest question I'm sure
Weirdest question I'm sure
you've ever heard, but I read
You've ever heard, but I
read in a magazine one of the
In a magazine one of the
strangest things you had ever
Strangest things you had ever
eaten was a hamburger between
Eaten was a hamburger between
two glazed donuts because you
Two glazed donuts because you
couldn't find any hamburger
Couldn't find any
hamburger rolls.
Rolls. Is that a
true story? And
is that a true story? And how
Disgusting was that?
Disgusting. Oh no. No, that
disgusting. Oh no.
No, that was good.
Was good. You take
somebody who was as
you take somebody who was
as huge a talent and as
Huge a talent and as
accomplished as he was, and
Accomplished as he was, and
they just sort of, like, shrunk
They just sort of, like,
shrunk him down to that, to a
Him down to that, to
a soundbite about his
Weight. It's like it
absolutely irritated him, as it
Absolutely irritated
him, as it should have.
Should have. A lot
of people make a big
a lot of people make a big
deal out of your weight. Does
Deal out of your weight.
Does it bother you?
It bother you? Yeah,
it's bothersome right
yeah, it's bothersome right
now. Now that you're asking
Now. Now that you're asking
me, it's bothersome because I
Me, it's bothersome because I
don't enjoy talking about it a
Don't enjoy talking about it
a lot. You know, my record
Lot. You know, my record
company, j records, used to
Company, j records, used to
always insist, oh, you got it.
Always insist, oh, you got it.
Because I used to say, I don't
Because I used to say, I don't
want to talk about that. And I
Want to talk about that. And I
don't really want to speak on
Don't really want to speak
on that. You know, that's a
That. You know, that's a
personal struggle. And and they
Personal struggle. And and they
would always say, yeah, but it
Would always say, yeah, but
it it's like a human interest
It's like a human interest
story and everybody wants to
Story and everybody wants to
talk about it. And I said,
Talk about it. And I said,
yeah, but what if I talk about
Yeah, but what if I talk about
it and gain any of it back. You
It and gain any of it back. You
know, then I have to carry that
Know, then I have to carry
that type of paranoia
His weight was like
this huge story.
Story. I mean,
it broke my heart
I mean, it broke my heart
when, you know, when he finally
When, you know, when he finally
managed his weight, when he was
Managed his weight, when he was
maintaining his weight, they
Maintaining his weight, they
decided to promote the album.
Decided to promote the album.
It would all be about his
It would all be about his
weight loss story. It was too
Weight loss story. It was
too much and it broke and he
Much and it broke and he
started to gain the weight
Started to gain the weight
back. And it was so sad that
Back. And it was so sad that
there was such a fixation about
His weight. That
was heartbreaking.
Luther, big luther though,
big luther, not little luther.
Big luther, not little
luther. Oh, I don't do little
oh, I don't do little luther.
Luther. I don't
do little luther,
I don't do little
luther, I, like big curl.
I, like big curl. Ain't
quite right, luther.
Ain't quite right, luther.
That's the one I like.
That's. Here's a man who was
here's a man who was
probably like, I need to get
Probably like, I need to get
healthy. But it's tough because
Healthy. But it's tough because
when we see you and we love
When we see you and we love
you, we love you for what we
You, we love you for what we
see and love, right then, if
See and love, right then, if
something changes, you know how
Something changes, you know how
black people, you lose weight,
Black people, you lose weight,
man. You okay? You know black
Man. You okay? You know black
people. You can't lose no
People. You can't lose no
weight. You okay? You're sick.
Weight. You okay? You're sick.
If we were to be able to talk
If we were to be able to talk
to luther at that time, as
To luther at that time, as
fans, we'd be able to say
Fans, we'd be able to say
whatever weight you are, we
Whatever weight you are, we
don't care. We just. We just
Don't care. We just.
We just love you.
We worried about him because
when luther was under stress is
When luther was under stress is
when he would eat. I'm supposed
When he would eat. I'm supposed
to ignore this camera, but I'm
To ignore this camera, but I'm
going to wait, wait, wait. He
Going to wait, wait, wait.
He was back and forth at the
Was back and forth at the
studio 24 over seven. He was
Studio 24 over seven.
He was working on
That record like crazy just
to get it done, to get it out.
Get it done, to get it out.
He called me in the middle
he called me in the middle of
the night one night, like at
Of the night one night, like
at 3:00 in the morning. He's.
3:00 in the morning. He's.
He's in the studio at hit
He's in the studio at hit
factory when it was on 54th
Factory when it was on
54th street. He says, come
Street. He says, come
downstairs, I want you to take
Downstairs, I want you to take
a ride with me. I said, okay,
A ride with me. I said, okay,
fine, get in the car. He says,
Fine, get in the car. He says,
I got this new song I want to
I got this new song
I want to play for
You. At the end of it, my face
is wet. I said, what is that?
Is wet. I said, what is that?
He said, this is going to be my
He said, this is going to be
my career song. He said, I'm
Career song. He said, I'm
probably going to have a
Probably going to have a
struggle with the rest of the
Struggle with the rest of the
record company, he said. But
Record company, he said.
But this is my career song.
This is my career
song. Back when I was a
Child. Before
Life removed all the innocence.
My father would lift me. High.
My father would lift me. High.
And dance with my mother and
And dance with my mother and
me. And then spin me around
Till I fell asleep. Then up the
stairs he would carry me. And
I knew for sure I
Was. Loved. If I could.
When he played it I was in
when he played it I was in awe.
Awe. Because how could he
because how could he
remember these things?
Remember these things?
You know, he said, I wrote
you know, he said, I wrote
this, listen. And then when I
This, listen. And then when I
heard it as a saying, it just
Heard it as a saying, it just
it grabbed me and how I'd love,
It grabbed me and
how I'd love, love.
Love to dance
With my father again.
Him doing dance with my
him doing dance with my
father. It's almost like he put
Father. It's almost like he put
his own flag in the sand. It's
His own flag in the sand.
It's like, I've got this song,
Like, I've got this song,
y'all are going to put this
Y'all are going to put this
out. And they did. And he was
Out. And they did. And he
was right. And I'd hear how
My mother cried for him. They
could have chose something else
Could have chose something else
in the story, might have been
In the story, might have been
different. He might have never
Different. He might have never
had a number one record. We
Had a number one record. We
might not have ever heard this
Might not have ever heard
this emotion that speaks to
Emotion that speaks to
everyone. Every night I fall
Everyone. Every night I fall
asleep and this is all I ever.
Dream I just was crying,
man, because, you
Know, he wrote it from
such an honest place.
Honest place. And he
had been. Refining
and he had been. Refining
this, this song in his head
Go to the new apartment where
luther was, and we were still
Luther was, and we
were still renovating.
Renovating. I rang
the doorbell and
I rang the doorbell and
luther didn't pick up, which
Luther didn't pick up, which
was really odd. He was always
Was really odd. He was always
on time. So I had to go see
On time. So I had to go see
what was going on, and we had
What was going on, and we had
just replaced the doors and
Just replaced the doors and
they were like these beautiful
They were like these beautiful
mahogany doors. And so we broke
Mahogany doors. And so we
broke down the door and I was
Down the door and I was
screaming as we were breaking
Screaming as we were breaking
down the door. I'm so sorry,
Down the door. I'm so sorry,
luther. I know I'm out of
Luther. I know I'm out of
control. I'm sorry to break
Control. I'm sorry to break
down the door. I know you just
Down the door. I know you just
had it done. You can take it
Had it done. You can take
it out of my paycheck, but I
Out of my paycheck, but I
don't know what's going on,
Don't know what's going on,
and you're not answering. And
And you're not answering. And
I just need to see what's going
I just need to see
what's going on.
And it was quiet, so I walked
around and I walked down the
Around and I walked down the
hallway, and I looked to the
Hallway, and I looked
to the right, to
The bedroom.
Seoul singer luther vandross
is still hospitalized in
Is still hospitalized in
intensive care in a new york
Intensive care in a new york
city hospital after r&b legend
City hospital after r&b legend
luther vandross suffered a
Luther vandross suffered a
massive stroke that left him
Massive stroke that left
him hospitalized in critical
Hospitalized in
critical condition.
Condition. Those
were some difficult
those were some difficult
times to see. The the strongest
Times to see. The the strongest
person you knew to be knocked
Person you knew to be knocked
to his knees. You know, in a
To his knees. You know, in
a health situation, the last
Health situation, the last
thing that anybody thought,
Thing that anybody thought,
including him, is that that
Including him, is that
that would happen.
How devastatingly ironic is it
that that song is number one
It that that song is number
one on the pop charts? And he
On the pop charts? And he
can't even appreciate it
Can't even appreciate it
because he was in and out of
Because he was in and out of
that coma? You know, and the
Grammy goes to.
Richard marx and luther
richard marx and luther
vandross for dance with my
Vandross for dance
with my father, luther
Vandross. I have had
the honor for the
I have had the honor for the
last 13 years to write songs
Last 13 years to write songs
with luther, my friend, who I
With luther, my friend, who I
love, who I wish was here with
Love, who I wish was here with
me because he'd be whispering
Me because he'd be whispering
to me about what everybody's
To me about what
everybody's wearing.
You all know how ridiculously
talented he is, but some of you
Talented he is, but some of you
don't know that. He's also one
Don't know that. He's also
one of the funniest, kindest,
Of the funniest, kindest,
brightest people on the face of
Brightest people on the face of
the earth. I thank the academy
The earth. I thank the academy
so much for honoring not only
So much for honoring not only
our song dance with my father,
Our song dance with my father,
but luther himself tonight,
But luther himself tonight,
because no one is more
Because no one is more deserving
I went right from the grammys
to see him because I wanted to
To see him because I wanted to
celebrate with him. But, you
Celebrate with him. But, you
know, obviously he was in bad
Know, obviously he was in
bad shape, but we he did his
Shape, but we he did his
exercises and he did this
Exercises and he did this
therapy. And then we ended up
Therapy. And then we ended up
coming back to his room and and
Coming back to his room and and
we did have a pretty amazing
We did have a pretty
amazing conversation about
Winning that grammy.
I said, luther, it's.
Everything that we could have
Everything that we
could have hoped
For. I mean, it is everybody's
favorite song. Favorite record.
Favorite song. Favorite
record. We're going platinum
And greater, and smile came on
his face. He said, I love it
His face. He said, I love it
the doctors were shocked. I
The doctors were shocked. I
mean, he understood every word
Mean, he understood every word
that I was saying it was such a
That I was saying it was such a
wonderful sign. At the time of
Wonderful sign. At the time
of recovery was a possibility.
I want to know what you
Want to say to your many,
many, many, many fans.
Many, many fans. I
want to thank them for
I want to thank them for
even caring as it was a
Even caring as it was a
wonderful feeling every day.
Wonderful feeling
every day. Do you
Say, I want to get a little
better at something well, right
Better at something
well, right now what?
Now what? I want
to get better at
Is, um. Living with this,
living with these thoughts,
Living with these thoughts,
living with this, you know,
Living with this, you know,
feeling of, uh, of the last
Chapter.
Now, I got a call from the
hospital saying you need to
Hospital saying you need
to come here. I said, what?
Come here. I said, what?
What's the matter? They said,
What's the matter? They said,
well, he's he's not breathing.
Well, he's he's not breathing.
I said, what do you mean he's
I said, what do you mean he's
not breathing? I said, what
Not breathing? I said, what
does that mean? They said, you
Does that mean? They
said, you just need to
Come. We went into
the room where
we went into the room where his
Body was. And
We saw our friend.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I just remember us going
into the room. And me, robin
Into the room. And me, robin
and carlos just holding him.
And carlos just holding him.
Just. Just holding him. Just
Just. Just holding him.
Just like. This is crazy
All right, all right.
O jesus will be. Waiting
For me. I think I
was just too full
At luther's. Service to.
I can't tell you who
else did what or what or
It was just overwhelming for me.
Brazil me john avlon.
Russell, are you coming up
russell, are you
coming up alive?
Alive? I thought
it was real. Being
I thought it was real. Being
asked to speak. We will all
Asked to speak. We will all
miss him. But as has been said,
Miss him. But as has been said,
and probably will be said over
And probably will be said over
and over again, his legacy
Will live on forever. It was
something that had to be done.
Something that had to be
done. We got through it.
I love all of
Bahamas is the
greatest power of them.
Of them. All. Love.
Them. Honor the
all. Love. Them.
Honor the power.
Power. That day of his
Funeral was so beautiful.
Everybody sang. We got up and
Everybody sang. We got up and
sang. Stevie was singing alicia
Sang. Stevie was singing
alicia keys. Everybody. Freddie
Jackson, everybody was there.
And we made it a celebration.
And we made it a
celebration. And so greatest
Power. Is going
on. I'm gonna love
is going on. I'm gonna love
everybody has something that
Everybody has something that
they're supposed to do in this
They're supposed
to do in this life.
Life. My uncle had a job to do
my uncle had a job to do
while he was here, and he did
While he was here, and he
did it. He fulfilled his
Obligation to this earth.
You can't think of that man
Without thinking about love.
Thank you for coming out and
Thank you for coming out
and celebrating this awesome
Celebrating this awesome
occasion with us. The store
Occasion with us. The store
will be here for many, many
Will be here for many, many
moons for many, many people to
Moons for many, many people to
come back. And when they see
Come back. And when they see
his name. They're going to
His name. They're going to
remember why they love him.
Love has truly been good to me.
Not even one had. Day or
minute have I had since you've
Minute have I had
since you've come my
Way. I hope you
Know I'm gladly
Go anywhere you take me.
It's so amazing to. Be
it's so amazing to. Be
loved. I'd follow you to the
Moon in the sky. Above. If
you say aretha, you know
if you say aretha, you know
who we're talking about. If
Who we're talking about. If
you say marvin, you hear a
You say marvin, you hear a
sound in your head. Stevie.
Sound in your head. Stevie.
Definitely hear like a few
Definitely hear like a few
thousand. Yeah. And if you say
Thousand. Yeah. And if you say
luther, we all know exactly
Luther, we all know exactly
what you're talking about. Got
What you're talking about. Got
to tell you, I can't think of
To tell you, I can't think of
anybody that is near to him.
Anybody that is near to him.
And his uniqueness and his
and his uniqueness and his
talent. Just even the texture
Talent. Just even the texture
of his voice. You only come
Of his voice. You only come
across an artist like luther
Across an artist like luther
vandross, like once in a
Lifetime. And it's so.
Amazing. Amazing. I could stay
amazing. I could stay forever.
Stay. Forever. Here in love
and not leave you. Never.
Cause we've got a love
Truly. It's amazing, amazing
Love brought us together.
Together I would leave you now
Together I would leave you
now and never guess. We've got
Amazing love. They
say things take time
they say things take
time and effort.
And effort. But it's
worth the wait I
but it's worth the wait
I can tell some stories.
Can tell some stories.
I'm so excited.
I'm so excited. Believe
twitter brought the
believe twitter brought the
world together and the world
World together and the world
was not ready to see itself.
Was not ready to see itself.
You read the comments.
You read the comments.
Yeah, I might recommend that
yeah, I might recommend that
you don't. Yeah, that's how I
You don't. Yeah,
that's how I get by.
Get by. We never backed away.
We never backed away. He
never stepped down. Oh,
he never stepped down.
Oh, that's how I give up.
I feel at home here.
Lord. That's how I get by.
I want to be the greatest
player that I could possibly