Died On This Date (July 1, 2005) Luther Vandross / R&B Great

Luther Vandross
April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005

lutherLuther Vandross was one of America’s most successful R&B singers during the ’80s and ’90s, selling over 25 million albums and scoring eight Grammy wins.  In the early part of his career, Vandross sang back up for the likes of Robert Flack, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Bette Midler, and Barbra Streisand.  By 1981, Vandross was on his way to becoming a superstar in his own right.  The new decade saw him release hit after hit with songs like “Never Too Much,” “A House Is Not A Home,” and “Stop The Love.” But perhaps his biggest legacy is his 1989 recording of Terry Steele’s “Here And Now,” one of the most popular wedding songs out there.   In 1985, tragedy struck in the form of a fatal car accident.  While at the wheel, Vandross crossed a center divider and crashed into two oncoming vehicles, killing one of his passengers.  Vandross pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter and later reached an out-of-court financial settlement with the victim’s family.  Vandross continued to stay active through the ’90s and into the early 2000’s.  Suffering from diabetes and hypertension, Vandross suffered a stroke in early 2003.  He suffered a fatal heart attack on July 1, 2005.

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Died On This Date (December 27, 2008) Delaney Bramlett / Rock’s Unsung Hero

Delaney Bramlett
July 1, 1939 – December 27, 2008

Delaney Bramlett was one of popular music’s greatest unsung heroes.  During a career that spanned four decades, he either produced, played with, or wrote songs for a who’s who of rock music.  As a producer, Bramlett collaborated with the likes of Eric Clapton, the Staple Singers and Etta James.  His songs have been recorded by Sonic Youth, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, and Usher.  His “Never Ending Song Of Love” has been covered by over 100 artists.  It was Bramlett who taught George Harrison how to play the slide guitar, eventually leading to a jam that evolved into “My Sweet Lord.”  Over the course of his career, he collaborated with an astonishing list of musicians that included Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Joe Cocker, and Jimi Hendrix to name just a few.  The most remarkable thing about his career however, is that ABBA made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while he hasn’t.  On December 27, 2008, 69-year-old Delaney Bramlett died from complications of gall bladder surgery.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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