Not Here, Not Now

Luther Vandross, the baby-inducing machine, has died at the age of 54, a little more than 2 years after a debilitating stroke. Vandross’ silky smooth R&B was the soundtrack for many a hot and heavy evening. Vandross produced 17 albums - or really, the same album 17 times – each one chock full of tedious ballads and lush orchestras. He won 8 Grammys with hits including Here and Now and Any Love. Vandross was obsessive about his vocal cords, enduring stifling temperatures before appearances to prevent air-conditioning from drying his throat. He was less obsessive about the rest of his health, and he ballooned dangerously before dropping the weight to look silky smooth for his next album cover.