Classic Soul – Luther Vandross

Bob,

I am here now in the state of shock… I’ve been singing with Luther since 1979 and he was like a brother to me… We had a very special bond…. I loved him so much and learned so much from him.. I just performed a set for him on his birthday this past April… He told me "I took it to the Wall!" … I will miss him … But the truth is I’ve missed him now for the past few years… He never really recovered from the stroke.. I will miss all of the times we shared both on and off the road, in the studio… We would go the movies sometimes he and Fonzi would pick me up to go to the movies with them.. Just going to dinner we shared so much laughter and tears… God Bless his family and what they are going through right now.. I know his family and especially his Mom.. She has watched all of her children pass.. I feel so much for her right now…

The world will truly miss a great artist.. He was one of a kind.. No one. Absolutely no one could touch him vocally… His voice was velvet and his interpretation unique. No one could imitate him… I am mourning him… We’ve lost a major force in music…

Luther Vandross set the bar for vocals.. Any vocals.. Be it lead or background. He was so very generous and giving knowledge at every turn… What I learned from him was the protocol that has taken me through my life and musical career… Such incredible memories of love and laughter, I am so proud to have been a part of his family…

Peace and Blessings,

Paulette McWilliams

New York, NY.

www.paulettemcwilliams.com