Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.

1951-2005

• Luther Ronzoni Vandross was born into a New York City family steeped in the traditions of gospel and soul. He began his career writing and performing jingles for television commercials. He even appeared on "Sesame Street" in October 1969.

• It was after a chance meeting with David Bowie at a recording studio in 1975 that Vandross was asked to sing backup on Bowie's hit album, "Young Americans."

• Later, Vandross served as Bowie's opening act. Vandross also sang backup for Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand.

• When record companies rejected him, Vandross used his own money to produce his 1981 debut album, "Never Too Much."

• It went on to top the R&B charts and sold 2 million copies.

In 1981, Vandross signed with Epic and released his debut album, Never Too Much, which topped the R&B charts and sold two million copies. The title track was also an R&B number one hit single and

reached the pop Top 40.

By the end of the 1980s Vandross had nearly two dozen smash singles, including "Give Me the Reason," "Stop to Love" and "There's Nothing Better Than Love," made with

Gregory Hines. Arguably his most memorable hit was the 1989 classic, "Here and Now," which has become a wedding staple

• During his career, Vandross sold 25 million albums and won eight Grammy awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times. He won four Grammy awards in 2004 including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for the track "Dance With My Father", co-written with Richard Marx.

US musician Luther Vandross poses backstage with his award for Favorite Soul/R&B artist at

the 29th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA, 09 January 2002.

Luther Vandross at the Tonight Show with Jay Leno at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Ca. 6/20/01.

Luther Vandross performing in March 1990

Luther Vandross performs at the Verizon Amphitheater. irvine,CA.

The closer I get to youThe more you make me seeBy giving me all you've gotYour love has captured me

Over and over againI try to tell myself that we

Could never be more than friendsAnd all the while inside

I knew it was realThe way you make me feel

Lying here next to youTime just seems to fly

Needing you more and moreLet's give love a try

Sweeter and sweeter love growsAnd heaven's there for thoseWho fool the tricks of timeWith hearts in love will find

True loveIn a special way

The closer I get to youThe more you make me see

By giving me what you've gotYour love has captured me

Over and over againI try to tell myself that we

Could never be more than friendsAnd all the while inside

I knew this was real (got to be real)The way you make me feel (you know)My baby, my baby, my baby, my love

Come a little closer so we can see into the eyes of loveJust a little a closer let me speak to you

I wanna tell you somethingHere I am-- I just want you to come closer

Come a little closer let me whisper in your ear'Cause I wanna tell you something

Move a little a little closer we can say for realThe way we feel about each other's lovin':

The Closer I Get To You

Singer Luther Vandross during the First Annual BET Awards June 19, 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Singer Luther Vandross performs at the Mandalay Bay Resort September 20, 2002 in Las

Vegas, Nevada

Singer Luther Vandross performs at the Mandalay Bay Resort September 20, 2002 in Las

Vegas, Nevada.

Luther Vandross accepts the Quincy Jones Award

for Outstanding Career Achievements

During his four-decade career, Vandross sold more than 25 million copies, each one of his 14 albums achieving either platinum

or multi-platinum status.

For obituary & funeral info go to http://www.luthervandross.com/