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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 3 00:00:36,286 --> 00:00:37,871 Sound running. 4 00:00:37,954 --> 00:00:40,623 And now, we wanna do-- I wanna do... 5 00:00:40,665 --> 00:00:44,044 my favorite ballad and beautiful love song 6 00:00:44,127 --> 00:00:45,587 on the new album. 7 00:00:45,628 --> 00:00:46,713 It goes like this. 8 00:00:46,796 --> 00:00:48,548 One, two, three! 9 00:00:48,631 --> 00:00:52,469 ♪"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" intro♪ 10 00:00:52,510 --> 00:00:54,637 Yeah, yeah! 11 00:00:54,804 --> 00:00:57,265 We have to have a party right away. 12 00:00:57,307 --> 00:00:58,933 Right up top. 13 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:04,731 Hey, come on! 14 00:01:04,814 --> 00:01:05,565 Whoo! 15 00:01:11,362 --> 00:01:13,740 ♪Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah 16 00:01:22,373 --> 00:01:26,169 ♪There's been so many things that have held us down♪ 17 00:01:26,503 --> 00:01:28,296 ♪But now it looks like things♪ 18 00:01:28,338 --> 00:01:30,673 ♪Are finally comin' around, yeah♪ 19 00:01:30,715 --> 00:01:33,927 ♪I know we've got a long, long way to go♪ 20 00:01:34,010 --> 00:01:34,844 Hah! 21 00:01:34,886 --> 00:01:36,805 ♪And where we'll end up 22 00:01:36,846 --> 00:01:39,099 ♪I don't know 23 00:01:39,182 --> 00:01:42,936 ♪But we won't let nothing hold us back♪ 24 00:01:43,019 --> 00:01:44,813 ♪We're gonna get ourselves together♪ 25 00:01:44,854 --> 00:01:47,524 ♪We're gonna polish up our act, yeah♪ 26 00:01:47,565 --> 00:01:51,611 ♪And if you've ever been held down before♪ 27 00:01:51,694 --> 00:01:55,115 ♪I know that you refuse to be held down anymore♪ 28 00:01:55,198 --> 00:01:56,658 ♪Yeah, yeah 29 00:01:59,744 --> 00:02:03,331 ♪Nothing stand in your way♪ 30 00:02:03,373 --> 00:02:05,166 ♪And all of y'all 31 00:02:07,710 --> 00:02:08,670 That's right. 32 00:02:08,711 --> 00:02:10,338 ♪To every word I say 33 00:02:10,380 --> 00:02:12,549 ♪Every word I say about it♪ 34 00:02:14,926 --> 00:02:15,969 ♪That's right 35 00:02:17,053 --> 00:02:18,638 ♪You said it 36 00:02:18,721 --> 00:02:20,974 ♪We've got the groove 37 00:02:21,057 --> 00:02:24,352 ♪Ain't no stoppin' us now♪ 38 00:02:24,394 --> 00:02:25,812 ♪We've got the groove 39 00:02:25,895 --> 00:02:29,315 ♪Oooh 40 00:02:29,399 --> 00:02:32,735 ♪Ain't no stoppin' us now♪ 41 00:02:32,777 --> 00:02:34,070 ♪We're on the move 42 00:02:34,112 --> 00:02:35,655 ♪On the move 43 00:02:35,738 --> 00:02:37,657 ♪Yeah, yeah 44 00:02:37,740 --> 00:02:41,077 ♪Ain't no stoppin' us now♪ 45 00:02:41,119 --> 00:02:43,246 ♪We've got the groove... 46 00:02:43,746 --> 00:02:44,706 From the Bronx, New York, 47 00:02:44,747 --> 00:02:46,374 Mister Luther Vandross. 48 00:02:48,459 --> 00:02:53,464 ♪upbeat groovy music 49 00:03:20,783 --> 00:03:22,535 Were you very poor as a child? 50 00:03:22,619 --> 00:03:23,745 Mm-mm. 51 00:03:23,786 --> 00:03:26,206 You know, the funniest thing is if there's enough love in 52 00:03:26,289 --> 00:03:28,875 your house, and in your home, and in your life, 53 00:03:28,958 --> 00:03:32,045 poor, rich, none of that stuff registers. 54 00:03:32,128 --> 00:03:35,548 We were-- we were well fed, well cared-for, 55 00:03:35,632 --> 00:03:38,718 we had toys at Christmas, and I don't know if we were poor 56 00:03:38,801 --> 00:03:40,887 or not -- I'll have to ask my mother -- but it certainly-- 57 00:03:40,970 --> 00:03:44,224 my impression of growing up was that life was great. 58 00:03:44,307 --> 00:03:49,312 ♪♪♪ 59 00:03:51,814 --> 00:03:53,107 This is very personal. 60 00:03:53,149 --> 00:03:56,945 This is Luther talking about what he experienced as a child 61 00:03:56,986 --> 00:03:58,571 and as a teenager, 62 00:03:58,655 --> 00:04:01,574 aware of a potential career in music. 63 00:04:01,658 --> 00:04:04,619 You know, I was a Motown child. 64 00:04:04,661 --> 00:04:07,497 The Supremes and Temptations on Ed Sullivan was a big deal 65 00:04:07,538 --> 00:04:08,790 around my neighborhood, you know. 66 00:04:08,831 --> 00:04:11,501 So let's have a fine welcome for The Supremes. 67 00:04:13,002 --> 00:04:16,256 ♪"You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes♪ 68 00:04:16,339 --> 00:04:18,925 ♪I need love, love 69 00:04:19,008 --> 00:04:20,593 ♪To ease my mind 70 00:04:20,677 --> 00:04:22,804 ♪I need to find, find 71 00:04:22,845 --> 00:04:24,472 ♪Someone to call mine 72 00:04:24,514 --> 00:04:25,598 ♪But Mama said 73 00:04:25,682 --> 00:04:27,183 ♪You can't hurry love 74 00:04:27,225 --> 00:04:30,103 ♪No, you just have to wait...♪ 75 00:04:30,186 --> 00:04:31,604 See, I used to love-- I used to draw 76 00:04:31,688 --> 00:04:33,773 pictures of The Supremes in math class, 77 00:04:33,856 --> 00:04:35,942 you know, when I was a kid, 'cause I used to just love... 78 00:04:36,025 --> 00:04:38,444 The way my mother would punish me for doing something wrong 79 00:04:38,528 --> 00:04:41,864 or get to me is not allowing me to see The Supremes on 80 00:04:41,906 --> 00:04:43,783 Ed Sullivan on a Sunday night, you know. 81 00:04:43,866 --> 00:04:44,784 Oh... 82 00:04:44,867 --> 00:04:46,452 And it worked; you know, I washed the dishes, 83 00:04:46,536 --> 00:04:48,121 took the garbage out, did the homework, 84 00:04:48,204 --> 00:04:49,289 did everything. 85 00:04:49,372 --> 00:04:51,165 ♪When I feel my strength 86 00:04:51,207 --> 00:04:52,542 ♪Yeah, it's almost gone 87 00:04:52,583 --> 00:04:54,836 ♪I remember Mama said... 88 00:04:54,877 --> 00:04:56,629 I met Luther when I was 15. 89 00:04:56,713 --> 00:04:58,631 We liked so much of the same music. 90 00:04:58,715 --> 00:05:02,302 The Supremes would appear on Ed Sullivan, 91 00:05:02,385 --> 00:05:04,345 let's say, like, maybe at 11 o'clock at night when 92 00:05:04,387 --> 00:05:06,306 everybody in my house was in the bed. 93 00:05:06,389 --> 00:05:07,974 I'd be sitting by the phone and the phone would ring, 94 00:05:08,057 --> 00:05:09,142 and I'd pick it up really quick. 95 00:05:09,225 --> 00:05:11,978 He'd say, "Did you see Florence miss that step?" 96 00:05:12,061 --> 00:05:13,479 ♪No, I can't bear 97 00:05:13,563 --> 00:05:15,690 ♪To live my life alone...♪ 98 00:05:15,732 --> 00:05:19,652 Met Luther Vandross in the 11th grade. 99 00:05:19,736 --> 00:05:22,322 And he would say-- I think our first... 100 00:05:22,405 --> 00:05:27,243 date as friends was "Come to my house 101 00:05:27,285 --> 00:05:30,163 and, uh, you know, I'll make you some lunch, 102 00:05:30,246 --> 00:05:31,998 and we'll listen to some music." 103 00:05:32,081 --> 00:05:33,291 Great! 104 00:05:33,916 --> 00:05:36,336 ♪She said, "Love don't come easy"...♪ 105 00:05:36,419 --> 00:05:38,588 When I met Luther, the first thing I was impressed with: 106 00:05:38,629 --> 00:05:41,174 he had composition books stuffed with papers that he 107 00:05:41,257 --> 00:05:44,218 had torn out of another one and stuffed inside there, 108 00:05:44,260 --> 00:05:46,929 all filled with his lyrics. 109 00:05:46,971 --> 00:05:51,684 ♪Love 110 00:05:53,936 --> 00:05:57,774 The Shades of Jade was Luther's first actual band, 111 00:05:57,815 --> 00:06:01,069 and we had a bass player, myself on guitar, 112 00:06:01,110 --> 00:06:04,197 Fonzi, Luther, and we had a keyboard player. 113 00:06:04,280 --> 00:06:05,782 So he said, "Well, if you're gonna be in the group, 114 00:06:05,823 --> 00:06:07,200 you have to get the uniform." 115 00:06:07,283 --> 00:06:08,409 I said, "What's the uniform?" 116 00:06:08,451 --> 00:06:10,370 "Well, you gotta have... 117 00:06:10,453 --> 00:06:13,289 patent leather green emerald shoes if you're in 118 00:06:13,331 --> 00:06:15,500 The Shades of Jade!" 119 00:06:15,625 --> 00:06:17,877 He said, "Well, the shoes cost 23 dollars," 120 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:20,755 and at that time, back in the '60s, 121 00:06:20,797 --> 00:06:23,716 my mother wasn't gonna give me no 23 dollars for no shoes to 122 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:24,801 sing in no group! 123 00:06:24,884 --> 00:06:26,886 Don't you know, this fool goes to my mama's house -- 124 00:06:26,969 --> 00:06:28,638 I'm talking about a Latin household, 125 00:06:28,679 --> 00:06:31,391 Puerto Rican-only; my mother did not speak English. 126 00:06:31,474 --> 00:06:33,226 And there, Luther Vandross proceeds, 127 00:06:33,309 --> 00:06:36,979 in his broken Spanish, "Uh, Señora Alomar, 128 00:06:37,021 --> 00:06:39,607 uh, es, uh, muy, uh, importante, 129 00:06:39,649 --> 00:06:42,735 uh, los zappatos, uh, uh, de, uh, 130 00:06:42,819 --> 00:06:45,780 Carlos, uh, verde, uh, green, uh, 131 00:06:45,822 --> 00:06:47,156 muy importante!" 132 00:06:47,198 --> 00:06:48,658 And by the time he finished talking to my mother, 133 00:06:48,699 --> 00:06:50,243 my mother came in the room and says, 134 00:06:50,326 --> 00:06:52,286 "Here, take this 25 dollars and go buy those shoes." 135 00:06:52,328 --> 00:06:53,746 See, he was a boss from the beginning. 136 00:06:53,830 --> 00:06:57,500 He had-- he had vision, he had an idea of how he wanted it to 137 00:06:57,542 --> 00:07:00,628 go down, and that's the way it went down! 138 00:07:00,670 --> 00:07:04,132 Luther studied every singer that he loved. 139 00:07:04,173 --> 00:07:06,008 ♪Ooh, your kisses 140 00:07:06,050 --> 00:07:08,094 ♪Sweeter than honey 141 00:07:08,177 --> 00:07:09,429 ♪Guess what 142 00:07:09,512 --> 00:07:11,431 ♪So is my money 143 00:07:11,514 --> 00:07:13,099 ♪All I need 144 00:07:13,182 --> 00:07:15,518 ♪Is just a little respect when you get home♪ 145 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:18,312 ♪Baby, when you get home... 146 00:07:18,354 --> 00:07:20,773 What he liked about female singers was he loved 147 00:07:20,857 --> 00:07:23,443 the tone, he loved the versatility, 148 00:07:23,526 --> 00:07:24,277 the range. 149 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:26,320 ♪R-E-S-P-E-C-T 150 00:07:26,362 --> 00:07:27,655 ♪Take care, T-C-B 151 00:07:27,697 --> 00:07:29,031 ♪Oh... 152 00:07:29,073 --> 00:07:30,199 You know, I used to love listening to 153 00:07:30,241 --> 00:07:32,994 Aretha Franklin, 'cause Aretha's so bad, you know. 154 00:07:33,035 --> 00:07:35,455 She doesn't have to get you at her peak 155 00:07:35,538 --> 00:07:36,956 high note. 156 00:07:37,039 --> 00:07:39,125 You know, Aretha, when she's singing in neutral, 157 00:07:39,208 --> 00:07:40,960 can render you helpless. 158 00:07:41,043 --> 00:07:42,545 ♪A little bit 159 00:07:42,587 --> 00:07:43,880 ♪Of respect 160 00:07:43,921 --> 00:07:45,882 ♪I want you to show, yeah... 161 00:07:45,923 --> 00:07:48,676 Luther studied the soul of Aretha. 162 00:07:48,718 --> 00:07:50,678 He studied The Sweet Inspirations and their tight 163 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:51,971 harmonies. 164 00:07:56,601 --> 00:07:59,729 He studied Dionne Warwick; he studied-- he studied the 165 00:07:59,770 --> 00:08:03,274 tonality and the grace of her voice. 166 00:08:04,066 --> 00:08:05,818 ♪Call me 167 00:08:05,902 --> 00:08:08,196 ♪I'll be there 168 00:08:08,237 --> 00:08:10,531 ♪Just waiting 169 00:08:10,573 --> 00:08:12,366 ♪So 170 00:08:12,408 --> 00:08:16,078 ♪Don't think because you've been running around♪ 171 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,539 ♪I won't answer the phone 172 00:08:18,581 --> 00:08:20,666 ♪When your world tumbles down 173 00:08:20,750 --> 00:08:23,544 ♪You can call me 174 00:08:23,586 --> 00:08:25,838 ♪Any old time of the day...♪ 175 00:08:25,922 --> 00:08:28,674 When did you know that you could sing? 176 00:08:28,758 --> 00:08:30,259 I knew that I wanted to sing... 177 00:08:30,301 --> 00:08:31,219 I was, uh... 178 00:08:31,260 --> 00:08:34,263 about 13, and I had gone to see, uh, 179 00:08:34,305 --> 00:08:37,517 Dionne Warwick at the Brooklyn Fox Theater, 180 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:41,687 and I think I knew from that moment that I wanted to 181 00:08:41,771 --> 00:08:45,024 be able to affect people the way she affected me that day. 182 00:08:45,107 --> 00:08:48,528 ♪It doesn't matter that you broke my heart♪ 183 00:08:48,611 --> 00:08:52,114 ♪My heart still loves you so♪ 184 00:08:52,156 --> 00:08:55,284 ♪It doesn't matter that you left my arms♪ 185 00:08:55,326 --> 00:08:57,703 ♪My arms still need you so♪ 186 00:08:57,787 --> 00:09:01,123 ♪And even though you walked out of my life♪ 187 00:09:01,165 --> 00:09:02,917 ♪You are my life 188 00:09:02,959 --> 00:09:04,710 ♪You are my love 189 00:09:04,794 --> 00:09:08,965 ♪For always... 190 00:09:09,006 --> 00:09:12,385 It was the height of Black music. 191 00:09:12,468 --> 00:09:15,137 The Apollo Theater was the center for everything 192 00:09:15,179 --> 00:09:16,889 in Harlem musically. 193 00:09:16,973 --> 00:09:19,433 We got to see it all happen. 194 00:09:19,475 --> 00:09:24,146 And there was music on 125th street blasting all the time. 195 00:09:24,188 --> 00:09:26,649 ♪I'd like to know 196 00:09:26,691 --> 00:09:29,402 ♪That your love... 197 00:09:31,862 --> 00:09:33,614 ♪I can't turn you loose now...♪ 198 00:09:33,656 --> 00:09:36,075 Here's one of the hottest groups in the country: 199 00:09:36,158 --> 00:09:37,410 The Temptations! 200 00:09:37,493 --> 00:09:39,495 ♪To the world outside my tears♪ 201 00:09:39,537 --> 00:09:41,414 ♪I refuse to explain 202 00:09:41,497 --> 00:09:44,083 ♪I just wish it would rain♪ 203 00:09:44,166 --> 00:09:45,918 ♪Oh, let it rain... 204 00:09:46,002 --> 00:09:47,920 We were in a group called Listen My Brother, 205 00:09:48,004 --> 00:09:50,423 which was owned and managed by the people who owned 206 00:09:50,506 --> 00:09:53,259 The Apollo Theater, and we used to get to see all the 207 00:09:53,342 --> 00:09:56,095 shows free -- we could go into the Apollo any time we want 208 00:09:56,178 --> 00:09:57,013 and see any show. 209 00:09:57,054 --> 00:09:58,764 That was one of the real big perks. 210 00:10:01,517 --> 00:10:03,853 ♪Listen, my brother 211 00:10:03,894 --> 00:10:06,022 ♪To what we've got to say♪ 212 00:10:06,522 --> 00:10:08,691 ♪Listen, my brother 213 00:10:08,733 --> 00:10:10,610 ♪'Cause this is our day...♪ 214 00:10:10,693 --> 00:10:12,445 Listen My Brother was five guys, 215 00:10:12,528 --> 00:10:14,113 five girls, and a five-piece band, 216 00:10:14,196 --> 00:10:16,616 and we were singing these original songs about being 217 00:10:16,699 --> 00:10:18,868 young and Black, and about "I'm gonna make it," 218 00:10:18,909 --> 00:10:23,039 and they were all topical as it related to the time. 219 00:10:23,539 --> 00:10:26,292 ♪Sometimes we get burdened♪ 220 00:10:26,375 --> 00:10:28,794 ♪So many times, we have to cry♪ 221 00:10:28,878 --> 00:10:31,297 ♪But if you think we're not gonna make it to the top♪ 222 00:10:31,380 --> 00:10:32,965 ♪We're here to tell ya that's a lie♪ 223 00:10:33,049 --> 00:10:35,718 ♪Oh, step back... 224 00:10:36,052 --> 00:10:37,345 The context that we're talking about is 225 00:10:37,386 --> 00:10:39,138 extremely important, 'cause you had the whole 226 00:10:39,221 --> 00:10:41,307 Black Panthers and all of that. 227 00:10:41,390 --> 00:10:43,392 We sang songs about being young and Black, 228 00:10:43,434 --> 00:10:44,644 and no one stopping us. 229 00:10:44,727 --> 00:10:45,978 "We're gonna make it to the top. 230 00:10:46,062 --> 00:10:47,396 Move, move out of our way." 231 00:10:47,438 --> 00:10:49,398 ♪Out of our way... 232 00:10:49,565 --> 00:10:52,985 These songs were, in effect, mantras that we would repeat 233 00:10:53,069 --> 00:10:54,528 for the rest of our lives. 234 00:10:54,570 --> 00:10:57,031 ♪Listen, everybody 235 00:10:57,073 --> 00:10:59,158 ♪We got a story to tell...♪ 236 00:10:59,241 --> 00:11:01,994 Peter Long, who ran the group, came to us one day in 237 00:11:02,078 --> 00:11:04,997 rehearsal and he said, "Someone's gonna come down to 238 00:11:05,081 --> 00:11:09,251 see you guys," because he'd always have people come down. 239 00:11:09,293 --> 00:11:11,754 So he said, "This guy Jim Henson is gonna come down to 240 00:11:11,796 --> 00:11:12,755 see what you do." 241 00:11:12,797 --> 00:11:15,591 So, we performed the whole show for him. 242 00:11:15,633 --> 00:11:17,843 We go to rehearsal the next day, 243 00:11:17,927 --> 00:11:20,721 and Peter comes to us and he says, 244 00:11:20,763 --> 00:11:24,183 "There's a TV show that's a new show for kids coming on 245 00:11:24,266 --> 00:11:26,686 that, uh, I want you guys to do." 246 00:11:26,769 --> 00:11:27,937 We were like, "TV?! 247 00:11:27,978 --> 00:11:29,021 Are you kidding?!" 248 00:11:29,105 --> 00:11:31,565 ♪You've got to learn something♪ 249 00:11:31,607 --> 00:11:34,694 ♪You've got to learn something♪ 250 00:11:34,777 --> 00:11:38,072 ♪You've got to learn something♪ 251 00:11:38,114 --> 00:11:40,408 ♪To get where you want to be♪ 252 00:11:40,449 --> 00:11:43,744 ♪A man can't play a song 253 00:11:43,786 --> 00:11:45,413 ♪If there's no melody 254 00:11:45,454 --> 00:11:46,706 ♪Uh-huh, yeah 255 00:11:46,789 --> 00:11:49,750 ♪A girl can't bake a cake now♪ 256 00:11:49,792 --> 00:11:52,878 ♪If she don't have a recipe♪ 257 00:11:52,962 --> 00:11:55,965 ♪A man can't build a ho-ho-house♪ 258 00:11:56,006 --> 00:11:57,967 ♪If he can't cut a tree 259 00:11:58,008 --> 00:12:01,220 ♪You've got to learn something...♪ 260 00:12:01,303 --> 00:12:03,806 And he explains the concept of having a neighborhood 261 00:12:03,848 --> 00:12:05,808 just like Harlem. 262 00:12:05,850 --> 00:12:07,476 A lot of people look at Sesame Street as 263 00:12:07,518 --> 00:12:08,602 "Oh, Sesame Street." 264 00:12:08,644 --> 00:12:10,229 No, that's Harlem. 265 00:12:10,312 --> 00:12:12,732 Just like those little buildings that you 266 00:12:12,815 --> 00:12:15,234 see, everybody sitting on the porch of their three-story 267 00:12:15,317 --> 00:12:17,653 walk-ups, and they're all kinda old but they're really 268 00:12:17,695 --> 00:12:19,488 well kept, and a lot of wood... 269 00:12:19,530 --> 00:12:20,906 That's Harlem! 270 00:12:20,990 --> 00:12:23,993 Well, that being said, you can't have songs that are -- 271 00:12:24,034 --> 00:12:27,913 I'm sorry -- so damn square! 272 00:12:27,997 --> 00:12:31,584 ♪A-B-C-D-E-F-G 273 00:12:31,667 --> 00:12:32,501 ♪H-I... 274 00:12:32,585 --> 00:12:34,628 That ain't swingin' and that ain't soulful! 275 00:12:34,670 --> 00:12:36,839 ♪A-B-C-D-E-F-G... 276 00:12:36,881 --> 00:12:39,425 ♪H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P 277 00:12:39,508 --> 00:12:40,968 ♪Q-R-S-T 278 00:12:41,010 --> 00:12:41,927 ♪U-V 279 00:12:42,011 --> 00:12:43,512 ♪W-X 280 00:12:43,554 --> 00:12:44,263 ♪Y-Z 281 00:12:44,346 --> 00:12:45,848 ♪Hey, boys and girls 282 00:12:45,890 --> 00:12:47,141 ♪Have you met 283 00:12:47,183 --> 00:12:49,435 ♪26 little letters called "The Alphabet?"...♪ 284 00:12:49,518 --> 00:12:52,772 We're rhyming, we're-- for lack of a better word, 285 00:12:52,855 --> 00:12:54,273 we're "rapping"... 286 00:12:54,356 --> 00:12:55,941 ♪Come on children, and don't be slow♪ 287 00:12:56,025 --> 00:12:58,110 ♪We're gonna count to 20, and here we go♪ 288 00:12:58,194 --> 00:13:01,530 ♪1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10♪ 289 00:13:02,031 --> 00:13:03,783 ♪We're only half way 290 00:13:03,866 --> 00:13:05,868 ♪So here we go again, yeah♪ 291 00:13:05,910 --> 00:13:07,953 ♪11, 12 292 00:13:08,037 --> 00:13:09,163 ♪13, 14... 293 00:13:09,205 --> 00:13:12,291 It wasn't like he was top dog, so don't look at Luther as 294 00:13:12,374 --> 00:13:15,711 being the top dog in Listen My Brother -- he wasn't. 295 00:13:16,086 --> 00:13:20,299 And the factors for that are obvious: 296 00:13:20,382 --> 00:13:22,718 Black and heavy. 297 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:25,888 If you're too Black or you're too fat... 298 00:13:25,930 --> 00:13:27,139 you got a problem! 299 00:13:27,223 --> 00:13:29,183 You didn't know you had a problem until it was made 300 00:13:29,225 --> 00:13:30,392 a problem. 301 00:13:30,434 --> 00:13:32,311 Could you sing your butt off? 302 00:13:32,394 --> 00:13:34,480 Better than everybody on that stage. 303 00:13:34,563 --> 00:13:37,358 ♪17, 18, 19, 20!... 304 00:13:37,399 --> 00:13:41,195 Even during those years, you still had prejudices based on 305 00:13:41,237 --> 00:13:42,988 the look and the appearance of what it is, 306 00:13:43,072 --> 00:13:44,490 not the talent. 307 00:13:44,573 --> 00:13:49,578 ♪funky percussive music 308 00:13:52,748 --> 00:13:55,751 Luther Vandross went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, 309 00:13:55,793 --> 00:13:57,670 to go to college. 310 00:13:57,753 --> 00:13:59,171 Boy, he was miserable. 311 00:13:59,255 --> 00:14:00,214 He was... 312 00:14:00,256 --> 00:14:03,259 First of all, we were in Listen My Brother, 313 00:14:03,300 --> 00:14:05,010 and then he got accepted. 314 00:14:05,094 --> 00:14:07,638 He didn't think he was gonna get accepted. 315 00:14:08,430 --> 00:14:10,599 He used to always call down to the rehearsal, 316 00:14:10,683 --> 00:14:11,851 "What are y'all doing?! What are you singing?!" 317 00:14:11,934 --> 00:14:14,395 and that kind of stuff, so he was doing well in school -- 318 00:14:14,436 --> 00:14:17,356 he always said he was like a B-plus student in school -- 319 00:14:17,439 --> 00:14:18,357 but, um... 320 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:20,860 his ear... 321 00:14:20,943 --> 00:14:22,236 he was thinking about the music. 322 00:14:22,278 --> 00:14:24,280 He wanted to come back to New York and be involved with the 323 00:14:24,321 --> 00:14:25,906 things that we were doing. 324 00:14:25,948 --> 00:14:27,575 ♪♪♪ 325 00:14:27,616 --> 00:14:30,953 When I went to college, I did not go back the second year 326 00:14:30,995 --> 00:14:33,873 because I really did not want a Plan B. 327 00:14:33,956 --> 00:14:35,124 I said, "You know what? 328 00:14:35,207 --> 00:14:38,460 It's gonna be this or I'm gonna be 80 trying to do it." 329 00:14:38,794 --> 00:14:43,549 I told my mother that I wanted to drop out and pursue music, 330 00:14:43,632 --> 00:14:47,595 and she, surprisingly, said, "Sure." 331 00:14:47,636 --> 00:14:50,431 And I think the reason she said "Sure" is because of what 332 00:14:50,472 --> 00:14:53,309 I didn't know, which is that my father was 333 00:14:53,350 --> 00:14:55,394 a brilliant singer. 334 00:14:55,477 --> 00:14:57,730 He passed away when I was eight years old, 335 00:14:57,813 --> 00:15:00,774 and they say that I got it from him. 336 00:15:00,816 --> 00:15:04,737 So I said, "I'm going to focus my entire life and whole 337 00:15:04,820 --> 00:15:08,115 energy into this, and there is no other consideration, 338 00:15:08,157 --> 00:15:10,242 so rejection will just have to happen, 339 00:15:10,326 --> 00:15:13,579 and if it happens, it'll happen and I'll keep on going. 340 00:15:13,662 --> 00:15:17,583 ♪upbeat soul music 341 00:15:17,666 --> 00:15:19,460 Philadelphia has a unique blend of rhythm and 342 00:15:19,501 --> 00:15:22,087 blues that is distinctly Philly. 343 00:15:22,171 --> 00:15:25,591 ♪♪♪ 344 00:15:25,674 --> 00:15:28,677 First, there was Motown, and then there was Philly; 345 00:15:28,719 --> 00:15:31,263 there was Gamble and Huff, there were just all of those 346 00:15:31,347 --> 00:15:34,141 great groups that came out of there -- The O'Jays and 347 00:15:34,183 --> 00:15:36,936 First Choice and The Three Degrees. 348 00:15:37,019 --> 00:15:41,774 ♪When will I see you again?...♪ 349 00:15:41,857 --> 00:15:43,108 They were doing their own thing; 350 00:15:43,192 --> 00:15:47,112 it wasn't Motown it was-- it was lush but it was 351 00:15:47,196 --> 00:15:49,490 East Coast, it was... 352 00:15:49,531 --> 00:15:51,450 It-- it just had a. 353 00:15:51,533 --> 00:15:53,827 ♪And I don't think they'll miss♪ 354 00:15:56,872 --> 00:15:58,999 ♪All the time, they wanna take your place♪ 355 00:15:59,041 --> 00:16:00,876 ♪The Backstabbers 356 00:16:02,044 --> 00:16:03,545 ♪I keep getting... 357 00:16:03,587 --> 00:16:07,716 The Philadelphia sound took the Motown sound and stripped 358 00:16:07,758 --> 00:16:12,763 it of its formality, stripped it of its tuxedos and beaded 359 00:16:12,888 --> 00:16:16,725 gowns, and it said, "Come as you are, 360 00:16:16,767 --> 00:16:18,143 and scream a little bit." 361 00:16:18,227 --> 00:16:21,146 ♪And you 362 00:16:21,230 --> 00:16:22,982 ♪You are... 363 00:16:23,065 --> 00:16:23,816 "Pick your hair out," 364 00:16:23,899 --> 00:16:24,984 you know what I'm saying? 365 00:16:25,067 --> 00:16:27,486 "Let your afro be big and bouncy and wild." 366 00:16:27,569 --> 00:16:30,531 ♪All mine, all mine, all mine...♪ 367 00:16:30,572 --> 00:16:33,534 Motown was giving you a little bit more of, like... 368 00:16:33,575 --> 00:16:36,662 "We matching, and we home by midnight." 369 00:16:38,580 --> 00:16:41,333 ♪More than I deserve 370 00:16:41,417 --> 00:16:45,337 ♪Ohh, you are... 371 00:16:45,421 --> 00:16:47,923 You know, the Philly sound was more... 372 00:16:47,965 --> 00:16:49,591 to the point, 373 00:16:49,633 --> 00:16:53,512 and really got deep into the Black experience. 374 00:16:53,595 --> 00:16:56,390 So when I hear about Bowie, when I hear about Mick Jagger, 375 00:16:56,432 --> 00:16:57,850 when I hear about all these people, 376 00:16:57,933 --> 00:17:01,020 this is music that they truly appreciated. 377 00:17:01,103 --> 00:17:03,856 It was a sound that deeply resonated with them. 378 00:17:03,939 --> 00:17:05,899 To somebody like David Bowie, 379 00:17:05,941 --> 00:17:10,029 it was a little bit cooler, a little bit of-the-moment, 380 00:17:10,112 --> 00:17:13,449 a little bit raspier, a little bit rowdier. 381 00:17:13,490 --> 00:17:15,826 So why not be there? 382 00:17:17,619 --> 00:17:21,373 So we're in New York City, and Carlos gets a call 383 00:17:21,457 --> 00:17:23,834 from David Bowie... 384 00:17:25,127 --> 00:17:26,712 for the 'Young Americans' album, 385 00:17:26,795 --> 00:17:30,632 and Carlos has to go down to Philadelphia to record. 386 00:17:35,179 --> 00:17:38,974 ♪Ha-ha-heart for you, yeah...♪ 387 00:17:39,808 --> 00:17:42,728 During that time, we had this whole thing where the way that 388 00:17:42,811 --> 00:17:45,064 we used to get gigs is we would attend each other's 389 00:17:45,147 --> 00:17:46,273 sessions, 390 00:17:46,315 --> 00:17:48,901 and if, incidentally, they happened to need 391 00:17:48,984 --> 00:17:51,111 somebody to fill in, "Oh, my friend's a singer. 392 00:17:51,153 --> 00:17:53,072 He could definitely do it." 393 00:17:53,155 --> 00:17:55,449 And we always brought Luther. 394 00:17:55,491 --> 00:17:56,575 Come forward. 395 00:17:56,658 --> 00:17:58,660 Yeah, that looks great. 396 00:18:02,998 --> 00:18:05,751 ♪Taking it all the right way♪ 397 00:18:05,834 --> 00:18:08,587 ♪Keeping it in the back 398 00:18:08,670 --> 00:18:11,298 ♪Taking it all the right way...♪ 399 00:18:11,340 --> 00:18:12,674 Luther started doing what he does, 400 00:18:12,716 --> 00:18:13,842 which is start singing. 401 00:18:13,884 --> 00:18:15,844 When David put music on, he starts, 402 00:18:15,886 --> 00:18:17,346 you know, whatever, humming away, 403 00:18:17,387 --> 00:18:20,307 and David was like, "Wow, this guy is great." 404 00:18:20,349 --> 00:18:22,976 ♪Flying just a sweet place♪ 405 00:18:23,018 --> 00:18:24,937 ♪Never been known to fail♪ 406 00:18:25,020 --> 00:18:25,938 ♪Never been, no... 407 00:18:26,021 --> 00:18:28,774 David knew talent, and he whispered to me, 408 00:18:28,857 --> 00:18:31,610 he said, "I love this guy." 409 00:18:31,693 --> 00:18:33,195 And I'm like, "What's not to love?" 410 00:18:34,404 --> 00:18:36,657 And again, on the one, two, three. 411 00:18:36,698 --> 00:18:37,699 ♪One time 412 00:18:37,741 --> 00:18:39,451 - ♪Givin' it - ♪Givin' it 413 00:18:39,535 --> 00:18:40,536 Givin' it! 414 00:18:40,577 --> 00:18:42,121 ♪Keepin' it back 415 00:18:42,204 --> 00:18:43,956 Right, that's fine. Okay, so we got that. 416 00:18:44,039 --> 00:18:45,207 That one's all right. 417 00:18:45,290 --> 00:18:47,626 Robin and Luther are always making up parts; 418 00:18:47,709 --> 00:18:48,961 that's what you do! 419 00:18:49,044 --> 00:18:51,547 And so they're sitting on the console -- you know how it is. 420 00:18:51,588 --> 00:18:53,173 The speakers are there, they're listening back to the 421 00:18:53,215 --> 00:18:54,299 music... 422 00:18:54,383 --> 00:18:56,301 ♪She took his babies 423 00:18:56,385 --> 00:18:57,845 ♪It took him minutes... 424 00:18:57,886 --> 00:18:59,972 David Bowie's back there with the engineer, 425 00:19:00,055 --> 00:19:01,807 and they're playing the tracks back. 426 00:19:01,890 --> 00:19:05,561 ♪It's all right 427 00:19:05,602 --> 00:19:08,772 ♪She wants a young American...♪ 428 00:19:09,731 --> 00:19:12,985 And David is playing "Young Americans," 429 00:19:13,068 --> 00:19:14,903 just to hear it. 430 00:19:14,945 --> 00:19:16,738 And Luther leans over to me and he says, 431 00:19:16,780 --> 00:19:18,991 "Robin, what do you think of this? 432 00:19:19,074 --> 00:19:22,035 ♪Young American, young American♪" 433 00:19:22,077 --> 00:19:24,830 ♪She wants a young American♪ 434 00:19:24,913 --> 00:19:27,374 And, um, David, unbeknownst to me, 435 00:19:27,416 --> 00:19:30,043 was sitting at the board behind me with a guy named 436 00:19:30,085 --> 00:19:32,754 Carl, who was the engineer. 437 00:19:32,963 --> 00:19:34,840 And he said, "I love that!" 438 00:19:34,923 --> 00:19:36,008 What a breath of fresh air. 439 00:19:36,091 --> 00:19:38,177 I mean, he had just such a fantastic voice that I asked 440 00:19:38,260 --> 00:19:40,262 him if he wanted to, uh... 441 00:19:40,304 --> 00:19:42,181 kinda join in the session and start doing 442 00:19:42,264 --> 00:19:43,223 the backing vocals. 443 00:19:46,602 --> 00:19:48,896 ♪You want the young American♪ 444 00:19:53,609 --> 00:19:55,068 Child, they went in there and started singing "the young 445 00:19:55,110 --> 00:19:57,029 American," and David Bowie was blown away. 446 00:19:57,112 --> 00:19:58,822 He's like... 447 00:19:59,114 --> 00:19:59,907 "You're in." 448 00:20:02,284 --> 00:20:04,578 ♪I got a suite and you got defeat♪ 449 00:20:07,789 --> 00:20:10,250 ♪Ain't there a man who can say no more?♪ 450 00:20:10,292 --> 00:20:13,045 ♪Ain't there a child I can hold without judging?♪ 451 00:20:13,128 --> 00:20:15,547 ♪Ain't there a pen that will write before they die?♪ 452 00:20:18,675 --> 00:20:21,553 ♪All night to want the young American...♪ 453 00:20:21,637 --> 00:20:23,472 Bowie was a rock and roller; 454 00:20:23,513 --> 00:20:26,934 he was doing stuff that was miles away from what 455 00:20:26,975 --> 00:20:28,143 R&B music is. 456 00:20:28,185 --> 00:20:31,271 You know, Luther brought a certain style of singing, 457 00:20:31,313 --> 00:20:32,731 and Bowie loved it. 458 00:20:32,814 --> 00:20:34,566 ♪You ain't a pimp and you ain't a hustler♪ 459 00:20:34,650 --> 00:20:38,111 ♪A pimp's got a Cadi and a lady's got a Chrysler...♪ 460 00:20:38,153 --> 00:20:42,074 And now, suddenly, Luther was arranging the entire album, 461 00:20:42,157 --> 00:20:45,661 and this was also when Luther had his group Luther on 462 00:20:45,702 --> 00:20:48,288 Cotillion, 'cause he had a whole album full of songs that 463 00:20:48,330 --> 00:20:51,083 he had written and produced, and David heard a song called 464 00:20:51,166 --> 00:20:53,252 "Funky Music is a Part of Me." 465 00:20:53,335 --> 00:20:55,629 ♪funky music 466 00:20:55,671 --> 00:20:56,922 And he said, "Boy, I really, really like that, 467 00:20:57,005 --> 00:20:58,924 but I can't sing it as 'Funky Music,'" 468 00:20:59,007 --> 00:21:01,009 so they rewrote it as "Fascination." 469 00:21:01,051 --> 00:21:03,136 ♪ 470 00:21:03,178 --> 00:21:05,430 ♪ 471 00:21:05,514 --> 00:21:07,307 ♪ 472 00:21:07,349 --> 00:21:09,685 But that was Luther's song. 473 00:21:09,726 --> 00:21:11,645 ♪No 474 00:21:14,064 --> 00:21:16,441 ♪Every time 475 00:21:16,525 --> 00:21:20,112 ♪Funky music comes around, yeah, yeah♪ 476 00:21:20,195 --> 00:21:22,864 This is Luther, and that's the name of the group! 477 00:21:22,906 --> 00:21:24,533 Why just "Luther," Luther? 478 00:21:24,574 --> 00:21:26,785 Uh, I write the songs, I sing 'em, 479 00:21:26,868 --> 00:21:28,662 you know, some of them. 480 00:21:28,704 --> 00:21:30,998 The record company named us Luther, by the way. 481 00:21:31,039 --> 00:21:33,625 They thought that name would be more recognizable than the 482 00:21:33,709 --> 00:21:35,210 others that we had tried. 483 00:21:35,252 --> 00:21:37,296 ♪Oh! 484 00:21:38,463 --> 00:21:39,631 ♪Just give it to me, give it to me, give it to me♪ 485 00:21:41,591 --> 00:21:42,509 ♪C'mon, now 486 00:21:42,551 --> 00:21:43,844 ♪C'mon, now 487 00:21:43,885 --> 00:21:46,013 ♪Everybody 488 00:21:47,055 --> 00:21:48,056 ♪Get up, get up, get up 489 00:21:50,058 --> 00:21:52,352 ♪Oh, I can't help myself...♪ 490 00:21:52,394 --> 00:21:53,979 Oh, I loved those days. 491 00:21:54,062 --> 00:21:56,148 David, you know what he used to make me do? 492 00:21:56,231 --> 00:21:57,816 This was when he first hired me, 493 00:21:57,899 --> 00:21:59,526 first heard me singing. 494 00:21:59,568 --> 00:22:03,030 He used to have me go on stage and do a half an hour show of 495 00:22:03,071 --> 00:22:05,157 only my own material. 496 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:07,075 And the audience was saying "Bowie! 497 00:22:07,117 --> 00:22:07,909 Bowie!" 498 00:22:07,993 --> 00:22:09,995 You know, they had no idea who I was. 499 00:22:10,078 --> 00:22:12,164 You know, I was young and everything. 500 00:22:12,247 --> 00:22:14,374 And I came off stage; I said, "David, 501 00:22:14,416 --> 00:22:16,168 if you're trying to kill me, use an ax! 502 00:22:16,251 --> 00:22:18,545 Don't-- don't do it to me like this," you know. 503 00:22:18,587 --> 00:22:20,881 And he was saying, "No, you have to understand: 504 00:22:20,922 --> 00:22:23,925 you're getting the chance to sharpen your tools 505 00:22:23,967 --> 00:22:25,093 and get out there. 506 00:22:25,177 --> 00:22:28,096 You're getting the experience of a lifetime in advance of 507 00:22:28,138 --> 00:22:30,807 what I know is gonna be your career." 508 00:22:31,641 --> 00:22:33,060 David introduced me to Bette Midler, 509 00:22:33,101 --> 00:22:35,354 and I toured with Bette Midler for many years, 510 00:22:35,437 --> 00:22:36,772 and she was big on production, 511 00:22:36,813 --> 00:22:40,025 so some of my early impressions about what to do 512 00:22:40,108 --> 00:22:42,444 on stage were that you should have, you know, 513 00:22:42,486 --> 00:22:44,780 a big, elaborate production. 514 00:22:45,447 --> 00:22:46,698 ♪They do it, they do it...♪ 515 00:22:46,782 --> 00:22:49,534 He believed that background singing was an art form, 516 00:22:49,618 --> 00:22:51,745 because you have to know how to blend, 517 00:22:51,787 --> 00:22:54,289 you have to know how to follow instructions, 518 00:22:54,331 --> 00:22:56,291 you have to know what to add tonally. 519 00:22:56,333 --> 00:22:59,753 You know, Luther's session career opened up from his work 520 00:22:59,795 --> 00:23:02,130 with David Bowie and Bette Midler and people becoming 521 00:23:02,172 --> 00:23:04,549 aware of him being a vocal arranger. 522 00:23:04,633 --> 00:23:07,594 And besides that, the man out-sang everybody! 523 00:23:07,636 --> 00:23:10,097 The song we wanna do for you now is from 524 00:23:10,138 --> 00:23:13,141 the Broadway musical called 'The Wiz.' 525 00:23:14,142 --> 00:23:15,060 Okay? 526 00:23:15,143 --> 00:23:16,812 It was the winner of seven Tony Awards. 527 00:23:18,313 --> 00:23:20,982 And I had the privilege and the pleasure of being able to 528 00:23:21,024 --> 00:23:24,152 write one of the songs in that show, 529 00:23:24,194 --> 00:23:25,320 okay? 530 00:23:25,821 --> 00:23:28,615 And, uh, we wanna do it for you now, 531 00:23:28,657 --> 00:23:30,283 in our own style. 532 00:23:30,325 --> 00:23:32,577 ♪Carry on, carry on 533 00:23:32,661 --> 00:23:34,246 ♪Everybody, look around 534 00:23:34,329 --> 00:23:37,332 ♪'Cause there's a reason to rejoice, you see♪ 535 00:23:37,374 --> 00:23:39,084 ♪Everybody, come out 536 00:23:39,167 --> 00:23:40,252 ♪And let's commence... 537 00:23:40,335 --> 00:23:43,088 He had a vision, 538 00:23:43,171 --> 00:23:45,757 but there was the long period of time where he was trying 539 00:23:45,841 --> 00:23:48,301 to get a deal and wasn't, 540 00:23:48,343 --> 00:23:51,763 so it wasn't like this was a sure thing. 541 00:23:51,847 --> 00:23:54,015 ♪Freedom, you see... 542 00:23:54,057 --> 00:23:57,602 But he knew what he wanted, he knew he was talented enough to 543 00:23:57,686 --> 00:24:00,856 have it, and he kept going for it. 544 00:24:00,897 --> 00:24:03,191 ♪Can you feel the 545 00:24:03,233 --> 00:24:05,444 ♪Brand new day? 546 00:24:07,863 --> 00:24:12,868 ♪Yeah, yeah 547 00:24:13,368 --> 00:24:15,120 ♪Yeah, yeah 548 00:24:15,203 --> 00:24:16,663 ♪Yeah, yeah, yeah 549 00:24:16,705 --> 00:24:18,498 ♪It's a brand new day 550 00:24:18,540 --> 00:24:19,458 ♪Be glad! 551 00:24:19,541 --> 00:24:22,627 Good night! 552 00:24:22,711 --> 00:24:24,212 I was in Luther's band, 553 00:24:24,296 --> 00:24:26,840 and we were opening for Marvin Gaye 554 00:24:26,882 --> 00:24:29,009 at Radio City Music Hall. 555 00:24:29,050 --> 00:24:32,512 And in those days, you had two shows a night at 556 00:24:32,554 --> 00:24:34,055 Radio City Music Hall. 557 00:24:34,097 --> 00:24:37,976 So we played our show, then, during the intermission, 558 00:24:38,059 --> 00:24:40,854 we ran over to the recording studio and recorded my very 559 00:24:40,896 --> 00:24:43,523 first song, which was "Everybody Dance." 560 00:24:43,565 --> 00:24:45,734 ♪Everybody, dance 561 00:24:45,775 --> 00:24:47,652 ♪Do-do-do, clap your hands♪ 562 00:24:47,736 --> 00:24:49,738 ♪Clap your hands 563 00:24:51,072 --> 00:24:53,325 ♪Everybody, dance 564 00:24:53,408 --> 00:24:55,243 ♪Do-do-do, clap your hands♪ 565 00:24:55,285 --> 00:24:57,621 ♪Clap your hands... 566 00:24:58,246 --> 00:25:00,999 Luther came and he brought all of his singers, 567 00:25:01,082 --> 00:25:02,709 and... 568 00:25:02,751 --> 00:25:04,794 it sounded amazing. 569 00:25:04,961 --> 00:25:08,423 After I cut "Everybody Dance" with Luther, 570 00:25:08,465 --> 00:25:10,342 it just was magical. 571 00:25:10,425 --> 00:25:12,552 It was like, "Wow, this is a sound. 572 00:25:12,594 --> 00:25:14,721 This is something special." 573 00:25:14,763 --> 00:25:16,223 And it's Chic, 574 00:25:16,264 --> 00:25:18,266 - "Le Freak!" - ♪Ah, freak out 575 00:25:19,100 --> 00:25:20,018 ♪Le freak 576 00:25:20,101 --> 00:25:21,019 ♪C'est chic 577 00:25:21,102 --> 00:25:22,646 ♪Freak out 578 00:25:25,774 --> 00:25:29,736 ♪Have you heard about the new dance craze?♪ 579 00:25:29,778 --> 00:25:31,029 ♪Listen to us 580 00:25:31,112 --> 00:25:34,074 ♪I'm sure you'll be amazed♪ 581 00:25:34,115 --> 00:25:37,702 ♪Big fun to be had by everyone♪ 582 00:25:37,786 --> 00:25:39,120 ♪It's up to you 583 00:25:39,162 --> 00:25:41,790 ♪It surely can be done 584 00:25:41,831 --> 00:25:45,627 ♪Young and old are doing it, I'm told♪ 585 00:25:45,669 --> 00:25:47,128 ♪It's called "Le Freak" 586 00:25:47,170 --> 00:25:50,215 ♪They're doing it night and day♪ 587 00:25:50,298 --> 00:25:52,384 ♪Allow us, we'll show you the way♪ 588 00:25:52,467 --> 00:25:55,095 ♪Ah, freak out 589 00:25:55,136 --> 00:25:56,096 ♪Le freak 590 00:25:56,137 --> 00:25:57,305 ♪C'est chic... 591 00:25:57,347 --> 00:25:59,140 Luther's singing every record we did. 592 00:25:59,182 --> 00:26:00,267 He's on everything! 593 00:26:00,308 --> 00:26:02,727 Every single record we did. 594 00:26:02,811 --> 00:26:05,772 The first Chic album, he's on every song. 595 00:26:05,814 --> 00:26:08,567 Second Chic album, he's on every song. 596 00:26:08,650 --> 00:26:10,735 Then, we do Sister Sledge; he's on every song 597 00:26:10,819 --> 00:26:12,279 on that record. 598 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:17,325 Luther Vandross' vocals had a big part-- played a big part. 599 00:26:17,993 --> 00:26:20,996 What worked for me was that I was one of the first 600 00:26:21,079 --> 00:26:24,958 real singers to emerge out of that disco period, 601 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,460 and it made me kind of singular 602 00:26:27,502 --> 00:26:30,755 in what I contributed to music at that point. 603 00:26:30,839 --> 00:26:33,758 And, uh, from there, I went into jingles. 604 00:26:33,842 --> 00:26:37,304 ♪There's nothing like a rollercoaster ride♪ 605 00:26:37,345 --> 00:26:40,640 ♪There's nothing like a view from a mile in the sky♪ 606 00:26:40,682 --> 00:26:42,475 ♪And there's nothing like the flavor♪ 607 00:26:42,517 --> 00:26:44,603 ♪Of Juicy Fruit gum 608 00:26:44,686 --> 00:26:48,440 I come from a world of background singing, 609 00:26:48,523 --> 00:26:49,983 singing for other people... 610 00:26:50,025 --> 00:26:52,777 ♪Welcome to Miller Time...♪ 611 00:26:52,861 --> 00:26:55,280 Doing jingles, and that's the world that 612 00:26:55,363 --> 00:26:56,656 Luther was traveling in. 613 00:26:56,698 --> 00:26:59,534 ♪Bring your thirsty self right here♪ 614 00:26:59,576 --> 00:27:03,455 ♪The rich, smooth taste of Miller beer...♪ 615 00:27:03,538 --> 00:27:07,334 And so I knew his voice before he became... 616 00:27:07,375 --> 00:27:08,460 famous. 617 00:27:08,543 --> 00:27:10,295 ♪Tonight ♪ 618 00:27:10,378 --> 00:27:12,672 ♪Tonight 619 00:27:12,714 --> 00:27:14,883 ♪Let it be L öwenbr äu 620 00:27:14,924 --> 00:27:16,301 ♪♪ 621 00:27:16,384 --> 00:27:17,218 That whole thing -- 622 00:27:17,302 --> 00:27:19,220 the, the thing that I do -- 623 00:27:19,262 --> 00:27:21,222 came out of my first jingle. 624 00:27:21,264 --> 00:27:23,725 It was for Gino's Pizza. 625 00:27:23,767 --> 00:27:25,185 ♪Gino's 626 00:27:25,226 --> 00:27:28,146 ♪You'll go for the food we've got♪ 627 00:27:28,229 --> 00:27:29,481 ♪Gino's 628 00:27:29,564 --> 00:27:32,400 ♪You'll go for its sizzling hot...♪ 629 00:27:32,442 --> 00:27:34,361 And the producer -- her name was Debbie McDuffie -- 630 00:27:34,402 --> 00:27:35,820 she says, "Can you give me just something 631 00:27:35,904 --> 00:27:37,238 to make me feel... 632 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:38,239 it's hot? 633 00:27:38,281 --> 00:27:39,824 Make me feel it's sizzling hot." 634 00:27:39,908 --> 00:27:41,159 And I said, "♪Gino's 635 00:27:41,242 --> 00:27:44,704 ♪You'll go for its siiiiiizzling hot♪" 636 00:27:44,746 --> 00:27:46,414 And, you know, I just could see the control room just 637 00:27:46,456 --> 00:27:48,917 jumping up and clapping and stuff. 638 00:27:49,084 --> 00:27:51,544 He did it, and we did erupt then, 639 00:27:51,586 --> 00:27:53,505 because it was like, "Oh man, 640 00:27:53,588 --> 00:27:56,716 this is gonna end up being his thing." 641 00:27:56,758 --> 00:27:58,510 So we were thinking it in the control room, 642 00:27:58,593 --> 00:27:59,678 and he was thinking it on mic. 643 00:27:59,761 --> 00:28:01,554 "I'm not doing this in any more jingles." 644 00:28:01,596 --> 00:28:03,848 And he never did. 645 00:28:03,932 --> 00:28:06,434 ♪Going off to set some trends♪ 646 00:28:06,476 --> 00:28:08,728 ♪Gonna laugh and dance and sing...♪ 647 00:28:08,770 --> 00:28:10,939 Luther was just-- he was killing it. 648 00:28:10,980 --> 00:28:12,357 He was killing it. 649 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:16,695 - And the rates -- the pay rates - - that singers got paid was 650 00:28:16,778 --> 00:28:20,573 like 100 million times more than what the musicians 651 00:28:20,615 --> 00:28:21,908 got paid. 652 00:28:21,950 --> 00:28:24,869 So I would say, "Hey man, can we go to your mailbox? 653 00:28:24,953 --> 00:28:27,455 I just wanna see those commercial checks falling out 654 00:28:27,497 --> 00:28:29,207 of your mailbox," you know? 655 00:28:29,290 --> 00:28:32,127 As opposed to my little 34-dollar check. 656 00:28:33,461 --> 00:28:36,381 It was really a wonderful period of life, 657 00:28:36,464 --> 00:28:37,465 you know? 658 00:28:37,507 --> 00:28:38,800 It allowed me to move out of my mother's house, 659 00:28:38,842 --> 00:28:41,636 you know, it allowed me to move her out of her house and 660 00:28:41,678 --> 00:28:44,139 into some place really nice. 661 00:28:44,180 --> 00:28:46,141 Luther eventually became, like, 662 00:28:46,182 --> 00:28:48,893 one of the number-one background singers for 663 00:28:48,977 --> 00:28:51,354 commercials, and also for records. 664 00:28:51,646 --> 00:28:52,564 ♪Ow! 665 00:28:52,647 --> 00:28:54,941 ♪ 666 00:28:54,983 --> 00:28:56,151 ♪For so long... 667 00:28:56,234 --> 00:28:59,320 Change was his studio group; it was us singing background, 668 00:28:59,362 --> 00:29:01,239 Luther singing lead on a few things. 669 00:29:01,322 --> 00:29:04,576 Luther went in and sang "Searching" and "Glow of Love" 670 00:29:04,659 --> 00:29:06,953 in one take and nailed it. 671 00:29:06,995 --> 00:29:09,080 The producers heard me singing in the background and they 672 00:29:09,164 --> 00:29:11,416 asked me, you know, if I would... 673 00:29:11,499 --> 00:29:13,460 sing the lead or audition for the lead. 674 00:29:13,501 --> 00:29:15,754 ♪We are one, having fun walking in♪ 675 00:29:15,837 --> 00:29:17,797 ♪The glow of love... 676 00:29:17,839 --> 00:29:20,508 So "Searching" and "Glow of Love" went on to become big 677 00:29:20,550 --> 00:29:23,094 records, and they wanted Luther to officially become 678 00:29:23,178 --> 00:29:26,598 the lead singer of the group, but Luther's contention was 679 00:29:26,681 --> 00:29:28,850 that "I am a writer and a producer. 680 00:29:28,892 --> 00:29:31,186 I wanna write and produce my own songs. 681 00:29:31,227 --> 00:29:33,104 I don't want to be just the lead singer of your group 682 00:29:33,188 --> 00:29:34,606 while you feed me songs." 683 00:29:34,689 --> 00:29:37,358 You know, so he kept writing, he kept singing, 684 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:39,194 he kept doing his own thing. 685 00:29:42,071 --> 00:29:43,782 Roberta Flack heard Luther and said, 686 00:29:43,865 --> 00:29:44,824 "Listen... 687 00:29:44,866 --> 00:29:45,784 I'm doing gigs. 688 00:29:45,867 --> 00:29:47,452 I know you do sessions during the week, 689 00:29:47,535 --> 00:29:51,206 but maybe you'll come out with me on the weekend." 690 00:29:51,372 --> 00:29:53,792 ♪Strolling in the park♪ 691 00:29:53,875 --> 00:29:57,378 ♪Watching winter turn to spring♪ 692 00:30:00,715 --> 00:30:02,842 ♪Walking in the dark 693 00:30:02,884 --> 00:30:06,888 ♪Seeing lovers do their thing♪ 694 00:30:08,556 --> 00:30:11,893 ♪Ooh, ooh, ooh, that's the time♪ 695 00:30:12,727 --> 00:30:15,814 ♪I feel like makin' love 696 00:30:15,897 --> 00:30:16,689 ♪To you 697 00:30:19,275 --> 00:30:21,402 ♪That's the time 698 00:30:22,070 --> 00:30:27,033 ♪I feel like makin' dreams come true♪ 699 00:30:27,075 --> 00:30:30,411 ♪Whoa, babe... 700 00:30:31,287 --> 00:30:33,665 I used to sing background vocals for Roberta Flack on 701 00:30:33,748 --> 00:30:35,375 the road, 702 00:30:35,416 --> 00:30:37,210 and Roberta sometimes would have 703 00:30:37,252 --> 00:30:39,587 interviews and sometimes she'd be unable to show up at 704 00:30:39,629 --> 00:30:43,591 soundchecks, so I would sing her songs for her in 705 00:30:43,633 --> 00:30:45,593 soundchecks to test her microphone. 706 00:30:45,635 --> 00:30:47,387 ♪Feel like makin' love 707 00:30:47,428 --> 00:30:48,263 ♪To you 708 00:30:50,807 --> 00:30:52,559 ♪That's the time... 709 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:54,269 What happened is that one day, she had come 710 00:30:54,310 --> 00:30:57,856 back to the theater, and I was singing, 711 00:30:57,939 --> 00:30:59,440 and she came over to me and she said, 712 00:30:59,482 --> 00:31:02,569 "You know, you're getting a little too comfortable 713 00:31:02,610 --> 00:31:04,028 sitting on the stool in the background 714 00:31:04,112 --> 00:31:05,780 singing oohs and aahs. 715 00:31:05,822 --> 00:31:08,032 I really want you to make your own statement and make your 716 00:31:08,116 --> 00:31:09,534 own record, you know?" 717 00:31:09,617 --> 00:31:11,536 And she, in effect, fired me! 718 00:31:11,619 --> 00:31:13,788 Luther Vandross likes to say that I fired him, 719 00:31:13,830 --> 00:31:15,623 but I never really fired him. 720 00:31:15,665 --> 00:31:20,420 What I did was to encourage him to believe in his own 721 00:31:20,461 --> 00:31:23,798 ability to produce his first album. 722 00:31:23,965 --> 00:31:27,468 All the monies that he was making from a hugely-lucrative 723 00:31:27,510 --> 00:31:31,431 recording career as a side man, he was putting back into 724 00:31:31,472 --> 00:31:34,767 going into the studio and creating his records. 725 00:31:34,809 --> 00:31:38,146 Luther said, "Hey man, I wanna make a demo for my own music," 726 00:31:38,187 --> 00:31:40,231 and I was like, "Why would you wanna... 727 00:31:40,315 --> 00:31:41,900 take all the headaches of being the artist, you know? 728 00:31:41,983 --> 00:31:43,902 You're the number-one background singer 729 00:31:43,985 --> 00:31:44,819 in New York City." 730 00:31:44,903 --> 00:31:46,738 He said, "No, I have a sound in my head, 731 00:31:46,821 --> 00:31:48,448 and I gotta get it out." 732 00:31:48,489 --> 00:31:51,242 So we went in the studio Sunday morning, 733 00:31:51,326 --> 00:31:53,912 because that was the only time he could get studio time. 734 00:31:53,995 --> 00:31:55,914 Everybody played on spec; 735 00:31:55,997 --> 00:31:57,957 Marcus Miller, Nat Adderley, Jr., 736 00:31:57,999 --> 00:31:59,959 you know, all the musicians, Cissy Houston, 737 00:32:00,001 --> 00:32:03,463 all the singers, they all sang for no money. 738 00:32:03,504 --> 00:32:06,341 Nat says, "Okay, here's how it goes, fellas: 739 00:32:06,382 --> 00:32:09,594 ♪Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom♪ 740 00:32:09,677 --> 00:32:10,845 ♪Boom, boom" And I'm just reading: 741 00:32:10,887 --> 00:32:14,015 ♪Boom, ba-boom boom, boom boom♪ 742 00:32:14,057 --> 00:32:17,018 I said, "This is a quirky little bass line." 743 00:32:17,060 --> 00:32:21,272 ♪"Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross♪ 744 00:32:21,356 --> 00:32:23,316 All the record companies passed on me, 745 00:32:23,358 --> 00:32:26,778 turned me down, including CBS, including Epic. 746 00:32:26,861 --> 00:32:28,863 Including Epic and Columbia separately, 747 00:32:28,905 --> 00:32:30,323 as a matter of fact. 748 00:32:30,365 --> 00:32:33,117 And I went back... 749 00:32:33,201 --> 00:32:36,871 to a different person at Epic with "Never Too Much" -- 750 00:32:36,913 --> 00:32:38,122 that was my song. 751 00:32:38,206 --> 00:32:39,707 And that's how I got signed. 752 00:32:39,749 --> 00:32:40,792 ♪I can't fool myself 753 00:32:40,875 --> 00:32:44,128 ♪I don't want nobody else to ever love me♪ 754 00:32:44,212 --> 00:32:46,798 ♪You are my shining star, my guiding light♪ 755 00:32:46,881 --> 00:32:48,508 ♪My love fantasy 756 00:32:48,549 --> 00:32:51,135 ♪There's not a minute, hour, day or night♪ 757 00:32:51,219 --> 00:32:52,845 ♪That I don't love you 758 00:32:52,887 --> 00:32:54,639 ♪You're at the top of my list♪ 759 00:32:54,722 --> 00:32:57,183 ♪'Cause I'm always thinking of you♪ 760 00:32:57,225 --> 00:32:59,352 ♪I still remember in the days♪ 761 00:32:59,394 --> 00:33:01,521 ♪When I was scared to touch you♪ 762 00:33:01,562 --> 00:33:03,356 ♪How I spent my day dreaming♪ 763 00:33:03,398 --> 00:33:05,900 ♪When and how to say "I love you"♪ 764 00:33:05,942 --> 00:33:08,319 ♪You must have known that I had feelings♪ 765 00:33:08,403 --> 00:33:10,321 ♪Deep enough to swim in 766 00:33:10,405 --> 00:33:12,365 ♪That's when you opened up your heart♪ 767 00:33:12,407 --> 00:33:14,409 ♪And you told me to come in♪ 768 00:33:14,450 --> 00:33:18,454 ♪Oh, my love 769 00:33:19,747 --> 00:33:23,167 ♪A thousand kisses from you...♪ 770 00:33:23,251 --> 00:33:24,502 I remember one take. 771 00:33:24,585 --> 00:33:26,004 It was just so... 772 00:33:26,087 --> 00:33:27,338 easy to play, simple. 773 00:33:27,422 --> 00:33:29,841 I mean, we knew what we were doing and, uh... 774 00:33:29,924 --> 00:33:30,758 I thought it was great. 775 00:33:30,800 --> 00:33:32,010 I was like, "Wow!" 776 00:33:32,093 --> 00:33:34,721 It sounded so different than everything on the radio. 777 00:33:34,762 --> 00:33:37,223 But I didn't hear that it was gonna be a hit. 778 00:33:37,265 --> 00:33:40,518 ♪A million days in your arms...♪ 779 00:33:40,601 --> 00:33:42,020 Two Grammy nominations, 780 00:33:42,103 --> 00:33:43,771 a big hit song that he had remain on the charts 781 00:33:43,813 --> 00:33:45,690 - for 84 weeks! - Yes! 782 00:33:45,773 --> 00:33:47,859 Luther Vandross, "Never Too Much!" 783 00:33:47,942 --> 00:33:49,110 Luther! 784 00:33:49,152 --> 00:33:50,236 ♪Never too much, never too much♪ 785 00:33:50,278 --> 00:33:52,405 ♪Never too much, never too much♪ 786 00:33:52,447 --> 00:33:53,781 Whoo! 787 00:33:57,618 --> 00:33:59,120 Whoo! 788 00:33:59,787 --> 00:34:03,207 When I heard "Never Too Much," I instantly recognized it as 789 00:34:03,291 --> 00:34:07,211 being original, and he was wise enough to know how to 790 00:34:07,295 --> 00:34:11,549 stand out and have a hook that we wouldn't forget. 791 00:34:11,632 --> 00:34:15,219 ♪And I just don't wanna stop♪ 792 00:34:15,303 --> 00:34:17,472 ♪Oh, my 793 00:34:17,513 --> 00:34:19,974 ♪My love 794 00:34:20,016 --> 00:34:21,601 ♪My lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-love...♪ 795 00:34:21,642 --> 00:34:22,810 Those record execs weren't sure, 796 00:34:22,852 --> 00:34:24,729 but man, when that thing hit the airwaves, 797 00:34:24,812 --> 00:34:26,439 everybody else was sure. 798 00:34:26,481 --> 00:34:29,734 "Never Too Much" was on the radio all day long, 799 00:34:29,817 --> 00:34:32,945 and it was just incredible to see... 800 00:34:32,987 --> 00:34:35,615 my boy just explode like that. 801 00:34:35,656 --> 00:34:37,408 Lookit here! 802 00:34:37,492 --> 00:34:41,287 ♪Roll back the rug, everybody♪ 803 00:34:41,329 --> 00:34:45,291 ♪Move all the tables and chairs♪ 804 00:34:45,333 --> 00:34:50,338 ♪We're gonna have us a good time tonight...♪ 805 00:34:50,505 --> 00:34:51,923 You are crankin' up there in the charts. 806 00:34:52,006 --> 00:34:54,342 Yeah, it's number one with a bullet in Billboard 807 00:34:54,383 --> 00:34:55,468 - next week. - See there? 808 00:34:55,510 --> 00:34:56,719 Good for you! 809 00:34:56,844 --> 00:34:58,096 Moving up five notches second week in the 810 00:34:58,179 --> 00:35:00,807 countdown, here's Luther Vandross with his third 811 00:35:00,848 --> 00:35:02,433 top 40 hit. 812 00:35:02,517 --> 00:35:03,601 ♪Hey 813 00:35:03,684 --> 00:35:04,936 ♪Look, now 814 00:35:05,019 --> 00:35:07,105 ♪Every night when I sleep♪ 815 00:35:07,188 --> 00:35:08,689 ♪I dream of my baby 816 00:35:08,731 --> 00:35:10,316 ♪She's such a lady... 817 00:35:10,358 --> 00:35:12,610 He has been praised as the most promising all-around 818 00:35:12,693 --> 00:35:15,613 pop-soul craftsman to emerge in the '80s. 819 00:35:15,696 --> 00:35:17,448 The man I'm referring to is Luther Vandross: 820 00:35:17,532 --> 00:35:19,492 singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, 821 00:35:19,534 --> 00:35:21,828 whose latest album has recently gone platinum. 822 00:35:21,869 --> 00:35:22,954 ♪And I'm all right 823 00:35:23,037 --> 00:35:24,622 ♪'Til my baby comes home...♪ 824 00:35:24,705 --> 00:35:27,959 You know somebody who has some money to spend 825 00:35:28,042 --> 00:35:29,293 lives here. 826 00:35:29,377 --> 00:35:31,462 This is one spectacular house, right? 827 00:35:32,296 --> 00:35:34,841 ♪My b-b-b-b-baby comes home...♪ 828 00:35:34,882 --> 00:35:39,178 It was the most exciting time in the world. 829 00:35:39,220 --> 00:35:41,556 So I-- I mean, my head, my heart, 830 00:35:41,597 --> 00:35:44,016 everything was immersed in this business. 831 00:35:44,058 --> 00:35:45,810 Luther has released four albums, 832 00:35:45,893 --> 00:35:47,728 and all of them platinum. 833 00:35:48,729 --> 00:35:50,481 ♪ ♪All right 834 00:35:50,565 --> 00:35:51,607 ♪ 835 00:35:51,691 --> 00:35:53,734 It's not only his voice that's made him a superstar. 836 00:35:53,776 --> 00:35:56,028 He's also a gifted producer, arranger, 837 00:35:56,070 --> 00:35:57,405 and composer. 838 00:35:57,446 --> 00:35:59,657 He's been behind some of the great hit songs of 839 00:35:59,740 --> 00:36:01,993 David Bowie, Aretha Franklin... 840 00:36:02,076 --> 00:36:03,494 ♪When my baby calls 841 00:36:03,578 --> 00:36:06,080 ♪I gotta jump to it... 842 00:36:06,122 --> 00:36:09,500 One of the-- the most exciting moments I have ever had is the 843 00:36:09,584 --> 00:36:11,836 day that I met Aretha Franklin. 844 00:36:11,919 --> 00:36:14,338 ♪I jump, jump, jump to it...♪ 845 00:36:14,422 --> 00:36:17,425 A lot of people to this day don't realize that he wrote 846 00:36:17,466 --> 00:36:18,676 those songs. 847 00:36:18,759 --> 00:36:21,179 He was a fantastic songwriter... 848 00:36:21,262 --> 00:36:22,930 who became a great artist... 849 00:36:22,972 --> 00:36:24,849 and then who became a great performer. 850 00:36:24,932 --> 00:36:26,392 He was just a triple threat. 851 00:36:27,935 --> 00:36:29,020 Thank you very much. 852 00:36:29,103 --> 00:36:31,939 I'd like to thank my producer, Mister Luther Vandross. 853 00:36:33,274 --> 00:36:34,400 Yes, Lord! 854 00:36:34,442 --> 00:36:37,236 Was it a thrill, having had those people as your idols, 855 00:36:37,278 --> 00:36:38,613 to produce their records? 856 00:36:38,654 --> 00:36:41,532 Oh, the biggest thrill of my life was meeting and working 857 00:36:41,616 --> 00:36:42,742 with Aretha and Dionne. 858 00:36:42,783 --> 00:36:44,619 ♪And how many times 859 00:36:44,660 --> 00:36:49,665 ♪Can we give it one more try?♪ 860 00:36:50,291 --> 00:36:55,254 ♪Before we really say 861 00:36:55,296 --> 00:36:58,633 ♪Goodbye 862 00:36:58,966 --> 00:37:00,092 And you sing, you'll get over. 863 00:37:00,134 --> 00:37:02,553 Luther Vandross a big, Kentucky-Fried-Chicken-eating 864 00:37:02,637 --> 00:37:03,429 motherfucker. 865 00:37:05,514 --> 00:37:06,641 But he put his shit on... 866 00:37:08,017 --> 00:37:10,478 Women go, "Ahhh!" 867 00:37:10,519 --> 00:37:11,562 Everybody was saying, "Oh! 868 00:37:11,646 --> 00:37:12,563 Did you hear what Eddie Murphy said?" 869 00:37:12,647 --> 00:37:13,564 I said, "Yeah, I love it! 870 00:37:13,648 --> 00:37:14,649 I think it's great." 871 00:37:14,690 --> 00:37:17,068 You know, you have to know how to play the game. 872 00:37:17,151 --> 00:37:20,821 If you gonna have a party, you gotta party hardy! 873 00:37:20,988 --> 00:37:23,241 You gotta do this thing right! 874 00:37:23,324 --> 00:37:24,992 You know what I'm sayin'? 875 00:37:25,034 --> 00:37:26,744 Whoo! 876 00:37:26,827 --> 00:37:28,746 The reason I did this is because I had looked 877 00:37:28,829 --> 00:37:30,498 on the guest list to see who was coming, 878 00:37:30,539 --> 00:37:32,583 and I saw Eddie's name. 879 00:37:32,667 --> 00:37:33,751 Whoo! 880 00:37:33,834 --> 00:37:34,752 That's when I got the idea; I said, 881 00:37:34,835 --> 00:37:36,420 "We gotta-- we have to address this. 882 00:37:36,504 --> 00:37:38,130 This is gonna be so funny." 883 00:37:38,172 --> 00:37:41,926 There's been a lot of talk going on about me lately. 884 00:37:42,009 --> 00:37:44,637 Don't think I don't know about it! 885 00:37:44,679 --> 00:37:46,973 And I didn't wanna let Eddie Murphy down, 886 00:37:47,014 --> 00:37:48,516 you know what I'm sayin'? 887 00:37:50,851 --> 00:37:54,105 ♪Ooh, we're America's favorite♪ 888 00:37:54,188 --> 00:37:56,190 ♪Bite after bite 889 00:37:56,232 --> 00:37:57,858 ♪Tender and juicy 890 00:37:57,900 --> 00:38:02,905 ♪We do it right for you, yeah♪ 891 00:38:03,197 --> 00:38:04,323 Whoo! 892 00:38:04,365 --> 00:38:07,034 Luther had been dealing with this weight thing forever. 893 00:38:07,076 --> 00:38:09,662 He was at his best, in terms of his humor, 894 00:38:09,704 --> 00:38:12,123 when... 895 00:38:12,206 --> 00:38:15,293 when he got attacked or... 896 00:38:15,376 --> 00:38:17,336 or there was a situation that was difficult for him. 897 00:38:17,378 --> 00:38:19,130 His humor got him through. 898 00:38:19,213 --> 00:38:20,881 ♪soft pensive music 899 00:38:20,923 --> 00:38:23,634 But it was hard for him. 900 00:38:23,718 --> 00:38:25,553 ♪♪♪ 901 00:38:25,594 --> 00:38:28,139 With him, it was all or nothing at all. 902 00:38:28,222 --> 00:38:29,307 He was either.... 903 00:38:29,390 --> 00:38:33,144 eating, or he was dieting. 904 00:38:33,227 --> 00:38:36,647 And I used to just say, "Just do it when you're ready," 905 00:38:36,731 --> 00:38:37,898 you know? 906 00:38:37,940 --> 00:38:41,902 But he-- he felt like this was something that he had to do, 907 00:38:41,944 --> 00:38:44,196 you know, to be accepted. 908 00:38:44,238 --> 00:38:45,531 ♪What's there to say? 909 00:38:45,573 --> 00:38:49,744 ♪There's not much to talk about♪ 910 00:38:50,911 --> 00:38:52,330 ♪And what ever happened 911 00:38:52,413 --> 00:38:55,916 ♪To all of the love that we vowed?♪ 912 00:38:55,958 --> 00:38:58,377 Boy, you have lost so much weight! 913 00:38:58,419 --> 00:39:00,379 - Thanks! - You look great! 914 00:39:00,421 --> 00:39:02,006 You have lost how much? 915 00:39:02,089 --> 00:39:03,716 126 pounds. 916 00:39:04,592 --> 00:39:05,509 Someone was just saying over there, 917 00:39:05,593 --> 00:39:06,594 when they saw you sit down, they said, 918 00:39:06,635 --> 00:39:07,887 "Who's that?" and I said, "It's Luther Vandross," 919 00:39:07,928 --> 00:39:10,431 and they said, "No, no, no, he's about 150 pounds heavier 920 00:39:10,473 --> 00:39:11,557 than that!" 921 00:39:11,599 --> 00:39:14,060 I'm sure they wanna know who your diet doctor is. 922 00:39:14,101 --> 00:39:16,771 The diet doctor, if anybody, is-- is, uh, 923 00:39:16,812 --> 00:39:18,189 Gianni Versace. 924 00:39:19,940 --> 00:39:21,275 I was an emotional eater. 925 00:39:21,317 --> 00:39:23,944 If something-- if the music wasn't sounding right, 926 00:39:23,986 --> 00:39:25,029 I ate to cope. 927 00:39:25,112 --> 00:39:27,365 Any little excuse that I could use, 928 00:39:27,448 --> 00:39:28,908 I would use to eat. 929 00:39:28,949 --> 00:39:30,242 And, um... 930 00:39:30,284 --> 00:39:32,536 I just decide not to-- not to do that, you know? 931 00:39:32,620 --> 00:39:34,038 I... 932 00:39:34,121 --> 00:39:36,582 just decided that I-- that that was not right for me. 933 00:39:36,624 --> 00:39:40,419 ♪Gimme the reason to want you back♪ 934 00:39:40,461 --> 00:39:43,547 ♪And why should I love you again?...♪ 935 00:39:43,631 --> 00:39:44,965 Now, I feel better. 936 00:39:45,007 --> 00:39:47,051 You know, on stage, I move... 937 00:39:47,134 --> 00:39:48,135 more. 938 00:39:48,177 --> 00:39:49,887 No, let's just say on onstage, I move now, 939 00:39:49,970 --> 00:39:51,972 whereas I didn't before. 940 00:39:52,014 --> 00:39:53,057 And, um... 941 00:39:53,140 --> 00:39:56,060 it hasn't affected my voice or my singing at all. 942 00:39:58,646 --> 00:40:01,482 ♪tender romantic intro 943 00:40:01,524 --> 00:40:04,235 Back in the day, if you wanted to fall in love, 944 00:40:04,318 --> 00:40:06,904 you'd let Luther do the work for you. 945 00:40:06,987 --> 00:40:10,491 So I would put the phone up to the radio. 946 00:40:10,533 --> 00:40:12,243 And what's crazy is you had to wait for it to come on the 947 00:40:12,326 --> 00:40:15,079 radio, so I had to keep-- I'm buying time 948 00:40:15,162 --> 00:40:16,414 until the-- "And here's Luther Vandross!" 949 00:40:16,497 --> 00:40:17,498 "Oh, perfect." 950 00:40:17,581 --> 00:40:19,917 And I'd put the phone up to the radio and I'd tell her, 951 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:21,794 "This is what I wanna tell you." 952 00:40:21,836 --> 00:40:26,090 ♪Let me hold you tight♪ 953 00:40:29,009 --> 00:40:32,847 ♪If only for one night 954 00:40:33,514 --> 00:40:36,434 ♪Let me keep you near... 955 00:40:36,517 --> 00:40:37,476 ♪Near 956 00:40:37,518 --> 00:40:39,103 ♪Ease-- And I was like, "You feelin' that?" 957 00:40:39,186 --> 00:40:40,438 And go right back. 958 00:40:40,521 --> 00:40:43,691 ♪Ease away your fears... 959 00:40:43,732 --> 00:40:47,111 And I can honestly say, 10 out of 10, 960 00:40:47,194 --> 00:40:49,989 100 times out of 100 times, I put that Luther on 'em, 961 00:40:50,030 --> 00:40:51,115 it is what it is. 962 00:40:51,198 --> 00:40:52,116 ♪One night 963 00:40:52,199 --> 00:40:55,828 ♪One night of your love, of your love♪ 964 00:40:55,870 --> 00:40:57,705 ♪Of your love 965 00:40:57,746 --> 00:40:59,290 ♪Your love 966 00:40:59,373 --> 00:41:02,626 ♪And ooh 967 00:41:02,710 --> 00:41:03,711 ♪Ooh... 968 00:41:03,794 --> 00:41:06,547 He did that thing; he goes "♪Oooh..." 969 00:41:06,589 --> 00:41:09,800 That's what they think of you as because you send folks to 970 00:41:09,884 --> 00:41:10,968 the bedroom. 971 00:41:11,051 --> 00:41:15,639 ♪One look in your eyes 972 00:41:15,723 --> 00:41:18,058 ♪And there I see... 973 00:41:18,100 --> 00:41:19,977 You wanna give these lovely ladies a little preview of 974 00:41:20,060 --> 00:41:22,146 what a date would be like with you? 975 00:41:22,229 --> 00:41:24,565 Oh, lemme-- lemme run it by you. 976 00:41:24,607 --> 00:41:27,985 First, we'll, uh, sail out on my private yacht. 977 00:41:28,944 --> 00:41:31,238 You know, all alone under the stars. 978 00:41:31,280 --> 00:41:32,031 Whoo! 979 00:41:32,072 --> 00:41:33,824 I've been fantasizing about you, 980 00:41:33,908 --> 00:41:35,993 and kissing your picture and stuff! 981 00:41:36,076 --> 00:41:38,078 You look like you've been kissing a weedwacker! 982 00:41:39,079 --> 00:41:43,000 ♪I look in your eyes and...♪ 983 00:41:43,083 --> 00:41:44,668 So they call you "Dr. Love" now? 984 00:41:44,752 --> 00:41:45,544 Let me tell you something: 985 00:41:45,586 --> 00:41:47,004 I don't really take that title. 986 00:41:47,087 --> 00:41:48,088 Uh-huh. 987 00:41:48,130 --> 00:41:49,340 I wanna be remembered as a premiere 988 00:41:49,423 --> 00:41:50,674 singer of our day. 989 00:41:50,758 --> 00:41:51,592 All right. 990 00:41:51,675 --> 00:41:53,177 Not as "The Love Doctor." 991 00:41:53,260 --> 00:41:56,347 ♪The love that we share 992 00:41:56,430 --> 00:41:57,556 ♪Makes life... 993 00:41:57,598 --> 00:42:02,603 Because he was so, so into the singing aspect of things, 994 00:42:02,937 --> 00:42:06,398 he didn't want that to be all you-- you got out of the 995 00:42:06,440 --> 00:42:08,943 musical experience of seeing him. 996 00:42:08,984 --> 00:42:11,862 So he would talk us down from it but... 997 00:42:11,946 --> 00:42:13,405 they were still running to the bedroom. 998 00:42:16,116 --> 00:42:18,994 ♪Here and now 999 00:42:19,954 --> 00:42:23,958 ♪I promise to love faithfully♪ 1000 00:42:23,999 --> 00:42:26,210 Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! 1001 00:42:29,797 --> 00:42:34,802 ♪'Cause your love is all I need♪ 1002 00:42:40,975 --> 00:42:43,852 Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! 1003 00:42:46,647 --> 00:42:48,816 I keep getting the feeling that the best part of 1004 00:42:48,857 --> 00:42:51,986 my career is still ahead of me. 1005 00:42:58,158 --> 00:42:59,660 Singer Luther Vandross was driving in 1006 00:42:59,702 --> 00:43:01,620 North Hollywood Sunday when his Mercedes jumped 1007 00:43:01,662 --> 00:43:04,415 the divider and collided with two oncoming cars. 1008 00:43:04,498 --> 00:43:06,834 One person in Vandross' car died. 1009 00:43:06,875 --> 00:43:08,919 The singer is listed in fair condition tonight with three 1010 00:43:09,003 --> 00:43:10,588 broken ribs. 1011 00:43:10,671 --> 00:43:13,340 ♪melancholy music 1012 00:43:13,382 --> 00:43:15,676 It was very tragic, you know. 1013 00:43:15,718 --> 00:43:17,094 I was in New York and he was in LA, 1014 00:43:17,177 --> 00:43:19,013 where the accident happened. 1015 00:43:19,054 --> 00:43:21,932 And I was talking to him in the hospital... 1016 00:43:22,016 --> 00:43:23,267 and I said, "Man, are you okay?" 1017 00:43:23,350 --> 00:43:26,020 He said, "Yeah, I'm good, man, I'm good." 1018 00:43:26,061 --> 00:43:27,354 I said, "Man, you need me to come out?" 1019 00:43:27,396 --> 00:43:29,189 You know, that's what we all say, 1020 00:43:29,231 --> 00:43:30,357 you know, when something happens, you know. 1021 00:43:30,399 --> 00:43:31,942 He said, "Actually, yeah." 1022 00:43:32,026 --> 00:43:33,694 It was the first time somebody ever said, 1023 00:43:33,736 --> 00:43:36,155 "Yeah, actually, yeah, I could use the support, 1024 00:43:36,196 --> 00:43:37,615 you know?" 1025 00:43:37,698 --> 00:43:40,659 ♪♪♪ 1026 00:43:40,701 --> 00:43:41,994 I lost one of my best friends, 1027 00:43:42,036 --> 00:43:46,332 and I just do not want to get back in touch with that, 1028 00:43:46,373 --> 00:43:49,209 in terms of doing an interview and-- and really, 1029 00:43:49,251 --> 00:43:50,461 you know, talking about that. 1030 00:43:50,544 --> 00:43:52,546 I don't wanna relive that. 1031 00:43:53,380 --> 00:43:55,549 That's an unfortunate thing that-- you know, 1032 00:43:55,591 --> 00:43:58,636 that I wish had never happened. 1033 00:43:58,719 --> 00:44:02,056 ♪♪♪ 1034 00:44:02,097 --> 00:44:04,892 After he had the car accident, 1035 00:44:04,933 --> 00:44:06,352 that was a really rough time because 1036 00:44:06,393 --> 00:44:09,188 someone was killed in that accident, 1037 00:44:09,229 --> 00:44:11,732 so it took a toll on him. 1038 00:44:11,774 --> 00:44:13,984 And food was his panacea. 1039 00:44:14,068 --> 00:44:16,654 Food was his medicine... 1040 00:44:16,737 --> 00:44:17,655 he thought. 1041 00:44:17,738 --> 00:44:19,031 He said, "Food has never let me down," 1042 00:44:19,073 --> 00:44:21,241 and I said, "Yes, it has. 1043 00:44:21,617 --> 00:44:23,994 Food is not your friend." 1044 00:44:24,078 --> 00:44:29,083 ♪♪♪ 1045 00:44:29,917 --> 00:44:32,169 I was walking down the street and this woman comes up to me, 1046 00:44:32,252 --> 00:44:33,837 and she says, "You're gonna put it all back 1047 00:44:33,921 --> 00:44:35,881 - on, just like Luther did." - Mm, mm! 1048 00:44:35,923 --> 00:44:37,508 Which was such a mean thing! 1049 00:44:37,591 --> 00:44:38,509 - Yeah, yeah. - You know? 1050 00:44:38,592 --> 00:44:40,260 Such a mean thing to say. 1051 00:44:40,302 --> 00:44:43,847 Anyone without the problem may or may not understand... 1052 00:44:43,931 --> 00:44:44,598 Right. 1053 00:44:44,682 --> 00:44:46,016 The full implication of what it is. 1054 00:44:46,100 --> 00:44:47,559 You know, it's-- it's all kinds of things. 1055 00:44:47,601 --> 00:44:49,269 It's not just... 1056 00:44:49,311 --> 00:44:50,104 eating. 1057 00:44:50,145 --> 00:44:51,855 The food is incidental in it. 1058 00:44:51,939 --> 00:44:54,233 It is more about your emotional state... 1059 00:44:54,274 --> 00:44:55,943 - Right. - Whatever your... 1060 00:44:55,984 --> 00:44:57,444 your coping mechanism is. 1061 00:44:57,486 --> 00:45:01,740 You know, if-- if you feel hurt or betrayed, 1062 00:45:01,782 --> 00:45:03,367 whether you know it or not, you go-- 1063 00:45:03,450 --> 00:45:05,035 you cope with something. 1064 00:45:05,119 --> 00:45:06,203 Something, you cope with. 1065 00:45:06,286 --> 00:45:09,540 You either go to church, you-- you do drugs... 1066 00:45:09,623 --> 00:45:10,457 Mm-hm. 1067 00:45:10,499 --> 00:45:12,251 You overeat, you do something to cope. 1068 00:45:12,292 --> 00:45:14,378 ♪♪♪ 1069 00:45:14,461 --> 00:45:16,797 We were preparing to tour, 1070 00:45:16,839 --> 00:45:20,592 and they said, "We're gonna cancel the tour." 1071 00:45:20,634 --> 00:45:22,720 ♪♪♪ 1072 00:45:22,803 --> 00:45:25,889 But then, he decided to go, 1073 00:45:25,973 --> 00:45:27,975 and we gave him so much love. 1074 00:45:28,016 --> 00:45:29,977 He needed to be on the road... 1075 00:45:30,018 --> 00:45:30,894 Even though that had happened. 1076 00:45:30,978 --> 00:45:32,229 - He did, right. - Mentally. 1077 00:45:32,312 --> 00:45:33,105 - Right. - Mm. 1078 00:45:33,147 --> 00:45:34,314 And that's exactly what we said, too. 1079 00:45:34,356 --> 00:45:35,149 Mm-hm. 1080 00:45:35,190 --> 00:45:36,150 "You need to come out." 1081 00:45:36,191 --> 00:45:36,900 Mm-hm. 1082 00:45:36,984 --> 00:45:39,278 And he really felt that... 1083 00:45:39,319 --> 00:45:40,738 that vibe. 1084 00:45:40,821 --> 00:45:42,656 Can-- can we try this, Kevin? 1085 00:45:42,698 --> 00:45:44,324 Um... 1086 00:45:44,366 --> 00:45:45,784 Step in here, in front of that. 1087 00:45:45,826 --> 00:45:48,120 And-- and y'all take a, um... 1088 00:45:48,162 --> 00:45:49,121 a riser each. 1089 00:45:49,163 --> 00:45:50,664 Now, he was a hard taskmaster, 1090 00:45:50,706 --> 00:45:52,916 which means, you know, when we went to rehearsal 1091 00:45:53,000 --> 00:45:54,251 or when we were putting the show together, 1092 00:45:54,334 --> 00:45:55,586 we really worked. 1093 00:45:55,669 --> 00:45:56,754 Right. 1094 00:45:56,837 --> 00:45:59,256 And just-- you don't have to get here at the same time, 1095 00:45:59,339 --> 00:46:00,758 because there's different distances, 1096 00:46:00,841 --> 00:46:01,842 you know, to travel. 1097 00:46:01,884 --> 00:46:02,843 Just when we wave at you, 1098 00:46:02,926 --> 00:46:03,969 was that "Power of Love?" 1099 00:46:04,011 --> 00:46:05,262 ♪When we walk 1100 00:46:05,345 --> 00:46:06,430 ♪Down the street 1101 00:46:06,513 --> 00:46:08,640 - That's this one. - Okay. 1102 00:46:08,682 --> 00:46:09,600 ♪When we w-- 1103 00:46:09,683 --> 00:46:11,685 I just need, in my head, to know where I end 1104 00:46:11,727 --> 00:46:12,936 and where to go. 1105 00:46:13,020 --> 00:46:15,522 10-hour days, six days a week. 1106 00:46:15,564 --> 00:46:17,316 - That's right. - 10-hour days. 1107 00:46:17,357 --> 00:46:19,610 Me and Lisa was like, "Ahhh!" 1108 00:46:20,527 --> 00:46:22,279 Choreography early, and then... 1109 00:46:22,362 --> 00:46:25,616 We would be learning it, and then Luther would come in, 1110 00:46:25,699 --> 00:46:29,787 and sit there, and watch us do the choreography and try to 1111 00:46:29,870 --> 00:46:31,330 put the-- and put the music with it, 1112 00:46:31,371 --> 00:46:33,707 and he'd be like, "Excuse me, 1113 00:46:33,749 --> 00:46:35,125 I'm not playing the lottery..." 1114 00:46:36,210 --> 00:46:37,961 - "So get it right." - That's right. 1115 00:46:38,045 --> 00:46:38,879 You know. 1116 00:46:38,921 --> 00:46:42,132 So you have... ♪No one, no one 1117 00:46:43,217 --> 00:46:45,177 ♪No one, no one 1118 00:46:46,887 --> 00:46:49,056 ♪No one, no one 1119 00:46:50,599 --> 00:46:54,812 ♪No one, no one 1120 00:46:54,895 --> 00:46:59,900 ♪No one, no one 1121 00:47:04,238 --> 00:47:06,657 But that'll trail off when Lisa does the high pitch-- 1122 00:47:06,740 --> 00:47:07,407 - When she comes in. - Right. 1123 00:47:07,449 --> 00:47:08,700 Okay. 1124 00:47:08,742 --> 00:47:12,079 - He would cast -- vocally cast - - the right people with the 1125 00:47:12,120 --> 00:47:16,708 right vibration of sound, the right weight in their voice to 1126 00:47:16,750 --> 00:47:19,753 complement the other person's voice. 1127 00:47:19,795 --> 00:47:23,674 It was almost like being a film director for your ears. 1128 00:47:23,757 --> 00:47:25,676 The rhythm is... 1129 00:47:25,759 --> 00:47:27,177 ♪Ooh-ooh 1130 00:47:29,096 --> 00:47:30,514 ♪Ooh-ooh 1131 00:47:32,474 --> 00:47:34,101 ♪Ooh-ooh 1132 00:47:35,936 --> 00:47:37,729 And it goes on cycle 'til the band plays out. 1133 00:47:37,771 --> 00:47:40,023 I sure like us going back to this one again. 1134 00:47:40,107 --> 00:47:41,275 That's easier. 1135 00:47:41,316 --> 00:47:43,277 Okay, so "Close your eyes." 1136 00:47:43,318 --> 00:47:45,863 ♪Hold on 1137 00:47:45,946 --> 00:47:48,282 ♪And you can feel it... 1138 00:47:48,323 --> 00:47:51,618 The requirement of perfection... 1139 00:47:51,660 --> 00:47:54,371 and the willingness to... 1140 00:47:54,454 --> 00:47:57,040 take whatever time you needed and 1141 00:47:57,124 --> 00:47:59,084 spend whatever money... 1142 00:47:59,126 --> 00:48:01,795 you needed to accomplish that, 'cause it's 1143 00:48:01,837 --> 00:48:04,047 gonna...be...right. 1144 00:48:04,131 --> 00:48:06,300 ♪You got to believe in love♪ 1145 00:48:06,341 --> 00:48:08,802 ♪It's a feeling that's next to none♪ 1146 00:48:08,844 --> 00:48:11,805 ♪Can't stop until we are one♪ 1147 00:48:11,847 --> 00:48:14,057 ♪With the power of love 1148 00:48:14,141 --> 00:48:15,142 ♪'Til every... 1149 00:48:15,225 --> 00:48:16,226 When you're out there on the road, 1150 00:48:16,393 --> 00:48:17,603 man, you know, you have your good nights and your 1151 00:48:17,644 --> 00:48:18,645 bad nights. 1152 00:48:18,687 --> 00:48:20,314 No, man. 1153 00:48:20,355 --> 00:48:21,773 Every night. 1154 00:48:21,815 --> 00:48:23,567 Every night, he was nailing it, 1155 00:48:23,650 --> 00:48:26,486 and he expected everybody to nail it also. 1156 00:48:26,528 --> 00:48:28,655 ♪When we walk 1157 00:48:28,697 --> 00:48:31,074 ♪Down the street 1158 00:48:31,158 --> 00:48:35,746 ♪We don't care who we see or who we meet♪ 1159 00:48:35,829 --> 00:48:38,081 ♪Don't need to run 1160 00:48:38,165 --> 00:48:40,417 ♪Don't need to hide 1161 00:48:40,500 --> 00:48:44,171 ♪'Cause we've got something burning inside♪ 1162 00:48:44,212 --> 00:48:45,339 ♪Yeah 1163 00:48:45,380 --> 00:48:48,592 ♪We've got love 1164 00:48:48,675 --> 00:48:50,510 ♪Power 1165 00:48:50,552 --> 00:48:53,972 We all appreciated the-- the-- the, 1166 00:48:54,014 --> 00:48:55,474 because it was making us better, 1167 00:48:55,515 --> 00:48:59,645 and we saw year after year how we were developing. 1168 00:48:59,686 --> 00:49:03,273 We were ready to get up every day and go to work for him. 1169 00:49:03,357 --> 00:49:04,483 ♪I know, I know that 1170 00:49:05,901 --> 00:49:06,860 ♪We've got love 1171 00:49:08,028 --> 00:49:09,655 ♪Oh, yes, with all of the power♪ 1172 00:49:12,699 --> 00:49:14,117 ♪Of all, of all 1173 00:49:15,702 --> 00:49:17,037 ♪Love, love, love 1174 00:49:18,038 --> 00:49:19,289 ♪Yes, the love and the power♪ 1175 00:49:20,374 --> 00:49:22,292 ♪Together, we can't fall 1176 00:49:22,376 --> 00:49:24,711 ♪I know, I know that we...♪ 1177 00:49:24,753 --> 00:49:26,880 People would say, "You would just go on stage with a 1178 00:49:26,922 --> 00:49:29,800 flashlight and not spend any money on staging and clothes, 1179 00:49:29,883 --> 00:49:31,802 and we'd be fine with that." 1180 00:49:31,885 --> 00:49:34,471 He wasn't fine with that, you know what I mean? 1181 00:49:34,554 --> 00:49:39,142 He wanted to give his audience a show that they would 1182 00:49:39,226 --> 00:49:40,352 remember. 1183 00:49:40,394 --> 00:49:43,146 We do not play with your ticket money. 1184 00:49:43,230 --> 00:49:44,481 Let's go. 1185 00:49:44,564 --> 00:49:46,817 ♪Lately love 1186 00:49:46,900 --> 00:49:50,153 ♪Keeps keeping me awake at night♪ 1187 00:49:50,237 --> 00:49:53,031 ♪Tossing and turning, my love♪ 1188 00:49:53,073 --> 00:49:56,660 ♪Wanna kiss, wanna hold you so tight♪ 1189 00:49:56,743 --> 00:50:00,038 ♪Ooh, but I wonder, love 1190 00:50:00,080 --> 00:50:03,208 ♪Whether you know or not 1191 00:50:03,250 --> 00:50:06,086 ♪When you just hurry away♪ 1192 00:50:06,128 --> 00:50:09,339 ♪Leaving me laying there in shock♪ 1193 00:50:09,423 --> 00:50:12,092 ♪I just wanna be 1194 00:50:12,134 --> 00:50:14,344 ♪The one that you wanna see...♪ 1195 00:50:14,428 --> 00:50:16,596 The elegance of those dresses. 1196 00:50:16,638 --> 00:50:19,683 Every dress was hand-beaded, and just so beautiful, 1197 00:50:19,766 --> 00:50:21,518 so beautiful. 1198 00:50:21,601 --> 00:50:23,687 ♪Almost every day 1199 00:50:23,770 --> 00:50:25,355 ♪You work a lot 1200 00:50:25,439 --> 00:50:27,441 ♪You never stop to love 1201 00:50:27,482 --> 00:50:29,192 ♪ 1202 00:50:29,276 --> 00:50:30,736 ♪I love you, stop 1203 00:50:30,777 --> 00:50:32,529 ♪ 1204 00:50:32,612 --> 00:50:35,991 ♪Come home from the road 1205 00:50:36,450 --> 00:50:38,410 ♪♪ 1206 00:50:38,452 --> 00:50:40,537 ♪Yeah, and let's celebrate♪ 1207 00:50:40,620 --> 00:50:42,289 ♪ 1208 00:50:42,330 --> 00:50:43,749 ♪The love we've got 1209 00:50:43,790 --> 00:50:44,916 ♪ 1210 00:50:44,958 --> 00:50:46,877 He designed many of the costumes himself, 1211 00:50:46,960 --> 00:50:48,754 and said, "Listen, this is my idea," 1212 00:50:48,795 --> 00:50:49,796 and took it to somebody and said, 1213 00:50:49,838 --> 00:50:51,423 "This is what I want you to create." 1214 00:50:51,465 --> 00:50:54,634 That is the key to Luther's entire career. 1215 00:50:54,676 --> 00:50:57,095 You know, people don't understand those amazing shows 1216 00:50:57,137 --> 00:51:00,098 and all of the regalia, all of the costuming, 1217 00:51:00,140 --> 00:51:02,267 and all of the staging, and all that kind of stuff, 1218 00:51:02,309 --> 00:51:05,979 he was putting his money into putting on those shows. 1219 00:51:06,480 --> 00:51:08,231 ♪ 1220 00:51:08,315 --> 00:51:11,485 ♪Say you're coming home 1221 00:51:11,526 --> 00:51:12,611 ♪Oh, oh 1222 00:51:12,652 --> 00:51:13,904 ♪ 1223 00:51:13,987 --> 00:51:16,448 ♪All right, I love you 1224 00:51:22,370 --> 00:51:24,998 ♪FM 92, The Beat 1225 00:51:25,040 --> 00:51:26,166 ♪The Beat... 1226 00:51:26,208 --> 00:51:28,085 All right, we are live for our tribute to Luther! 1227 00:51:28,168 --> 00:51:29,252 Everybody's here, right?! 1228 00:51:32,547 --> 00:51:35,342 At this time, our guest of honor has arrived. 1229 00:51:36,384 --> 00:51:38,512 Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Luther Vandross! 1230 00:51:47,187 --> 00:51:48,271 Luther, welcome! 1231 00:51:48,355 --> 00:51:48,980 Thank you! 1232 00:51:49,022 --> 00:51:50,607 Glad to be here. 1233 00:51:50,690 --> 00:51:53,110 Luther Vandross, look at all your fans... 1234 00:51:53,193 --> 00:51:56,113 Luther was R&B music, and it was great R&B music, 1235 00:51:56,196 --> 00:51:58,532 and a lot of that was to his benefit. 1236 00:51:59,032 --> 00:52:02,285 But Luther would only be played on Black radio, 1237 00:52:02,369 --> 00:52:04,788 so where it became a challenge is when he wanted 1238 00:52:04,871 --> 00:52:06,957 to cross over, 1239 00:52:07,040 --> 00:52:12,045 because Luther was not necessarily embraced... 1240 00:52:13,046 --> 00:52:15,632 or given the freedom 1241 00:52:15,715 --> 00:52:18,218 to do it the same way that other artists 1242 00:52:18,260 --> 00:52:21,138 that don't look like Luther are. 1243 00:52:21,221 --> 00:52:23,473 Why has the label... 1244 00:52:23,557 --> 00:52:26,893 always positioned you, in a business sense, 1245 00:52:26,935 --> 00:52:30,355 as a Black singer, and pigeonholed you in that way, 1246 00:52:30,397 --> 00:52:32,315 and does that bother you? 1247 00:52:32,399 --> 00:52:35,402 Natalie Cole said something that I loved when-- 1248 00:52:35,443 --> 00:52:37,821 in accepting the Grammys or the American Music Award, 1249 00:52:37,904 --> 00:52:41,700 whichever, that she thanked her old fans and her new fans. 1250 00:52:41,741 --> 00:52:42,909 Exactly. 1251 00:52:42,993 --> 00:52:45,996 So, Arsenio, there's nothing wrong with adding new fans to 1252 00:52:46,079 --> 00:52:50,083 your-- I love the people who brought me thus far-- 1253 00:52:50,125 --> 00:52:51,418 Without a doubt, without a doubt. 1254 00:52:51,459 --> 00:52:55,088 But there is-- that is just not the issue at all. 1255 00:52:55,130 --> 00:52:57,340 When you pigeonhole an artist and you make him an R&B 1256 00:52:57,424 --> 00:52:59,426 singer, you are, in a certain way, 1257 00:52:59,467 --> 00:53:01,094 doing him a disservice. 1258 00:53:01,136 --> 00:53:04,514 The point is that I wanna add new listeners, 1259 00:53:04,598 --> 00:53:08,685 and reach as many and as varied a group of people. 1260 00:53:08,768 --> 00:53:12,230 That's been something we've been working on for, uh, 1261 00:53:12,272 --> 00:53:13,190 ever. 1262 00:53:14,774 --> 00:53:16,276 Yeah, uh-huh. 1263 00:53:20,113 --> 00:53:23,533 ♪melancholy piano music 1264 00:53:23,617 --> 00:53:26,077 He felt very strongly that he was being 1265 00:53:26,119 --> 00:53:31,124 treated in a racist way by the executives. 1266 00:53:31,291 --> 00:53:35,462 He felt it from the budgets that he was being given to 1267 00:53:35,503 --> 00:53:38,256 make records, to the amount of money that they were spending 1268 00:53:38,298 --> 00:53:40,884 to promote when he'd look around and know that the 1269 00:53:40,967 --> 00:53:43,386 promotion budgets for that white artist or that white 1270 00:53:43,470 --> 00:53:46,264 artist were triple what they were spending on his records. 1271 00:53:46,306 --> 00:53:49,726 He was not a guy who sort of just made records and stayed 1272 00:53:49,809 --> 00:53:50,977 out of the business side of it; 1273 00:53:51,019 --> 00:53:52,771 he was very astute. 1274 00:53:52,812 --> 00:53:55,148 He was a very astute business man and he knew what was 1275 00:53:55,190 --> 00:53:56,858 happening. 1276 00:53:57,984 --> 00:54:01,571 The concept of crossing over was really... 1277 00:54:01,655 --> 00:54:05,408 so important, honestly, to every artist. 1278 00:54:05,492 --> 00:54:09,412 Radio in America really was... 1279 00:54:09,496 --> 00:54:11,915 Black, white, Black, white, 1280 00:54:11,998 --> 00:54:15,919 and when you had the ability to cross over, 1281 00:54:16,002 --> 00:54:19,089 if you were fortunate enough to cross over, 1282 00:54:19,172 --> 00:54:22,634 really what that did for you was give you way more 1283 00:54:22,676 --> 00:54:26,012 record sales because now, you had other lanes. 1284 00:54:26,054 --> 00:54:28,348 You didn't just get played on the Black station, 1285 00:54:28,390 --> 00:54:31,559 you got played on the white stations as well. 1286 00:54:32,560 --> 00:54:35,438 How it came to be as to whether you were pop or 1287 00:54:35,522 --> 00:54:38,817 whether you were R&B way precedes me, 1288 00:54:38,858 --> 00:54:40,944 but, um... 1289 00:54:41,027 --> 00:54:43,780 it was really done on racial terms. 1290 00:54:43,863 --> 00:54:48,702 R&B play was for African-American artists. 1291 00:54:50,036 --> 00:54:52,455 When records and CDs were sold in stores, 1292 00:54:52,539 --> 00:54:53,707 when you walked into the store, 1293 00:54:53,790 --> 00:54:57,043 it was very rare that Black records were even at the front 1294 00:54:57,085 --> 00:55:00,964 of the store, so if you just came in to browse and you were 1295 00:55:01,047 --> 00:55:03,633 a fan of Black music, you walk in the store and you're just 1296 00:55:03,717 --> 00:55:05,343 looking... 1297 00:55:05,385 --> 00:55:07,178 and ain't really-- "Do they even sell Black music 1298 00:55:07,220 --> 00:55:08,722 in here?" 1299 00:55:08,763 --> 00:55:11,725 And then somebody's telling you "It's at the back." 1300 00:55:12,225 --> 00:55:14,728 This is real talk! 1301 00:55:15,270 --> 00:55:17,647 And when you go to the back, it's starting to smell like 1302 00:55:17,731 --> 00:55:19,816 mice and... 1303 00:55:19,899 --> 00:55:20,650 you know what I'm saying? 1304 00:55:20,734 --> 00:55:23,153 The speakers are static-y and... 1305 00:55:23,236 --> 00:55:26,156 are they even playing Black music in the record store for 1306 00:55:26,239 --> 00:55:28,700 you to get that taste of "Oh, should I buy that?" 1307 00:55:28,742 --> 00:55:31,328 And Luther was fighting all of this. 1308 00:55:31,411 --> 00:55:34,706 That's why, when you hear him quoted so often, 1309 00:55:34,748 --> 00:55:38,001 "I want a number-one record," 1310 00:55:38,084 --> 00:55:41,421 some of that is "I want a number-one record," 1311 00:55:41,463 --> 00:55:44,341 some of it is "I want to be treated fairly 1312 00:55:44,424 --> 00:55:46,092 in this business." 1313 00:55:46,134 --> 00:55:47,677 Live from the Shrine Auditorium in 1314 00:55:47,761 --> 00:55:51,514 Los Angeles, the 28th-annual Grammy Awards! 1315 00:55:51,598 --> 00:55:52,682 Tonight... 1316 00:55:52,766 --> 00:55:55,852 Luther wanted to be number one on the pop charts, 1317 00:55:55,935 --> 00:55:58,605 and then he also wanted a Grammy. 1318 00:55:59,272 --> 00:56:03,443 Now, most of us are too cool to want a Grammy, 1319 00:56:03,485 --> 00:56:04,694 you know? 1320 00:56:04,778 --> 00:56:07,197 You want it, but you're too cool to say you want it. 1321 00:56:07,280 --> 00:56:08,073 But Luther didn't care about that; 1322 00:56:08,114 --> 00:56:10,200 he was like, "I want my Grammy." 1323 00:56:10,283 --> 00:56:12,285 And it took a while. 1324 00:56:13,161 --> 00:56:16,039 And the Grammy goes to... 1325 00:56:16,122 --> 00:56:18,416 Terence Trent D'Arby! 1326 00:56:18,458 --> 00:56:20,418 We're here to present the Grammy for Best R&B 1327 00:56:20,460 --> 00:56:22,128 Performance Male. 1328 00:56:22,170 --> 00:56:24,381 And the Grammy goes to... 1329 00:56:24,464 --> 00:56:27,050 Mister Stevie Wonder! 1330 00:56:27,133 --> 00:56:29,302 And the Grammy goes to... 1331 00:56:29,344 --> 00:56:31,262 "Living in America," James Brown! 1332 00:56:34,015 --> 00:56:35,058 So he calls me up; he says, 1333 00:56:35,141 --> 00:56:36,810 "The Grammys are in New York this year." 1334 00:56:36,851 --> 00:56:40,397 He'd been nominated nine times before and had not won. 1335 00:56:40,480 --> 00:56:41,314 He said, "Eh, I ain't gonna win, 1336 00:56:41,356 --> 00:56:43,483 so listen: just come with me, you know, 1337 00:56:43,525 --> 00:56:45,235 we'll go to the ceremony, we'll go out to eat, 1338 00:56:45,318 --> 00:56:46,736 we'll hang out. 1339 00:56:46,820 --> 00:56:48,113 The nominations for Best R&B... 1340 00:56:48,154 --> 00:56:49,989 Regina Belle and Michael Bolton are on 1341 00:56:50,073 --> 00:56:51,783 the stage calling out the names. 1342 00:56:51,825 --> 00:56:54,536 And the Grammy goes to... 1343 00:56:56,538 --> 00:56:57,664 Luther Vandross, "Here and Now!" 1344 00:56:57,705 --> 00:56:58,915 "Here and Now!" 1345 00:56:58,998 --> 00:57:00,750 ♪Here and now... 1346 00:57:00,834 --> 00:57:03,002 And I could feel him go like this. 1347 00:57:03,044 --> 00:57:05,130 And then, he just sort of calmed down and just got 1348 00:57:05,171 --> 00:57:06,506 really cool. 1349 00:57:09,843 --> 00:57:12,595 ♪You're all I need... 1350 00:57:12,679 --> 00:57:14,931 I'm stunned; I said, "So this is a dude I met in the 1351 00:57:15,014 --> 00:57:17,684 projects, and he's here tonight winning a Grammy for 1352 00:57:17,725 --> 00:57:18,935 'Here and Now.'" 1353 00:57:19,018 --> 00:57:22,772 ♪Your love is all I need... 1354 00:57:22,856 --> 00:57:25,817 ♪Your love is all I need 1355 00:57:28,236 --> 00:57:32,449 ♪I'm so glad, I'm so glad, I'm so glad♪ 1356 00:57:32,532 --> 00:57:34,951 ♪I'm so glad, I'm so glad♪ 1357 00:57:35,034 --> 00:57:40,039 ♪I'm so glad, I'm so glad, yes, I am♪ 1358 00:57:40,206 --> 00:57:42,667 ♪That I won a Grammy♪ 1359 00:57:44,252 --> 00:57:47,547 So he walked in the studio the next day and said, 1360 00:57:47,589 --> 00:57:50,550 "Everyone here, you are to address me for the rest of the 1361 00:57:50,592 --> 00:57:53,803 day as Luther 'Grammy winner' Vandross." 1362 00:57:53,887 --> 00:57:55,638 So we laughed, right? 1363 00:57:55,722 --> 00:57:58,892 And he made us do that for the whole day. 1364 00:58:03,938 --> 00:58:06,232 I had to get that in. 1365 00:58:07,066 --> 00:58:08,485 ♪Yeah, yeah 1366 00:58:08,568 --> 00:58:09,569 ♪Yeah, yeah... 1367 00:58:09,611 --> 00:58:13,698 Those shows can weirdly inspire you, 1368 00:58:13,740 --> 00:58:15,825 because if you get shut out so many times, 1369 00:58:15,909 --> 00:58:17,368 if you think about it, Luther's music just kept 1370 00:58:17,410 --> 00:58:19,329 getting better, kept getting better. 1371 00:58:19,412 --> 00:58:21,331 He said, "I'm gonna be undeny," 1372 00:58:21,414 --> 00:58:22,832 and so... 1373 00:58:22,916 --> 00:58:24,083 it could be the blessing and a curse. 1374 00:58:24,167 --> 00:58:26,669 Of course he should have won a Grammy nine times of the nine 1375 00:58:26,753 --> 00:58:29,672 times he was, uh, shut out, 1376 00:58:29,756 --> 00:58:32,342 but it-- in a weird way, 1377 00:58:32,425 --> 00:58:34,677 it purified him, made him do his best, 1378 00:58:34,761 --> 00:58:35,762 you know? 1379 00:58:35,845 --> 00:58:38,264 I try to do songs that I think I can do differently, 1380 00:58:38,306 --> 00:58:39,098 you know? 1381 00:58:39,140 --> 00:58:40,558 And that I think fit me, you know, 1382 00:58:40,600 --> 00:58:41,768 sort of like, uh... 1383 00:58:41,809 --> 00:58:43,353 what somebody chooses to wear, you know, 1384 00:58:43,436 --> 00:58:45,605 when they're gonna go to the Academy Awards or something, 1385 00:58:45,647 --> 00:58:46,439 you know? 1386 00:58:46,523 --> 00:58:48,191 They choose that special thing, you know. 1387 00:58:48,274 --> 00:58:51,528 So that's the way I try to look at the tunes I cover. 1388 00:58:51,611 --> 00:58:54,739 Now, unlike a lot of artists from, like, 1389 00:58:54,781 --> 00:58:57,033 the '80s and '90s up 'til today, 1390 00:58:57,116 --> 00:59:00,078 Luther, his aesthetic was from the '60s and the '70s. 1391 00:59:00,119 --> 00:59:03,456 Luther had heard "Superstar" in the early '70s. 1392 00:59:03,498 --> 00:59:07,710 ♪Long ago 1393 00:59:07,794 --> 00:59:12,799 ♪And oh, so far away... 1394 00:59:13,132 --> 00:59:14,759 And I'll never forget, 1395 00:59:14,801 --> 00:59:17,053 one day, he walks in and says, 1396 00:59:17,136 --> 00:59:18,721 "Man, we're gonna record 'Superstar.'" 1397 00:59:18,805 --> 00:59:21,307 I said, "The Carpenters?" 1398 00:59:21,349 --> 00:59:23,268 And he goes, "Yeah," and I said, 1399 00:59:23,309 --> 00:59:25,311 "Okay, I know better than to question you, 1400 00:59:25,353 --> 00:59:28,147 but I need to see how this is gonna work." 1401 00:59:30,483 --> 00:59:35,488 ♪I wanna tell you, baby 1402 00:59:36,531 --> 00:59:40,243 ♪The changes I've been 1403 00:59:40,326 --> 00:59:43,997 ♪Goin' through 1404 00:59:44,330 --> 00:59:49,335 ♪Missin' you, missin' you...♪ 1405 00:59:50,336 --> 00:59:52,797 When Luther does a cover, it's gonna be slower 1406 00:59:52,839 --> 00:59:57,844 than the original version, and he asked for an intro, 1407 00:59:58,177 --> 00:59:59,762 and I just... 1408 00:59:59,846 --> 01:00:01,848 went home and started, uh, arranging. 1409 01:00:01,889 --> 01:00:03,808 That was the first full arrangement that I did 1410 01:00:03,850 --> 01:00:05,143 for him. 1411 01:00:05,184 --> 01:00:10,189 ♪Long ago 1412 01:00:14,360 --> 01:00:19,365 ♪And oh, so far away 1413 01:00:23,369 --> 01:00:28,374 ♪I fell in love with you 1414 01:00:33,546 --> 01:00:37,634 ♪Before the second show 1415 01:00:37,717 --> 01:00:41,721 ♪Ooh, oh 1416 01:00:41,763 --> 01:00:46,768 ♪Don't you remember you told me you love me, baby?♪ 1417 01:00:50,271 --> 01:00:55,276 ♪You said you'd be coming back this way again, baby♪ 1418 01:00:59,405 --> 01:01:04,410 ♪Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby♪ 1419 01:01:06,245 --> 01:01:07,705 ♪Yeah 1420 01:01:07,747 --> 01:01:12,210 ♪I love you 1421 01:01:12,251 --> 01:01:17,256 ♪I really do... 1422 01:01:19,300 --> 01:01:21,719 He was such a master at space. 1423 01:01:21,761 --> 01:01:24,931 He would let space go by, 1424 01:01:24,972 --> 01:01:27,600 and get your anticipation up for the next line. 1425 01:01:27,642 --> 01:01:30,186 There were huge pauses where... 1426 01:01:30,269 --> 01:01:32,188 it would just emotionally effect you when he finally 1427 01:01:32,271 --> 01:01:33,189 came back in. 1428 01:01:33,272 --> 01:01:36,693 ♪You look for me to be yours♪ 1429 01:01:37,944 --> 01:01:39,904 ♪You want my love 1430 01:01:39,946 --> 01:01:41,406 ♪But you're on the road 1431 01:01:42,782 --> 01:01:46,202 ♪Don't you remember me 1432 01:01:46,285 --> 01:01:51,290 ♪Anymore? 1433 01:01:51,791 --> 01:01:54,127 ♪Ooh... 1434 01:01:54,168 --> 01:01:56,754 And, you know, there's one point in the song where he 1435 01:01:56,796 --> 01:01:59,882 goes, "♪Keep it right there 1436 01:01:59,966 --> 01:02:01,259 ♪Keep it right there" 1437 01:02:01,300 --> 01:02:02,969 'Cause we had got to that little part in the song that 1438 01:02:03,010 --> 01:02:06,097 Luther likes to add after the song is supposed to be ended 1439 01:02:06,139 --> 01:02:07,306 - ♪Keep it right there♪ -- 1440 01:02:07,348 --> 01:02:09,892 and he's telling me and the rest of the guys who like to 1441 01:02:09,976 --> 01:02:13,146 play jazz, "Don't jazz this thing up. 1442 01:02:13,187 --> 01:02:13,813 Keep it right there." 1443 01:02:13,896 --> 01:02:14,897 "♪Play it easy" 1444 01:02:14,981 --> 01:02:17,066 That's when he says... ♪Play it easy 1445 01:02:17,150 --> 01:02:18,651 ♪Play it easy 1446 01:02:18,693 --> 01:02:22,613 ♪Keep it right there, keep it right there♪ 1447 01:02:22,655 --> 01:02:24,490 ♪Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...♪ 1448 01:02:24,532 --> 01:02:25,742 I said, "Okay, well, what he's gonna do 1449 01:02:25,825 --> 01:02:28,453 is he's gonna turn his vocal off when the song 1450 01:02:28,494 --> 01:02:29,579 gets mixed." 1451 01:02:29,662 --> 01:02:31,831 No, he just left it right there. 1452 01:02:31,873 --> 01:02:34,792 And it became one of the most wonderful parts of the song. 1453 01:02:34,834 --> 01:02:37,920 ♪And I do remember 1454 01:02:38,004 --> 01:02:42,133 ♪Even though it was 1455 01:02:42,175 --> 01:02:45,178 ♪Long 1456 01:02:45,219 --> 01:02:49,098 ♪Ago 1457 01:02:49,182 --> 01:02:54,187 ♪Yeah, yeah, yeah 1458 01:02:54,520 --> 01:02:56,314 ♪Yeah 1459 01:03:04,197 --> 01:03:05,281 Okay, lemme... 1460 01:03:05,364 --> 01:03:06,949 'Cause I like the low-- yeah. 1461 01:03:08,701 --> 01:03:09,702 Right. 1462 01:03:09,744 --> 01:03:11,537 ♪delicate keyboard 1463 01:03:11,579 --> 01:03:14,624 I'll wait until the end-- wait until after the song. 1464 01:03:14,707 --> 01:03:16,459 Yeah, and they know the record, right. 1465 01:03:16,542 --> 01:03:17,710 Exactly. 1466 01:03:17,794 --> 01:03:21,005 Luther just had such a pure heart that came out through 1467 01:03:21,047 --> 01:03:25,885 his vocals and his music in general that, 1468 01:03:25,927 --> 01:03:29,847 you know, it really was, like, otherworldly. 1469 01:03:29,889 --> 01:03:31,682 Like from out of a dream. 1470 01:03:36,729 --> 01:03:38,397 And in this dream, 1471 01:03:38,439 --> 01:03:41,901 there was a major diva in the wings... 1472 01:03:41,943 --> 01:03:43,820 waiting for me. 1473 01:03:46,572 --> 01:03:48,407 Oh, yes! 1474 01:03:49,575 --> 01:03:51,661 She will appear... 1475 01:03:51,744 --> 01:03:53,329 out of somewhere! 1476 01:03:53,412 --> 01:03:55,665 I was so nervous 'cause I had never probably 1477 01:03:55,748 --> 01:03:59,085 played in a place that big before. 1478 01:03:59,752 --> 01:04:02,839 It's the beginning of the performance and Luther's like, 1479 01:04:02,922 --> 01:04:05,883 "I'm seeking out a diva, and she's here, 1480 01:04:05,925 --> 01:04:07,426 and she's there!" 1481 01:04:10,930 --> 01:04:13,850 And I really was honored when he brought me out to sing 1482 01:04:13,933 --> 01:04:15,059 with him. 1483 01:04:15,101 --> 01:04:18,729 ♪My love 1484 01:04:18,771 --> 01:04:23,526 ♪There's only you in my life♪ 1485 01:04:23,609 --> 01:04:27,905 ♪The only thing that's right♪ 1486 01:04:27,947 --> 01:04:30,116 ♪Ooh 1487 01:04:30,157 --> 01:04:33,077 ♪My first love 1488 01:04:33,119 --> 01:04:34,036 ♪Yeah 1489 01:04:34,120 --> 01:04:37,540 ♪You're every breath that I take...♪ 1490 01:04:37,623 --> 01:04:40,710 Mariah kept coming up with song titles that she thought I 1491 01:04:40,793 --> 01:04:42,461 would sound good singing. 1492 01:04:42,503 --> 01:04:45,923 And, uh, then, she suggested "Endless Love," 1493 01:04:45,965 --> 01:04:49,218 and she says, "Ooh, and I'll sing it with you." 1494 01:04:49,302 --> 01:04:52,096 ♪I want to share 1495 01:04:52,138 --> 01:04:54,098 ♪All my love... 1496 01:04:54,140 --> 01:04:57,935 So I guess it was my idea, if Luther said it was. 1497 01:04:57,977 --> 01:05:00,897 But I couldn't have been happier because I was such a 1498 01:05:00,980 --> 01:05:05,985 fan of his, and Luther, being one of the greatest vocalists, 1499 01:05:06,152 --> 01:05:09,614 is something that I really was inspired by. 1500 01:05:09,655 --> 01:05:12,408 ♪I'll be that fool 1501 01:05:12,491 --> 01:05:13,993 ♪For you 1502 01:05:14,035 --> 01:05:15,077 ♪For you baby 1503 01:05:15,161 --> 01:05:16,579 ♪I'll show 1504 01:05:16,662 --> 01:05:18,998 ♪Oh, I'll sure show 1505 01:05:19,040 --> 01:05:21,834 ♪That you know I don't mind♪ 1506 01:05:21,876 --> 01:05:25,922 ♪You know I don't mind, don't mind♪ 1507 01:05:26,005 --> 01:05:29,675 - ♪Yeah - ♪Yeah, yeah 1508 01:05:29,717 --> 01:05:34,722 ♪You'll be the only one 1509 01:05:35,348 --> 01:05:36,641 ♪'Cause no one 1510 01:05:36,682 --> 01:05:40,603 ♪No one can deny 1511 01:05:40,686 --> 01:05:45,483 ♪This love I have inside 1512 01:05:45,524 --> 01:05:50,446 ♪And I'll give it all to you♪ 1513 01:05:50,529 --> 01:05:54,325 ♪My love, my love, my love♪ 1514 01:05:54,367 --> 01:05:59,372 ♪My endless love 1515 01:06:01,415 --> 01:06:05,628 ♪L-l-l-l-l, l-l-l-l-l, l-l-l-l-l♪ 1516 01:06:05,711 --> 01:06:09,131 ♪Eh, l-love 1517 01:06:09,215 --> 01:06:12,885 ♪L-love 1518 01:06:13,761 --> 01:06:18,766 ♪vocalizing 1519 01:06:26,440 --> 01:06:29,652 ♪My 1520 01:06:29,735 --> 01:06:33,823 ♪Love 1521 01:06:33,906 --> 01:06:36,075 Play the down beat for the verse. 1522 01:06:36,117 --> 01:06:37,368 ♪piano chords 1523 01:06:37,410 --> 01:06:39,245 ♪Eh-- No, one more time. 1524 01:06:42,248 --> 01:06:47,253 ♪Every time you go away 1525 01:06:47,420 --> 01:06:48,671 I'm going with this. 1526 01:06:48,754 --> 01:06:51,757 ♪I always say 1527 01:06:52,466 --> 01:06:56,762 ♪It's goodbye, dear 1528 01:06:58,431 --> 01:07:01,600 ♪Loving you the way I do 1529 01:07:01,642 --> 01:07:03,019 Check it out, right. 1530 01:07:03,102 --> 01:07:05,229 ♪I'd take you back 1531 01:07:05,271 --> 01:07:07,440 Mm-hm, mm-hm. 1532 01:07:07,481 --> 01:07:12,486 ♪Without you, I'd die, dear♪ 1533 01:07:14,113 --> 01:07:19,118 ♪Knowing I love you so 1534 01:07:21,829 --> 01:07:25,624 ♪Anyone who had a heart would take me♪ 1535 01:07:25,666 --> 01:07:29,795 ♪In his arms and love me too♪ 1536 01:07:29,837 --> 01:07:30,921 ♪You 1537 01:07:30,963 --> 01:07:32,882 ♪Couldn't really have a heart♪ 1538 01:07:32,965 --> 01:07:34,717 ♪And hurt me 1539 01:07:34,800 --> 01:07:39,805 ♪Like you've hurt me and be so untrue♪ 1540 01:07:40,139 --> 01:07:43,017 ♪What am I to do?...♪ 1541 01:07:43,517 --> 01:07:46,979 What I loved more than anything else about hearing 1542 01:07:47,021 --> 01:07:51,400 the songs that he decided he wanted to record of mine 1543 01:07:51,484 --> 01:07:54,070 was that he made them his own. 1544 01:07:54,153 --> 01:07:56,572 It wasn't "Oh, I'm gonna sing it like Dionne sang it." 1545 01:07:56,655 --> 01:07:57,948 "I'm gonna sing it like Luther." 1546 01:07:57,990 --> 01:08:00,826 Mister Luther Vandross. 1547 01:08:01,160 --> 01:08:05,581 ♪Whoa 1548 01:08:11,837 --> 01:08:14,799 ♪Dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-dum♪ 1549 01:08:14,840 --> 01:08:16,008 ♪Hey, yeah, baby 1550 01:08:16,050 --> 01:08:17,426 ♪Whoa, honey... 1551 01:08:17,510 --> 01:08:19,929 I remember hearing "A House is Not a Home" for 1552 01:08:20,012 --> 01:08:21,764 the first time. 1553 01:08:21,847 --> 01:08:24,266 I-- I couldn't believe what I was hearing. 1554 01:08:24,350 --> 01:08:27,770 I told him, I said, "Baby doll, 1555 01:08:27,853 --> 01:08:30,523 you have just given me the definitive version 1556 01:08:30,564 --> 01:08:31,816 of that song." 1557 01:08:31,857 --> 01:08:36,821 ♪A chair is still a chair♪ 1558 01:08:36,862 --> 01:08:40,116 ♪Even when there's no one♪ 1559 01:08:40,199 --> 01:08:43,744 ♪Sitting there... 1560 01:08:45,037 --> 01:08:46,163 I'm like, "What? 1561 01:08:46,205 --> 01:08:47,623 He's singing about furniture in this motherfucker and it 1562 01:08:47,706 --> 01:08:48,999 sounds great?! 1563 01:08:49,041 --> 01:08:50,668 Shit! 1564 01:08:50,709 --> 01:08:51,710 This motherfucker..." 1565 01:08:51,752 --> 01:08:52,336 You know what I'm saying?! 1566 01:08:52,378 --> 01:08:54,713 We at Wayfair! 1567 01:08:54,880 --> 01:08:56,465 ♪But a chair♪ 1568 01:08:56,549 --> 01:08:59,051 ♪Is still a chair... 1569 01:08:59,218 --> 01:09:04,223 ♪But oh, a room is not a house♪ 1570 01:09:06,392 --> 01:09:09,311 ♪And a house is not a home♪ 1571 01:09:09,395 --> 01:09:13,357 ♪When the two of us 1572 01:09:13,399 --> 01:09:16,193 ♪We are far apart 1573 01:09:16,235 --> 01:09:18,696 ♪And one of us 1574 01:09:18,737 --> 01:09:21,532 ♪Has 1575 01:09:21,574 --> 01:09:26,537 ♪A broken heart 1576 01:09:26,579 --> 01:09:27,746 ♪Yeah... 1577 01:09:27,830 --> 01:09:32,209 And I gotta say, when I was being honored by the NAACP 1578 01:09:32,251 --> 01:09:36,172 and he performed it for me, it was... 1579 01:09:36,255 --> 01:09:37,423 it was overwhelming. 1580 01:09:37,464 --> 01:09:38,591 It really was. 1581 01:09:38,632 --> 01:09:40,176 'Cause he just showed out that night. 1582 01:09:40,259 --> 01:09:41,719 He really did. 1583 01:09:41,760 --> 01:09:44,722 ♪'Cause I'm not meant 1584 01:09:44,763 --> 01:09:47,349 ♪To live alone, no 1585 01:09:47,433 --> 01:09:49,059 ♪N-n-n-n-n-n-no, no 1586 01:09:49,101 --> 01:09:51,729 ♪Turn this house into a home♪ 1587 01:09:51,770 --> 01:09:55,524 ♪When I climb the stairs 1588 01:09:55,608 --> 01:09:58,360 ♪When I turn the key, oh 1589 01:09:58,444 --> 01:09:59,737 ♪Please be there 1590 01:09:59,778 --> 01:10:03,240 ♪Saying that you're still in love♪ 1591 01:10:03,282 --> 01:10:08,287 ♪You're sure in love with me♪ 1592 01:10:08,954 --> 01:10:13,250 ♪Oh 1593 01:10:13,292 --> 01:10:15,878 ♪I'm not meant 1594 01:10:15,961 --> 01:10:19,715 ♪To live alone 1595 01:10:19,798 --> 01:10:22,218 ♪Turn this house into a home♪ 1596 01:10:22,301 --> 01:10:25,221 ♪When 1597 01:10:25,304 --> 01:10:28,390 ♪I climb the stairs 1598 01:10:28,474 --> 01:10:32,061 ♪Reach out and turn the key, oh♪ 1599 01:10:32,144 --> 01:10:34,563 ♪Baby, please be there 1600 01:10:34,647 --> 01:10:36,774 ♪And still 1601 01:10:36,815 --> 01:10:40,736 ♪In love 1602 01:10:40,819 --> 01:10:44,573 ♪With 1603 01:10:44,657 --> 01:10:48,244 ♪Me 1604 01:10:48,327 --> 01:10:50,663 ♪Yeah 1605 01:10:50,704 --> 01:10:53,457 ♪With me, oh 1606 01:10:53,499 --> 01:10:55,751 ♪Oh 1607 01:10:55,834 --> 01:10:57,920 ♪Love 1608 01:10:58,003 --> 01:11:00,756 ♪Still in love with 1609 01:11:00,839 --> 01:11:03,801 ♪Me 1610 01:11:03,842 --> 01:11:07,429 ♪Yeah 1611 01:11:13,185 --> 01:11:15,104 ♪pensive groovy music 1612 01:11:21,360 --> 01:11:23,779 The moment hip-hop got on the radio, 1613 01:11:23,862 --> 01:11:28,033 it became a huge challenge for artists like Luther 1614 01:11:28,075 --> 01:11:32,204 and all those R&B artists who dominated radio. 1615 01:11:33,872 --> 01:11:37,293 It became hip-hop's time, so a lot of artists from Luther's 1616 01:11:37,376 --> 01:11:40,129 generation, it got a little quiet for them -- 1617 01:11:40,212 --> 01:11:41,964 not to the point that they weren't successful, 1618 01:11:42,047 --> 01:11:44,842 but not successful in the way that they had previously been 1619 01:11:44,883 --> 01:11:46,719 successful. 1620 01:11:48,554 --> 01:11:50,639 Well, I haven't released a product in, uh, 1621 01:11:50,723 --> 01:11:53,183 a couple of years now, and, um, 1622 01:11:53,225 --> 01:11:55,060 it'll be interesting because I'm about to sign a 1623 01:11:55,102 --> 01:11:56,061 new record deal. 1624 01:11:56,145 --> 01:11:57,313 You're gonna-- now, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, 1625 01:11:57,396 --> 01:11:58,814 you're gonna sign with -- I read this -- 1626 01:11:58,897 --> 01:11:59,898 you're gonna sign with Clive Davis? 1627 01:11:59,940 --> 01:12:00,816 I am, yeah. 1628 01:12:00,899 --> 01:12:02,651 You are gonna sign with J Records, 1629 01:12:02,735 --> 01:12:03,402 with his new label? 1630 01:12:03,444 --> 01:12:05,404 Absolutely, yeah. 1631 01:12:05,571 --> 01:12:10,159 Clive Davis is so known for his expertise as an 1632 01:12:10,242 --> 01:12:12,161 executive producer. 1633 01:12:12,244 --> 01:12:15,497 Aretha came to Clive, Dionne came to Clive, 1634 01:12:15,581 --> 01:12:17,333 Whitney started with Clive. 1635 01:12:17,416 --> 01:12:21,545 He's just instrumental in a lot of Black artists' lives, 1636 01:12:21,587 --> 01:12:25,549 and so if I'm Luther Vandross and I'm a little bit at a 1637 01:12:25,591 --> 01:12:28,886 turning point, Clive can seem like, 1638 01:12:28,927 --> 01:12:30,387 um... 1639 01:12:30,429 --> 01:12:33,390 a very soft place to land. 1640 01:12:33,432 --> 01:12:36,018 I was just starting my new record label, 1641 01:12:36,101 --> 01:12:40,856 J Records, and we agreed to have dinner. 1642 01:12:40,939 --> 01:12:44,360 Luther had one mission in mind for that dinner: 1643 01:12:44,443 --> 01:12:49,406 "Do you believe that I can have hits again?" said he. 1644 01:12:49,448 --> 01:12:53,535 And I said, "That opens up my question to you: 1645 01:12:53,619 --> 01:12:55,788 Will you be open 1646 01:12:55,829 --> 01:13:00,292 to my finding some outside songs for you?" 1647 01:13:00,334 --> 01:13:04,254 He said, "I am totally open to outside material." 1648 01:13:04,296 --> 01:13:08,550 The first album that we did together, 1649 01:13:08,634 --> 01:13:10,427 he did do an outside song. 1650 01:13:10,469 --> 01:13:12,137 It's called "Take You Out." 1651 01:13:12,179 --> 01:13:15,057 ♪She caught me by surprise, I must say♪ 1652 01:13:15,140 --> 01:13:17,726 ♪'Cause I never have seen such a pretty face♪ 1653 01:13:17,810 --> 01:13:20,229 ♪With such a warm and beautiful smile♪ 1654 01:13:20,312 --> 01:13:24,066 ♪It wasn't hard for me to notice her style...♪ 1655 01:13:24,149 --> 01:13:27,152 He's sold over 20...million...albums 1656 01:13:27,194 --> 01:13:29,113 worldwide! 1657 01:13:29,154 --> 01:13:32,241 And apparently, he's definitely not done! 1658 01:13:32,324 --> 01:13:35,994 Luther had a voice like no other -- spectacular. 1659 01:13:36,036 --> 01:13:38,747 And he was back to being platinum! 1660 01:13:38,831 --> 01:13:41,083 Making a special appearance! 1661 01:13:41,166 --> 01:13:42,459 106 and Park! 1662 01:13:42,501 --> 01:13:44,628 Y'all better stand up right now! 1663 01:13:44,670 --> 01:13:46,171 Give it up... 1664 01:13:46,213 --> 01:13:48,424 for the one and only... 1665 01:13:48,507 --> 01:13:50,759 - Luther Vandross! - All right! 1666 01:13:52,219 --> 01:13:53,595 I'm happier now than I've ever been, 1667 01:13:53,679 --> 01:13:58,100 but I expect to one day be the happiest I can be. 1668 01:13:58,183 --> 01:14:01,645 I'm still looking for that meaningful other person 1669 01:14:01,687 --> 01:14:03,439 in my life. 1670 01:14:03,522 --> 01:14:06,608 That is something that baffles me that I haven't been able 1671 01:14:06,692 --> 01:14:07,443 to find. 1672 01:14:07,526 --> 01:14:09,194 That seems like such a basic thing. 1673 01:14:09,236 --> 01:14:12,698 Sometimes, I think that, uh, fate... 1674 01:14:12,739 --> 01:14:14,992 has to work with you, you know, 1675 01:14:15,033 --> 01:14:16,952 to find... 1676 01:14:17,035 --> 01:14:17,828 certain things. 1677 01:14:17,870 --> 01:14:21,540 I mean, if fate wants you to find love, 1678 01:14:21,582 --> 01:14:24,960 you could hide in the basement of your house with all the 1679 01:14:25,043 --> 01:14:29,631 doors bolted, you know, and it'll still happen. 1680 01:14:29,715 --> 01:14:31,133 Do you guys have a question? 1681 01:14:31,216 --> 01:14:32,551 Yeah, what's your question? 1682 01:14:32,593 --> 01:14:35,012 You've done a number of great songs over the years. 1683 01:14:35,053 --> 01:14:39,224 Which two were your favorite, and why? 1684 01:14:39,266 --> 01:14:40,726 Mm. 1685 01:14:40,767 --> 01:14:44,146 "Any Love" remains my favorite song. 1686 01:14:44,229 --> 01:14:45,230 Really? Why? 1687 01:14:45,314 --> 01:14:49,860 Because it is probably the only real autobiographical 1688 01:14:49,902 --> 01:14:51,487 song that I wrote. 1689 01:14:51,570 --> 01:14:55,157 That's exactly the way I was feeling when I wrote the song. 1690 01:14:55,240 --> 01:14:59,411 ♪I speak to myself sometimes♪ 1691 01:14:59,453 --> 01:15:02,247 ♪And I say "Oh, my 1692 01:15:03,248 --> 01:15:06,710 ♪In a lot of ways, you're a lucky guy♪ 1693 01:15:06,752 --> 01:15:10,339 ♪And, oh, now all you need is♪ 1694 01:15:10,422 --> 01:15:12,090 ♪A chance to try 1695 01:15:12,132 --> 01:15:15,469 ♪Any love" 1696 01:15:19,097 --> 01:15:23,101 ♪In my heart, there's a need to shout♪ 1697 01:15:24,269 --> 01:15:27,856 ♪Dyin', screamin', cryin' "Let me out"♪ 1698 01:15:27,940 --> 01:15:29,191 ♪Yeah 1699 01:15:29,274 --> 01:15:33,362 ♪Are all those feelings that wanna touch♪ 1700 01:15:33,445 --> 01:15:36,114 ♪Any love?... 1701 01:15:36,156 --> 01:15:38,534 When people ask me, "Tell me about Luther," 1702 01:15:38,617 --> 01:15:40,536 I say, "Just listen to 'Any Love.' 1703 01:15:40,619 --> 01:15:42,955 Just listen to those lyrics, you know?" 1704 01:15:42,996 --> 01:15:44,957 "I got everything. 1705 01:15:45,457 --> 01:15:47,793 I speak to myself sometimes and I say, 1706 01:15:47,834 --> 01:15:51,213 'Oh my, in a lot of ways, you're a lucky guy. 1707 01:15:51,296 --> 01:15:55,050 Now all you need is a chance to try any love.'" 1708 01:15:55,133 --> 01:15:56,218 Right? Woo... 1709 01:15:56,301 --> 01:15:58,428 ♪Any love 1710 01:15:58,470 --> 01:16:00,097 ♪And, oh 1711 01:16:00,138 --> 01:16:03,767 ♪Everyone needs love, no doubt♪ 1712 01:16:03,809 --> 01:16:06,144 ♪Any love 1713 01:16:06,478 --> 01:16:08,981 ♪Any love 1714 01:16:09,022 --> 01:16:10,649 ♪And, oh 1715 01:16:10,691 --> 01:16:14,319 ♪Everybody feels alone without♪ 1716 01:16:14,361 --> 01:16:16,488 ♪Any love 1717 01:16:16,989 --> 01:16:20,075 ♪Any love 1718 01:16:20,158 --> 01:16:24,329 ♪And I know there's someone waiting♪ 1719 01:16:24,830 --> 01:16:27,499 ♪To enter my life 1720 01:16:27,541 --> 01:16:30,294 ♪Come into my life 1721 01:16:30,335 --> 01:16:31,753 ♪And, oh 1722 01:16:31,837 --> 01:16:36,341 ♪Suddenly, out of the clear blue sky♪ 1723 01:16:36,383 --> 01:16:37,593 Oh, yeah. 1724 01:16:37,676 --> 01:16:38,594 That was that day. 1725 01:16:44,516 --> 01:16:45,309 Oh, goodness. 1726 01:16:45,350 --> 01:16:46,476 And the next line is what? 1727 01:16:46,518 --> 01:16:47,853 'Cause I'm trying to think why is it autobiographical? 1728 01:16:47,894 --> 01:16:49,521 Uh, "Lonely tears start to fill my eyes..." 1729 01:16:49,563 --> 01:16:50,188 Oh... 1730 01:16:50,272 --> 01:16:51,773 "I get weak, but I refuse to cry. 1731 01:16:51,857 --> 01:16:52,774 I've got to keep holding on." 1732 01:16:52,858 --> 01:16:53,525 You know. 1733 01:16:53,609 --> 01:16:55,152 It was one of those days, y'all. 1734 01:16:55,193 --> 01:16:58,864 ♪Everyone needs a love, no doubt♪ 1735 01:16:58,905 --> 01:17:01,199 ♪Any love 1736 01:17:01,533 --> 01:17:03,827 ♪Any love 1737 01:17:03,869 --> 01:17:05,329 ♪And, oh... 1738 01:17:05,370 --> 01:17:08,457 I love, love, loved that song "Any Love" before I worked for 1739 01:17:08,540 --> 01:17:10,626 Luther, but once I started working for Luther, 1740 01:17:10,709 --> 01:17:13,629 I could see that the desperation described in that 1741 01:17:13,712 --> 01:17:16,340 song was real, 1742 01:17:16,381 --> 01:17:18,383 and I hated that song after that because 1743 01:17:18,425 --> 01:17:23,013 it always reminded me that he wasn't seeking love, 1744 01:17:23,055 --> 01:17:25,557 he was seeking any love. 1745 01:17:25,599 --> 01:17:27,059 ♪Is there 1746 01:17:27,100 --> 01:17:30,729 ♪Any 1747 01:17:30,771 --> 01:17:35,776 ♪Love? 1748 01:17:45,952 --> 01:17:50,957 ♪delicate melancholy music♪ 1749 01:17:52,125 --> 01:17:53,877 He would say, "I feel like a trick has been 1750 01:17:53,919 --> 01:17:55,962 played on me." 1751 01:17:56,129 --> 01:17:57,589 "What do you mean?" 1752 01:17:57,631 --> 01:18:00,175 "Well, God has given me everything I asked for, 1753 01:18:00,258 --> 01:18:02,344 except for this one thing: 1754 01:18:02,427 --> 01:18:05,013 to have one person who... 1755 01:18:05,097 --> 01:18:05,931 who loves me." 1756 01:18:06,014 --> 01:18:07,683 And we would say, "But Luther, you know, 1757 01:18:07,766 --> 01:18:09,893 we love you," and he'd say, "I know you guys love me." 1758 01:18:10,811 --> 01:18:12,354 "That's not what I'm talking about." 1759 01:18:12,437 --> 01:18:17,192 So we never made that a focal point of our relationship, 1760 01:18:17,275 --> 01:18:19,861 and we were together quite a bit. 1761 01:18:19,945 --> 01:18:22,614 Our dream for Luther was just that he could be loved and 1762 01:18:22,656 --> 01:18:25,242 appreciated for who he was, 'cause he was a wonderful 1763 01:18:25,283 --> 01:18:26,743 human being. 1764 01:18:26,785 --> 01:18:29,287 ♪♪♪ 1765 01:18:29,329 --> 01:18:33,542 His life had some extremely joyful moments 1766 01:18:33,625 --> 01:18:35,085 and some really difficult moments. 1767 01:18:35,127 --> 01:18:37,087 There was one time... 1768 01:18:37,129 --> 01:18:39,965 after Luther lost all the weight... 1769 01:18:40,006 --> 01:18:41,883 there was a rumor that he died or that he had AIDS 1770 01:18:41,967 --> 01:18:43,552 or something. 1771 01:18:43,635 --> 01:18:45,387 Now, last week there was-- last year, 1772 01:18:45,470 --> 01:18:47,764 there were a lot of rumors because you got thin. 1773 01:18:47,806 --> 01:18:50,058 Yeah, you're not gonna ask me about that stupid 1774 01:18:50,142 --> 01:18:51,309 thing that was so-- 1775 01:18:51,351 --> 01:18:52,728 No, I'm gonna ask you what diet you went on. 1776 01:18:52,811 --> 01:18:54,062 So irresponsibly wrote in-- 1777 01:18:54,146 --> 01:18:55,480 I'm not gonna even mention it. 1778 01:18:55,522 --> 01:18:57,232 There was a report out -- a rumor out -- 1779 01:18:57,315 --> 01:18:58,233 that Luther... 1780 01:18:58,316 --> 01:18:59,151 was dead! 1781 01:18:59,192 --> 01:19:00,569 Oh, yeah. 1782 01:19:00,652 --> 01:19:01,611 Did you guys hear that? 1783 01:19:01,653 --> 01:19:02,821 - Did y'all hear it? - Yeah, I heard it! 1784 01:19:02,904 --> 01:19:05,407 Yeah, there was-- so, finally, it just made me realize you 1785 01:19:05,490 --> 01:19:06,742 have to just... 1786 01:19:06,825 --> 01:19:08,952 I-- I cop to it; I... 1787 01:19:08,994 --> 01:19:09,786 I died! 1788 01:19:11,163 --> 01:19:12,164 Man, can you imagine? 1789 01:19:12,247 --> 01:19:14,166 He said, "Man, I'm sitting here in the living room 1790 01:19:14,207 --> 01:19:18,920 watching TV on Sunday, and the pastor is saying a prayer for 1791 01:19:19,004 --> 01:19:21,923 me because I just passed." 1792 01:19:22,007 --> 01:19:23,592 He went, "Nah... 1793 01:19:23,675 --> 01:19:25,635 I'm still here!" 1794 01:19:25,677 --> 01:19:26,261 Can you imagine? 1795 01:19:26,344 --> 01:19:27,763 I mean, this is like... 1796 01:19:27,846 --> 01:19:31,016 I tell a lot of you young people: fame and fortune... 1797 01:19:31,725 --> 01:19:33,351 Fortune's cool. 1798 01:19:33,393 --> 01:19:35,270 Fame's not always so cool. 1799 01:19:44,196 --> 01:19:48,074 ♪Knowing love the way I do♪ 1800 01:19:49,201 --> 01:19:53,663 ♪I can say for certain that it's true♪ 1801 01:19:53,705 --> 01:19:58,627 ♪There's a chance for me and you...♪ 1802 01:19:58,710 --> 01:20:00,295 Well, would you say you've spent more time being 1803 01:20:00,378 --> 01:20:03,006 in love or, like, waiting for love? 1804 01:20:03,048 --> 01:20:04,633 Waiting. 1805 01:20:04,716 --> 01:20:06,343 Waiting. 1806 01:20:06,384 --> 01:20:08,720 And the time that was spent being in love was largely, 1807 01:20:08,762 --> 01:20:11,848 unfortunately, always... 1808 01:20:11,890 --> 01:20:14,392 unrequited, unreciprocated, whatever the word is. 1809 01:20:14,434 --> 01:20:15,977 - You know what I'm saying? - Mm-hm. 1810 01:20:16,061 --> 01:20:20,649 ♪Now, I remember spending all my time♪ 1811 01:20:20,732 --> 01:20:24,528 ♪On a dream that kept me wishing♪ 1812 01:20:24,569 --> 01:20:29,199 ♪That you could be mine 1813 01:20:29,241 --> 01:20:31,910 ♪Yeah... 1814 01:20:31,952 --> 01:20:33,995 I don't consider myself unloveable by any 1815 01:20:34,079 --> 01:20:35,080 - stretch... - Mm-hm. 1816 01:20:35,121 --> 01:20:36,331 But... 1817 01:20:36,414 --> 01:20:38,834 no, that has not happened, you know, 1818 01:20:38,917 --> 01:20:41,586 so I've-- I'm still waiting. 1819 01:20:43,088 --> 01:20:44,005 ♪Whoo 1820 01:20:44,089 --> 01:20:45,715 ♪I've been missing 1821 01:20:47,592 --> 01:20:49,678 ♪Takes a long time 1822 01:20:49,761 --> 01:20:54,015 ♪But wait for love and you're gonna get your♪ 1823 01:20:54,099 --> 01:20:55,350 ♪Chance to love 1824 01:20:55,433 --> 01:20:57,561 ♪Wait for love, wait for love♪ 1825 01:20:59,604 --> 01:21:02,983 ♪You, yeah... 1826 01:21:04,442 --> 01:21:06,862 It always made me sad, 1827 01:21:06,945 --> 01:21:09,781 because I always wanted Luther to find whatever would fulfill 1828 01:21:09,823 --> 01:21:11,366 his heart. 1829 01:21:11,449 --> 01:21:14,619 There was something inside of Luther that he just... 1830 01:21:14,703 --> 01:21:17,873 I think in some ways felt like he couldn't share 1831 01:21:17,956 --> 01:21:19,749 all of himself. 1832 01:21:19,791 --> 01:21:24,379 ♪soft melancholy music 1833 01:21:24,462 --> 01:21:28,049 I think that, because of the stigma back then, 1834 01:21:28,133 --> 01:21:31,428 if he was gay, the thought of, quote, 1835 01:21:31,469 --> 01:21:34,806 "coming out," he couldn't bear it. 1836 01:21:35,140 --> 01:21:38,727 He'd rather be alone than have that stigma attached. 1837 01:21:38,810 --> 01:21:43,398 ♪♪♪ 1838 01:21:43,481 --> 01:21:47,068 One of the things that really pissed me off is there were 1839 01:21:47,152 --> 01:21:51,573 people who have talked about his personal life who, 1840 01:21:51,656 --> 01:21:54,659 you know, he considered friends. 1841 01:21:54,701 --> 01:21:57,495 ♪♪♪ 1842 01:21:57,537 --> 01:22:02,083 Did he struggle with the idea of coming out publicly? 1843 01:22:02,167 --> 01:22:04,461 Was that-- was that something that you talked about at all? 1844 01:22:04,502 --> 01:22:05,629 We talked about it. 1845 01:22:05,670 --> 01:22:09,758 It was-- basically, he did not want his mother to be... 1846 01:22:09,841 --> 01:22:10,842 although she might have known... 1847 01:22:10,884 --> 01:22:12,010 Uh-huh. 1848 01:22:12,052 --> 01:22:14,429 But he wasn't gonna come out and say this to the world. 1849 01:22:14,512 --> 01:22:17,307 And he had a lot of lady fans, and he told me that he just 1850 01:22:17,349 --> 01:22:19,768 didn't want to upset the world. 1851 01:22:19,851 --> 01:22:24,856 ♪♪♪ 1852 01:22:25,023 --> 01:22:27,984 I don't really know what I wanna say. 1853 01:22:28,026 --> 01:22:33,031 I'm gonna always respect whatever position he took. 1854 01:22:34,532 --> 01:22:36,493 Questions about my sexuality will, 1855 01:22:36,534 --> 01:22:39,579 I suppose, just always be questions. 1856 01:22:40,872 --> 01:22:43,291 Lemme tell you who I owe answers to: 1857 01:22:43,375 --> 01:22:44,834 what I owe you... 1858 01:22:44,876 --> 01:22:48,463 is my music, my talent, my best effort, 1859 01:22:48,546 --> 01:22:49,297 you know? 1860 01:22:49,381 --> 01:22:50,173 That's all. 1861 01:22:50,215 --> 01:22:53,969 I will neither deny or confirm 1862 01:22:54,052 --> 01:22:57,347 that any such rumors about personal things like that 1863 01:22:57,389 --> 01:23:00,225 are-- are true or untrue. 1864 01:23:00,266 --> 01:23:03,061 I won't give the satisfaction of a denial, 1865 01:23:03,103 --> 01:23:06,231 because that is a submission of sort. 1866 01:23:06,272 --> 01:23:09,150 I wouldn't even address it, I will just say mind your f'ing 1867 01:23:09,234 --> 01:23:10,485 business. 1868 01:23:10,568 --> 01:23:12,529 That's my response to that. 1869 01:23:12,570 --> 01:23:16,992 ♪♪♪ 1870 01:23:17,075 --> 01:23:18,743 You seem to be at a weight that you're 1871 01:23:18,785 --> 01:23:20,036 comfortable with. 1872 01:23:20,078 --> 01:23:22,497 How did you lose it, and are you feeling better these days 1873 01:23:22,580 --> 01:23:24,165 than you have in a long time? 1874 01:23:24,249 --> 01:23:25,083 I am feeling better. 1875 01:23:25,125 --> 01:23:26,835 I'm somewhere in the middle right now, 1876 01:23:26,918 --> 01:23:28,670 but I'm feeling better than I-- 1877 01:23:28,753 --> 01:23:30,839 than I do when I'm really obese. 1878 01:23:30,922 --> 01:23:35,927 I lost, uh, 120 pounds, put on a f-- some fraction of that -- 1879 01:23:36,136 --> 01:23:37,887 - I'm not giving any specifics. - Okay. 1880 01:23:37,929 --> 01:23:39,764 You look great at whatever weight you're currently at. 1881 01:23:39,806 --> 01:23:41,182 Luther Vandross, thank you so much for joining us. 1882 01:23:41,266 --> 01:23:42,934 Thank you, Bill. 1883 01:23:44,269 --> 01:23:46,896 So the whole thing of being fat and being thin and being 1884 01:23:46,938 --> 01:23:48,690 fat and being thin, we always told him, 1885 01:23:48,773 --> 01:23:50,608 "Dude, you can't keep this up. 1886 01:23:50,650 --> 01:23:53,361 Can't you just find out where your basic...?" 1887 01:23:53,445 --> 01:23:56,114 'Cause everybody normalizes at a certain place, 1888 01:23:56,156 --> 01:24:00,035 but if you have diabetes, you don't know what anybody's 1889 01:24:00,118 --> 01:24:02,704 negotiating with at any one time, 1890 01:24:02,787 --> 01:24:05,373 and so we must not forget... 1891 01:24:05,457 --> 01:24:10,336 that above all things, Luther was a diabetic. 1892 01:24:12,005 --> 01:24:14,466 You know, we all worried about it because it's, 1893 01:24:14,507 --> 01:24:17,218 uh-- how many times can your body take that? 1894 01:24:17,302 --> 01:24:20,764 And he says, "Robin, you don't have the same problem I have." 1895 01:24:20,805 --> 01:24:22,766 He said, "I obsess about food." 1896 01:24:22,807 --> 01:24:24,601 He said, "I'm thinking about food from the time 1897 01:24:24,642 --> 01:24:26,061 I wake up... 1898 01:24:26,144 --> 01:24:28,146 until the time I go to sleep." 1899 01:24:28,188 --> 01:24:30,815 And I just said, "Whoa." 1900 01:24:31,483 --> 01:24:33,568 I read in a magazine once -- this is the weirdest question 1901 01:24:33,651 --> 01:24:34,778 - I'm sure you've ever heard... - Uh-huh. 1902 01:24:34,819 --> 01:24:37,113 But I read in a magazine one of the strangest things you 1903 01:24:37,155 --> 01:24:38,990 had ever eaten was a hamburger 1904 01:24:39,032 --> 01:24:40,784 between two glazed donuts 'cause you couldn't 1905 01:24:40,825 --> 01:24:42,243 find any hamburger rolls. 1906 01:24:42,327 --> 01:24:44,913 Is that a true story, and how disgusting was that? 1907 01:24:44,996 --> 01:24:46,081 Disgusting? 1908 01:24:46,164 --> 01:24:47,832 Oh, no, no, that was good! 1909 01:24:47,874 --> 01:24:49,167 It wa--? 1910 01:24:49,209 --> 01:24:50,668 What are you gonna be doing for, uh, 1911 01:24:50,710 --> 01:24:51,503 Thanksgiving, Luther? 1912 01:24:51,544 --> 01:24:52,462 Will you be here or in LA? 1913 01:24:52,504 --> 01:24:53,588 Inhaling a turkey. 1914 01:24:53,671 --> 01:24:54,506 Yeah, inhaling? 1915 01:24:54,547 --> 01:24:55,340 - Ooh... - No, no, no. 1916 01:24:55,381 --> 01:24:56,841 Well, we have a desk out there. 1917 01:24:56,883 --> 01:24:57,926 You can try everybody's... 1918 01:24:58,009 --> 01:24:59,260 But you've lost some weight, haven't you? 1919 01:24:59,344 --> 01:25:01,137 Uh, hi. 1920 01:25:01,179 --> 01:25:01,846 - No. - No? 1921 01:25:01,888 --> 01:25:02,764 He doesn't like to discuss it. 1922 01:25:02,847 --> 01:25:03,765 Oh, I'm sorry! 1923 01:25:03,848 --> 01:25:08,561 You take somebody who was as huge a talent... 1924 01:25:08,728 --> 01:25:10,605 and as accomplished as he was, 1925 01:25:10,688 --> 01:25:12,690 and they just sort of, like... 1926 01:25:12,732 --> 01:25:16,694 shrunk him down to that -- to a soundbite about his weight. 1927 01:25:16,736 --> 01:25:18,613 It was like... 1928 01:25:18,696 --> 01:25:21,866 It absolutely irritated him, as it should have. 1929 01:25:21,908 --> 01:25:25,870 A lot of people make a big deal out of your weight. 1930 01:25:25,912 --> 01:25:27,330 Does it bother you? 1931 01:25:27,372 --> 01:25:28,873 Yeah, it's bothersome right now. 1932 01:25:28,915 --> 01:25:30,500 Now that you're asking me, it's bothersome, 1933 01:25:30,542 --> 01:25:32,544 'cause I don't enjoy talking about it a lot. 1934 01:25:32,585 --> 01:25:34,045 You know, my record company, J Records, 1935 01:25:34,087 --> 01:25:35,547 used to always insist, "Oh, you gotta--" 1936 01:25:35,588 --> 01:25:37,549 'Cause I used to say, "I don't wanna talk about that. 1937 01:25:37,590 --> 01:25:39,843 I don't-- I don't really wanna speak on that. 1938 01:25:39,884 --> 01:25:42,137 You know, that's a personal struggle," and... 1939 01:25:42,220 --> 01:25:43,388 and they would always say, "Yeah, 1940 01:25:43,429 --> 01:25:46,141 but it has-- it's like a human interest story and everybody 1941 01:25:46,224 --> 01:25:47,308 wants to talk about it." 1942 01:25:47,392 --> 01:25:48,726 And I'm saying, "Yeah, but what if I talk about it and 1943 01:25:48,768 --> 01:25:50,019 gain any of it back, you know? 1944 01:25:50,061 --> 01:25:53,231 Then, I have to carry that type of paranoia." 1945 01:25:53,273 --> 01:25:57,026 ♪soft melancholy music 1946 01:25:57,068 --> 01:25:59,154 His weight was, like, this huge story! 1947 01:25:59,237 --> 01:26:00,321 I mean, it broke my heart when it-- 1948 01:26:00,405 --> 01:26:03,324 You know, when he finally managed his weight, 1949 01:26:03,408 --> 01:26:06,494 when he was maintaining his weight, 1950 01:26:06,578 --> 01:26:08,371 they decided to promote the album, 1951 01:26:08,413 --> 01:26:10,498 it would all be about his weight loss story. 1952 01:26:10,582 --> 01:26:14,043 It was too much, and it broke, and he started to gain the 1953 01:26:14,085 --> 01:26:15,670 weight back. 1954 01:26:15,753 --> 01:26:19,007 And it was so sad that there was such a fixation about 1955 01:26:19,090 --> 01:26:20,884 his weight. 1956 01:26:20,925 --> 01:26:23,136 That was heartbreaking. 1957 01:26:23,303 --> 01:26:25,013 - Luther! - Yeah! 1958 01:26:25,096 --> 01:26:25,847 Big Luther, though. 1959 01:26:25,930 --> 01:26:27,223 Big Luther, not Little Luther. 1960 01:26:28,433 --> 01:26:29,517 I don't... 1961 01:26:29,601 --> 01:26:31,519 I don't do Little Luther, I don't do Little Luther. 1962 01:26:31,603 --> 01:26:32,437 I... 1963 01:26:32,520 --> 01:26:35,356 I like Big, Curl-Ain't-Quite-Right Luther. 1964 01:26:35,440 --> 01:26:36,608 That's the one I like. 1965 01:26:38,443 --> 01:26:40,028 ♪♪♪ 1966 01:26:40,111 --> 01:26:41,362 Here's a man who was probably like, 1967 01:26:41,446 --> 01:26:43,072 "I need to get healthy." 1968 01:26:43,114 --> 01:26:45,950 But it's tough because when we see you and we love you, 1969 01:26:45,992 --> 01:26:48,620 we love you for what we see and love right then. 1970 01:26:48,661 --> 01:26:50,705 If something changes-- you know Black people... 1971 01:26:50,788 --> 01:26:52,707 You lose weight, "Man, you okay?" 1972 01:26:52,790 --> 01:26:54,250 You know Black people; you can't lose no weight. 1973 01:26:54,292 --> 01:26:56,502 "You okay? You sick?" 1974 01:26:57,295 --> 01:27:00,715 If we were to be able to talk to Luther at that time, 1975 01:27:00,798 --> 01:27:01,883 as fans, we would have been able to say, 1976 01:27:01,966 --> 01:27:04,052 "Whatever weight you are, 1977 01:27:04,135 --> 01:27:06,596 we don't care, we just love you." 1978 01:27:06,638 --> 01:27:11,434 ♪♪♪ 1979 01:27:11,476 --> 01:27:14,103 We worried about him, 1980 01:27:14,145 --> 01:27:16,981 because when Luther was under stress is when 1981 01:27:17,023 --> 01:27:18,650 he would eat. 1982 01:27:18,691 --> 01:27:21,569 ♪sparse melancholy music 1983 01:27:21,653 --> 01:27:25,907 He was back and forth at the studio 24/7. 1984 01:27:25,990 --> 01:27:29,244 He was working on that record like crazy, 1985 01:27:29,327 --> 01:27:32,330 just to get it done, to get it out. 1986 01:27:32,497 --> 01:27:34,832 He called me in the middle of the night one night, 1987 01:27:34,874 --> 01:27:35,917 like at three o'clock in the morning. 1988 01:27:36,000 --> 01:27:38,086 He's in the studio at Hit Factory when it was 1989 01:27:38,169 --> 01:27:39,003 on 54th street. 1990 01:27:39,045 --> 01:27:40,421 He says, "Come downstairs. 1991 01:27:40,505 --> 01:27:41,756 I want you to take a ride with me." 1992 01:27:41,839 --> 01:27:43,091 I said, "Okay, fine." 1993 01:27:43,174 --> 01:27:44,968 Get in the car, he says, "I got this new song I wanna play 1994 01:27:45,009 --> 01:27:46,135 for you." 1995 01:27:46,177 --> 01:27:49,013 ♪"Dance with My Father" intro♪ 1996 01:27:49,055 --> 01:27:51,266 At the end of it, my face is wet. 1997 01:27:51,349 --> 01:27:53,142 I said, "What is that?!" 1998 01:27:53,184 --> 01:27:55,270 He said, "This is gonna be my career song." 1999 01:27:55,353 --> 01:27:56,813 He said, "I'm probably gonna have a struggle with the 2000 01:27:56,854 --> 01:28:01,025 record company," he said, "but this is my career song." 2001 01:28:01,067 --> 01:28:05,363 ♪Back when I was a child 2002 01:28:07,365 --> 01:28:12,370 ♪Before life removed all the innocence♪ 2003 01:28:13,204 --> 01:28:18,042 ♪My father would lift me high♪ 2004 01:28:19,210 --> 01:28:24,215 ♪And dance with my mother and me and then♪ 2005 01:28:24,382 --> 01:28:28,886 ♪Spin me around 'til I fell asleep♪ 2006 01:28:30,221 --> 01:28:34,684 ♪Then up the stairs he would carry me♪ 2007 01:28:34,726 --> 01:28:37,687 ♪And I knew for sure 2008 01:28:37,729 --> 01:28:41,232 ♪I was loved... 2009 01:28:42,567 --> 01:28:45,486 When he played it... 2010 01:28:45,570 --> 01:28:47,322 I was in awe because... 2011 01:28:47,405 --> 01:28:49,157 how could he remember these things, 2012 01:28:49,240 --> 01:28:50,366 you know? 2013 01:28:50,408 --> 01:28:51,659 He said, "Well, I wrote this, listen," 2014 01:28:51,743 --> 01:28:54,704 and then, when I heard it... 2015 01:28:54,746 --> 01:28:57,749 it just-- it grabbed me. 2016 01:28:58,458 --> 01:29:02,211 ♪How I'd love, love, love♪ 2017 01:29:02,253 --> 01:29:06,507 ♪To dance with my father again...♪ 2018 01:29:06,591 --> 01:29:07,675 Him doing "Dance with My Father," 2019 01:29:07,759 --> 01:29:10,678 it's almost like he put his own flag in the sand. 2020 01:29:10,762 --> 01:29:12,013 It's like, "I've got this song. 2021 01:29:12,096 --> 01:29:13,389 Y'all are gonna put this out." 2022 01:29:13,431 --> 01:29:14,682 And they did, and he was right. 2023 01:29:14,766 --> 01:29:18,603 ♪And I'd hear how my mother cried for him...♪ 2024 01:29:18,644 --> 01:29:19,854 They could have chose something else and the 2025 01:29:19,937 --> 01:29:21,022 story might have been different; 2026 01:29:21,105 --> 01:29:22,732 he might have never had a number-one record, 2027 01:29:22,774 --> 01:29:25,276 we might not have ever heard this emotion that speaks 2028 01:29:25,318 --> 01:29:26,110 to everyone. 2029 01:29:26,152 --> 01:29:28,905 ♪Every night I fall asleep♪ 2030 01:29:28,946 --> 01:29:33,951 ♪And this is all I ever dream...♪ 2031 01:29:34,786 --> 01:29:38,039 I just was crying, man, because... 2032 01:29:38,122 --> 01:29:40,708 you know, he wrote it from such and honest place, 2033 01:29:40,792 --> 01:29:42,543 and he had been... 2034 01:29:42,627 --> 01:29:45,755 refining this-- this song in his head somehow, 2035 01:29:45,797 --> 01:29:47,465 for all those years. 2036 01:29:47,507 --> 01:29:50,635 And not long after that, he had his stroke. 2037 01:29:50,676 --> 01:29:54,555 ♪soft dark music 2038 01:29:54,639 --> 01:29:58,935 April, a sunny day, and I had to go to the new 2039 01:29:58,976 --> 01:30:02,063 apartment where Luther was and we were still renovating. 2040 01:30:02,146 --> 01:30:04,899 I rang the doorbell and Luther didn't pick up, 2041 01:30:04,982 --> 01:30:08,319 which was really odd -- he was always on time. 2042 01:30:10,196 --> 01:30:12,240 So I had to go see what was going on. 2043 01:30:12,323 --> 01:30:14,659 And we had just replaced the doors, 2044 01:30:14,700 --> 01:30:17,578 and they were, like, these beautiful mahogany doors, 2045 01:30:17,662 --> 01:30:21,290 and so we broke down the door, and I was screaming as we were 2046 01:30:21,332 --> 01:30:23,751 breaking down the door, "I'm so sorry, Luther! 2047 01:30:23,835 --> 01:30:25,128 I know I'm out of control! 2048 01:30:25,169 --> 01:30:26,421 I'm sorry to break down the door! 2049 01:30:26,504 --> 01:30:27,255 I know you just had it done! 2050 01:30:27,338 --> 01:30:28,423 You can take it out of my paycheck, 2051 01:30:28,506 --> 01:30:29,757 but I don't know what's going on, 2052 01:30:29,841 --> 01:30:32,760 and you're not answering, and I just need to see what's 2053 01:30:32,844 --> 01:30:34,512 going on!" 2054 01:30:35,012 --> 01:30:37,014 And it was quiet. 2055 01:30:37,056 --> 01:30:40,852 And so I walked around, and I walked down the hallway, 2056 01:30:40,893 --> 01:30:45,189 and I looked to the right to the bedroom... 2057 01:30:51,195 --> 01:30:53,448 Soul singer Luther Vandross is still hospitalized in 2058 01:30:53,531 --> 01:30:55,450 intensive care in a New York City hospital after... 2059 01:30:55,533 --> 01:30:58,453 R&B legend Luther Vandross suffered a massive stroke that 2060 01:30:58,536 --> 01:31:01,456 left him hospitalized in critical condition. 2061 01:31:01,539 --> 01:31:04,125 Those were some difficult times to see the strongest 2062 01:31:04,208 --> 01:31:07,211 person you knew to be knocked... 2063 01:31:07,253 --> 01:31:11,174 to his knees, you know, in a health situation. 2064 01:31:11,215 --> 01:31:13,509 The last thing that anybody thought, 2065 01:31:13,551 --> 01:31:17,638 including him, is that that would happen. 2066 01:31:17,722 --> 01:31:22,018 How devastatingly ironic is it that that song is number one 2067 01:31:22,059 --> 01:31:25,521 on the pop charts, and he can't even appreciate it 2068 01:31:25,563 --> 01:31:27,315 'cause he was... 2069 01:31:27,398 --> 01:31:29,150 in and out of that coma, you know? 2070 01:31:30,234 --> 01:31:33,279 And the Grammy goes to... 2071 01:31:36,240 --> 01:31:38,659 Richard Marx and Luther Vandross 2072 01:31:38,743 --> 01:31:40,411 for "Dance with My Father!" 2073 01:31:40,453 --> 01:31:42,747 Luther Vandross! 2074 01:31:43,748 --> 01:31:44,665 I, uh... 2075 01:31:44,749 --> 01:31:48,169 I have had the honor, for the last 13 years, 2076 01:31:48,252 --> 01:31:51,589 to write songs with Luther, my friend, 2077 01:31:51,631 --> 01:31:55,009 who I love, who I wish was here with me 'cause he'd be 2078 01:31:55,092 --> 01:31:58,012 whispering to me about what everybody's wearing. 2079 01:32:00,765 --> 01:32:03,518 You all know how ridiculously talented he is, 2080 01:32:03,601 --> 01:32:06,604 but some of you don't know that he's also one of the 2081 01:32:06,646 --> 01:32:09,524 funniest, kindest, brightest people on the face 2082 01:32:09,607 --> 01:32:10,691 of the Earth. 2083 01:32:10,775 --> 01:32:13,611 I thank the Academy so much for honoring not only our 2084 01:32:13,653 --> 01:32:16,239 song, "Dance with My Father," but Luther himself tonight, 2085 01:32:16,280 --> 01:32:17,782 because no one's more deserving. 2086 01:32:25,623 --> 01:32:28,042 I went right from the Grammys to see him, 2087 01:32:28,125 --> 01:32:30,044 'cause I wanted to celebrate with him but he-- you know, 2088 01:32:30,127 --> 01:32:33,214 obviously, he was in bad shape. 2089 01:32:33,297 --> 01:32:36,217 But he did his exercises and he did this therapy, 2090 01:32:36,300 --> 01:32:39,720 and then we ended up coming back to his room and... 2091 01:32:39,804 --> 01:32:43,558 and we did have a pretty amazing conversation about 2092 01:32:43,641 --> 01:32:46,102 winning that Grammy. 2093 01:32:46,143 --> 01:32:51,065 ♪delicate melancholy music♪ 2094 01:32:51,148 --> 01:32:55,111 I said, "Luther, it's everything... 2095 01:32:55,152 --> 01:32:57,405 that we could have hoped for. 2096 01:32:57,488 --> 01:33:01,576 I mean, it is everybody's favorite song, 2097 01:33:01,659 --> 01:33:03,452 favorite record. 2098 01:33:03,494 --> 01:33:05,788 We're going platinum... 2099 01:33:05,830 --> 01:33:07,832 and greater." 2100 01:33:08,040 --> 01:33:11,294 And a smile came on his face. 2101 01:33:11,335 --> 01:33:13,504 He said, "I love it." 2102 01:33:14,338 --> 01:33:17,425 The doctors were shocked. 2103 01:33:17,508 --> 01:33:19,343 I mean... 2104 01:33:19,385 --> 01:33:23,514 he understood every word that I was saying. 2105 01:33:24,890 --> 01:33:29,186 It was such a wonderful sign at the time of... 2106 01:33:29,228 --> 01:33:32,106 recovery was a possibility. 2107 01:33:32,189 --> 01:33:37,194 ♪♪♪ 2108 01:33:38,195 --> 01:33:41,782 I want to know what you wanted to say... 2109 01:33:41,866 --> 01:33:45,703 to your many, many, many fans. 2110 01:33:45,745 --> 01:33:48,664 I wanna thank them... 2111 01:33:48,706 --> 01:33:50,833 for even caring. 2112 01:33:50,875 --> 01:33:52,668 It's a wonderful feeling. 2113 01:33:52,710 --> 01:33:53,794 Mm-hm. 2114 01:33:53,878 --> 01:33:56,631 Every day, do you say, "I wanna get a little better 2115 01:33:56,714 --> 01:33:58,549 at something?" 2116 01:33:58,883 --> 01:34:02,219 Well, right now, what I want to get better at is, 2117 01:34:02,261 --> 01:34:04,388 um... 2118 01:34:05,389 --> 01:34:07,975 living with this, 2119 01:34:08,059 --> 01:34:10,478 living with these thoughts, 2120 01:34:10,561 --> 01:34:14,482 living with this, you know, feeling of, uh... 2121 01:34:14,565 --> 01:34:16,984 of the last... 2122 01:34:17,068 --> 01:34:18,653 chapter. 2123 01:34:18,736 --> 01:34:23,741 ♪soft tense music 2124 01:34:25,076 --> 01:34:26,827 I got a call from the hospital saying, 2125 01:34:26,911 --> 01:34:28,162 "You need to come here." 2126 01:34:28,245 --> 01:34:28,829 I said, "What? 2127 01:34:28,913 --> 01:34:29,747 What's the matter?" 2128 01:34:29,789 --> 01:34:31,415 They said, "Well, he's... 2129 01:34:31,457 --> 01:34:32,416 he's not breathing." 2130 01:34:32,500 --> 01:34:34,043 I said, "What do you mean he's not breathing?" 2131 01:34:34,085 --> 01:34:35,336 I said, "What does that mean?" 2132 01:34:35,419 --> 01:34:37,046 They said, "You just need to come." 2133 01:34:37,088 --> 01:34:40,758 ♪♪♪ 2134 01:34:40,800 --> 01:34:44,261 We went into the room where his body was. 2135 01:34:45,096 --> 01:34:46,764 And... 2136 01:34:46,806 --> 01:34:49,433 we saw our friend... 2137 01:34:52,937 --> 01:34:54,355 I'm sorry. 2138 01:34:54,438 --> 01:34:56,107 I'm sorry. 2139 01:34:58,109 --> 01:35:00,027 I just remember us going into the room and me, 2140 01:35:00,111 --> 01:35:02,071 Robin, and Carlos just holding him, 2141 01:35:02,113 --> 01:35:03,531 just... 2142 01:35:03,614 --> 01:35:06,951 just holding him just like, "This is crazy." 2143 01:35:06,992 --> 01:35:11,997 ♪♪♪ 2144 01:35:15,126 --> 01:35:16,711 Luther! 2145 01:35:16,794 --> 01:35:19,463 We love you, Luther! 2146 01:35:21,173 --> 01:35:23,050 ♪church organ 2147 01:35:23,134 --> 01:35:26,762 ♪Oh 2148 01:35:26,804 --> 01:35:29,890 ♪Jesus will be waiting 2149 01:35:29,974 --> 01:35:32,727 ♪For me... 2150 01:35:32,810 --> 01:35:37,815 I think I was just too full at Luther's... 2151 01:35:38,315 --> 01:35:41,318 service to... 2152 01:35:43,154 --> 01:35:47,992 I can't tell you who else did what or what or... 2153 01:35:48,367 --> 01:35:50,494 It was just... 2154 01:35:50,536 --> 01:35:51,912 overwhelming. 2155 01:35:51,996 --> 01:35:53,956 ♪Meet you there 2156 01:35:53,998 --> 01:35:57,752 ♪Oh, yes, I will 2157 01:35:57,835 --> 01:36:02,339 ♪vocalizing 2158 01:36:02,381 --> 01:36:05,009 It was surreal... 2159 01:36:05,176 --> 01:36:07,762 being asked to speak. 2160 01:36:07,845 --> 01:36:11,265 We will all miss him, but as we said -- 2161 01:36:11,348 --> 01:36:15,436 and probably will be said over and over again -- 2162 01:36:15,519 --> 01:36:19,523 his legacy will live on forever. 2163 01:36:21,859 --> 01:36:24,445 It was something that had to be done. 2164 01:36:24,528 --> 01:36:25,613 We got through it. 2165 01:36:25,696 --> 01:36:27,323 ♪We've got love 2166 01:36:28,365 --> 01:36:30,034 ♪And all of the power 2167 01:36:31,202 --> 01:36:35,456 ♪It's the greatest power of them all♪ 2168 01:36:35,539 --> 01:36:38,209 ♪Hey, we've got love 2169 01:36:39,210 --> 01:36:40,836 ♪And all of the power 2170 01:36:42,254 --> 01:36:46,717 That day of his funeral was so beautiful. 2171 01:36:47,551 --> 01:36:50,471 Everybody sang, we got up and sang, 2172 01:36:50,554 --> 01:36:53,349 Stevie was singing, Alicia Keys, 2173 01:36:53,390 --> 01:36:55,142 everybody... 2174 01:36:55,226 --> 01:36:58,312 Freddie Jackson, everybody was there. 2175 01:36:58,395 --> 01:37:01,565 And we made it a celebration. 2176 01:37:02,233 --> 01:37:04,568 ♪It's the greatest power 2177 01:37:04,610 --> 01:37:07,321 ♪It's called love 2178 01:37:07,404 --> 01:37:08,864 ♪I'm talkin' 'bout love...♪ 2179 01:37:08,906 --> 01:37:11,325 Everybody has something that they're 2180 01:37:11,408 --> 01:37:13,994 supposed to do in this life. 2181 01:37:14,078 --> 01:37:17,414 My uncle had a job to do while he was here, 2182 01:37:17,456 --> 01:37:18,916 and he did it. 2183 01:37:18,958 --> 01:37:22,419 He fulfilled his obligation to this Earth. 2184 01:37:23,754 --> 01:37:27,258 You can't think of that man without thinking about love. 2185 01:37:30,594 --> 01:37:32,680 Thank you for coming out and celebrating this 2186 01:37:32,763 --> 01:37:35,266 awesome occasion with us! 2187 01:37:35,307 --> 01:37:38,602 This star will be here for many, many moons, 2188 01:37:38,644 --> 01:37:40,437 for many, many people to come back, 2189 01:37:40,479 --> 01:37:43,440 and when they see his name, 2190 01:37:43,482 --> 01:37:46,360 they're gonna remember why they love him. 2191 01:37:46,443 --> 01:37:49,947 ♪Love has truly 2192 01:37:49,989 --> 01:37:53,742 ♪Been good to me 2193 01:37:53,784 --> 01:37:56,537 ♪Not even one sad day 2194 01:37:56,620 --> 01:38:01,208 ♪Or minute have I had since you've come my way♪ 2195 01:38:01,292 --> 01:38:04,879 ♪I hope you know 2196 01:38:04,962 --> 01:38:08,716 ♪I'd gladly go 2197 01:38:08,799 --> 01:38:11,552 ♪Anywhere you take me 2198 01:38:11,635 --> 01:38:15,222 ♪It's so amazing to be loved♪ 2199 01:38:15,306 --> 01:38:20,311 ♪I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above...♪ 2200 01:38:21,979 --> 01:38:23,063 If you say "Aretha," 2201 01:38:23,147 --> 01:38:24,398 you know who we're talking about. 2202 01:38:24,481 --> 01:38:26,734 If you say "Marvin," you hear a sound in your head. 2203 01:38:26,817 --> 01:38:28,319 "Stevie," you definitely hear, like, 2204 01:38:28,360 --> 01:38:30,237 a few sounds in your head. 2205 01:38:30,321 --> 01:38:32,573 And if you say "Luther," we all know exactly what you're 2206 01:38:32,656 --> 01:38:34,366 talking about. 2207 01:38:34,825 --> 01:38:37,786 ♪Got to tell you... 2208 01:38:37,828 --> 01:38:41,790 I can't think of anybody that is near to him in his 2209 01:38:41,832 --> 01:38:45,002 uniqueness and his talent, and just even the texture 2210 01:38:45,044 --> 01:38:46,086 of his voice. 2211 01:38:46,170 --> 01:38:48,088 You only come across an artist like Luther Vandross, 2212 01:38:48,172 --> 01:38:49,924 like, once in a lifetime. 2213 01:38:50,007 --> 01:38:53,636 ♪And it's so amazing, amazing♪ 2214 01:38:53,677 --> 01:38:57,348 ♪I could stay forever, forever♪ 2215 01:38:57,389 --> 01:39:01,101 ♪Here in love and I'll leave you never♪ 2216 01:39:01,185 --> 01:39:04,813 ♪'Cause we've got amazing love♪ 2217 01:39:04,855 --> 01:39:08,525 ♪Truly, it's amazing, amazing♪ 2218 01:39:08,567 --> 01:39:12,279 ♪Love brought us together, together♪ 2219 01:39:12,363 --> 01:39:15,950 ♪I would leave you never and never♪ 2220 01:39:16,033 --> 01:39:20,287 ♪Yes, we've got amazing love♪ 2221 01:39:20,371 --> 01:39:24,875 ♪Ooh, so amazing 2222 01:39:24,917 --> 01:39:28,879 ♪And I've been waiting 2223 01:39:28,921 --> 01:39:31,799 ♪For a love like you 2224 01:39:31,882 --> 01:39:35,386 ♪It's so amazing to be loved♪ 2225 01:39:35,427 --> 01:39:40,432 ♪I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above♪ 2226 01:39:42,726 --> 01:39:44,645 ♪Oh, and it's so 2227 01:39:44,728 --> 01:39:46,730 ♪It's so 2228 01:39:46,772 --> 01:39:50,359 ♪It's so amazing to be loved♪ 2229 01:39:50,401 --> 01:39:55,406 ♪I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above♪ 2230 01:39:56,573 --> 01:39:59,535 ♪And you know 2231 01:39:59,576 --> 01:40:01,662 ♪It's so 2232 01:40:01,745 --> 01:40:05,332 ♪It's so amazing to be loved♪ 2233 01:40:05,416 --> 01:40:10,254 ♪I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above♪ 2234 01:40:10,295 --> 01:40:14,508 ♪Yeah, yeah 2235 01:40:14,591 --> 01:40:16,552 ♪It's so 2236 01:40:16,593 --> 01:40:20,222 ♪It's so amazing to be loved♪ 2237 01:40:20,264 --> 01:40:25,185 ♪I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above♪ 2238 01:40:25,269 --> 01:40:29,440 ♪Yeah, yeah 2239 01:40:29,481 --> 01:40:31,567 ♪It's so 2240 01:40:31,608 --> 01:40:35,237 ♪It's so amazing to be loved♪ 2241 01:40:35,279 --> 01:40:40,075 ♪I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above♪ 2242 01:40:40,117 --> 01:40:44,288 ♪Yeah, yeah 2243 01:40:44,371 --> 01:40:46,582 ♪It's so 2244 01:40:46,623 --> 01:40:50,252 ♪It's so amazing to be loved♪ 2245 01:40:50,294 --> 01:40:55,049 ♪I'd follow you to the moon in the sky above♪ 2246 01:40:55,132 --> 01:40:59,303 ♪Yeah, yeah 2247 01:40:59,344 --> 01:41:02,014 ♪It's so 160628

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