It was a good record, seven minutes long, and you could take a rest. And if you were a DJ, you wanted a long slow record so you could rest. Kyla Marshell: What was your relationship to “A House Is Not a Home” when it first came out?ĭerek Wright, 62: After you had danced, like, 20 records in a row, you wanted a slow record. of WAR Media, and co-host of the new Riot Radio Show. I talked to three Luther lovers of three different generations to get their perspectives: Raydar Ellis, producer, DJ, and professor of hip-hop at Berklee College of Music Derek Wright, a Boston-area DJ circa 1981 and Guy Routte, C.E.O. What is it about Vandross’s version-about Vandross-that made it so special? Yet by the time Vandross had released this song, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick, it had already been recorded over a dozen times, by Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Dusty Springfield, Stevie Wonder, and many others. “A House Is Not a Home” was an aching, pleading, seven-minute entreaty that felt- still feels-real. The final track on his 1981 debut album, Never Too Much, it was never released as a single, yet became a sleeper radio hit, one movement of the ever-rumbling quiet storm. But whether you were Team Big Luther or Team Slim-Down Luther, we must all agree that no other song better captures the glory and greatness of Vandross than “A House Is Not a Home.” He was the rare artist who had it all: the voice, the stage presence, and countless hits. An unparalleled singer, songwriter, and producer, Vandross released 13 albums, recorded hundreds of songs, and won eight Grammy Awards in his lifetime. No one else has expressed this emotion in song to the level Luther did for over 35 years, and to have Google broadcast that around the world is a wonderful showcase of his immeasurable talent.Today, July 1, marks the 1o-year anniversary of the death of Luther Vandross, who passed away in 2005 after suffering a heart attack. “Luther made each of his songs about one simple, universal subject - love an emotion and feeling common to the human experience no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you look like. “It is a true reflection of Luther Vandross’ musical legacy around the world to be honored by Google with an animated Doodle that fittingly captures the joy Luther has brought the world,” the Luther Vandross Estate told Billboard. “We look forward to working with Carmen and the estate to help expand Luther’s influence.”Įarlier this year, Google Doodle honored Vandross by recognizing his influence in music with a heartwarming tribute on what would have been his 70th birthday, as previously reported by AfroTech. “Luther Vandross was a soulful American icon who was the voice of a generation,” says Larry Mestel, CEO & Founder, Primary Wave Music.
According to Variety, the deal will include several of his biggest hits and fan favorites “Never Too Much,” “Here and Now,” his cover of “Endless Love” featuring Mariah Carey and “Dance With My Father.” Over his influential career spanning over three decades, Vandross sold over 40 million records worldwide. Romano, of FBBM Entertainment Business Management, told Variety. The LV Estate’s goal is to see Luther’s legacy continue to flourish and believe the partnership with Primary Wave is a clear step in that direction,” Carmen J. “We are delighted to join forces with Larry and Primary Wave. Variety reports that Vandross’ estate closed in on a $40 million deal with Primary Wave Music - an independent publisher known as “the home of legends.” In the long-term partnership, the company will manage all assets and acquire a stake in his publishing, master recording income stream and name and likeness rights. Today, his estate is making sure of that as they keep the R&B legend’s legacy and music alive through a new partnership.
The influence of the late Luther Vandross will always be seen throughout the music industry.