Luther Vandross was a tragic hero of R&B music – a talented soloist who found success as a backup singer for rockers, a strict disciplinarian who struggled with his weight, and a hopeless romantic who tragically died alone and far too young.
A new documentary titled Luther: Never Too Much, directed by Dawn Porter and produced by Jamie Foxx, revisits Vandross’s story. Despite his undeniable talent in songwriting, producing, and vocal ability, record executives refused to see past his appearance and overlooked his potential as a leading man in the music industry.
Despite facing rejection and industry biases, Vandross persisted in pursuing his music dreams. He eventually broke free from being typecast as a background singer and created a new sound that changed the tone of R&B music. However, even as his hits continued to climb the charts, Vandross was pigeonholed as an „African-American“ artist, limiting his mainstream success.
Vandross’s personal struggles with weight and speculation about his sexuality added to the challenges he faced in the industry. Despite his Grammy-winning success and mainstream hits, Vandross’s career was cut short by a stroke that affected his singing voice and ultimately led to his untimely death at the age of 54.
Decades later, Vandross is remembered as a timeless crooner whose vulnerability and sincerity set a standard for male R&B vocalists. The documentary pays tribute to his legacy and the impact he had on breaking barriers in the music industry, despite the challenges he faced. „Wenn wir in der Lage gewesen wären, mit Luther zu reden, damals als Fans,“ sagt Foxx, der die Vandross Punchlines überdenkt, „hätten wir gesagt, ‚Egal, wie viel Gewicht du hast. Wir kümmern uns nicht darum. Wir lieben dich einfach.'“