Luther vandross biography video here and now

A new documentary chronicles the life of the late  singer Luther Vandross. The film features more than 40 years-worth of archive footage and interviews with names including Mariah Carey, Roberta Flack, and Dionne Warwick. 

Luther: Never Too Much is directed by biographical filmmaker Dawn Porter and produced by Jamie Foxx. Running at 160 minutes, with music arranged by Robert Glasper, the movie celebrates the legendary 'Never Too Much' singer's talent and determination, while also taking aim at the record and pop culture industries that frequently did their best to stall his career. 

Often pigeonholed as R&B, despite his work being considered to have changed the genre's entire sound, Vandross regularly came up against racism from within the music scene and sector. Meanwhile, fluctuations in his weight were also seen as an issue in the eyes of executives, who often typecast him as a background singer for rock stars or the faceless voice of advertising jingles. 

Nevertheless, during his 35-year career, Vandross would receive eight Grammy Awards, while the US radio giant NPR has since ranked him as one of the 50 Great Voices of all time. In 2021, 16 years after his death, he was posthumously inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. The same year, what would have been his 70th birthday was commemorated with a Google Doodle. 

Hit singles such as 'Never Too Much', 'Here and Now', 'Any Love, and 'I Can Make It Better' remain among Vandross' best remembered. However, these barely scratch the songbook of a vocalist who put out 14 albums between 1981 and 2003, 11 of which were certified platinum in the US, with sales exceeding 40 million.

Solo work aside, by the time he died following complications after suffering a stroke, aged 54, he had collaborated with the likes of Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E. King, Stevie Wonder, and Donna Summer. 

"It was a joy to w

Luther Vandross’ story is being told.

The R&B crooner’s life story opens in theaters starting Nov. 1. It will then premiere on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and Max in 2025.

Luther: Never Too Much, a new documentary by Giant Pictures, will chronicle the life of the late R&B singer, songwriter and record producer, who died from health complications at 54. “It was a joy to work on this film,” award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter said in a statement.

She added, “Luther was a spectacularly talented performer, composer and producer. His influence was found in multiple genres, and it was a delight to discover each one. It has been so much fun to see longtime fans remember why they love him, and new fans come to understand his brilliance.”

The documentary had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, and later went on to be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival, Hot Docs International Film Festival and Nantucket Film Festival, among many others.

“The whole Giant Pictures team fell in love with Luther: Never Too Much following its stellar film festival run this year. The film is a huge crowd-pleaser and a must-see, not only for existing fans of Luther Vandross, but also for those discovering his incredible talents for the first time. We are excited to partner with Sony Music, Raindog Films and CNN Films on this nationwide theatrical release,” said Nick Savva, general manager of Giant Pictures.

Per a press release, there will be nationwide sneak previews through AMC theaters before the film opens in theaters throughout North America starting Nov. 1. It will then premiere on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and Max in 2025.

The film will include more than 40 years of archival footage from the “Dance with My Father” crooner, as well as new interviews from Mariah Carey, Roberta Flack, Jamie Foxx, Richard Marx and Dionne Warwick.

Foxx, 56, who serves as one of the film’s producers, shared how playing Vandross’ music would al

1989 single by Luther Vandross

"Here and Now" is a 1989 song by American recording artist Luther Vandross, and written by: David L. Elliott, Terry Steele, and Charles “Casino“ White. The single is from the compilation album The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love. "Here and Now" became his fifth single to peak at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles, and his first single to chart in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 6.

Critical reception

David Giles from Music Week wrote, "Vandross diehards will happily lap this up — it's already put in a showing in the lower reaches of the chart — but this typically dreamy, sensual ballad hardly represents a quantum leap in style for the romantic soul maestro."

Charts

Certifications

Accolades

"Here and Now" also earned Vandross his first Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1991.

Popular culture

• Vandross performed the song on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show
• Vandross also performed the song in the two-part "Do Not Pass Go" (season 5) of 227, where he performed during Rose and Warren's wedding ceremony in early 1990.

Renditions

• American singer Patti LaBelle recorded a version of the song for the 2005 album So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross.

References