Luther Vandross, 54; 'Soul Balladeer' Sang With Eloquence and Restraint

Luther Vandross, the Grammy-winning R&B singer whose emotionally charged Top 40 love declarations remapped contemporary soul singing before his career was interrupted two years ago by a stroke, died Friday. He was 54.

Vandross died at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J. The cause of death was not reported.

After an April 2003 stroke left him incapacitated, Vandross gave up most public appearances, although he had recovered enough to appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" a year later.

But he made a dramatic return to the public spotlight with his 2003 album "Dance With My Father," which earned him four Grammy Awards, including song of the year for the bittersweet title track. The album gave him the first No. 1 album on the pop chart of his long career.

During last year's Grammy ceremony, a video tribute to Vandross, featuring many of his peers dancing with their fathers as the song played, brought the music industry crowd to its feet. The highly emotional finale featured Vandross expressing his appreciation to fans for their support and to Grammy voters for the recognition. A month later, he was given four NAACP Image Awards.

"I asked him, just before he took sick, 'What are you trying to do? Why are you working so hard?' " his mother, Mary Ida Vandross, recalled last year after the Grammy show. "I warned him, 'You're going to kill yourself.' He said, 'I want to give them the best that's in me. I want them to hear it and see it.' "

"Luther Vandross had a peaceful passing under the watchful eye of friends, family and the medical support team," according to a statement released Friday by the hospital.

"As you know, Luther Vandross suffered a stroke two years ago, which he never fully recovered from," the statement said. "Throughout his illness, Luther received excellent medical care and attention from his medical team. Luther was deeply touched by all the thoughts and wishes from his fans."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a friend of Vandross, on Friday described him as "a boy so mellow, so powerful; a boy of rare, rare vintage. We lost Luther very early because of his medical condition, but his legacy will be a powerful legacy."

Vandross stood out in a crowded field of garden-variety pop balladeers, overproduced records and pat sentiments, distinguishing himself in the 1980s as a singer of eloquence and restraint.