News

FANDROSS ‘Celebrating and Continuing the Musical Legacy of Luther Vandross’ Announces Bad Boy/Having a Birthday Celebration 2019 at New York’s Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar on April 20

Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will join friends, family and fans of the legendary singer Luther Vandross at FANDROSS: Bad Boy/Having a Party Birthday Celebration 2019,” an extraordinary evening of music, memories and magic at Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar in Manhattan on April 20 (two shows only: 8pm and 10:30pm). Tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fandross-bad-boyhaving-a-party-birthday-celebration-2019-tickets-52233853863

FANDROSS was started by Seveda Williams, Luther’s niece, as a means of celebrating and continuing the musical connection the groundbreaking soul singer had forged with millions of fans. FANDROSS launched successfully in 2018 with its first official event as a two day FANDROSS Festival which featured classic and revised music, a performance, interview and awards film, stage and career memorabilia, a panel discussion and more.

FANDROSS Bad Boy/ Having a Party Birthday Celebration 2019 takes the audience on a musical journey revisiting Luther’s early years at Cotillion Records, a soulful exploration of deep grooves, background vocals and arrangements and an electrifying evening of epic emotions shared with fans by the very vocal divas, musical titans and singing colleagues who worked directly with Luther as a tribute to an artist who changed their lives.

“Hello and welcome to FANDROSS ‘Celebrating and Continuing the Musical Legacy of Luther Vandross’ by presenting audiences with authentic, official Luther Vandross events that bring together his family, loving lifelong friends, amazing former singers, renowned musicians and incredible loyal fans,” said Seveda Williams, CEO of FANDROSS, Vice President of Development and Marketing for Vandross LLC, and Corporate Liaison with SME/Legacy Recordings.

For many years Seveda would gather “my family, the LV singers and band members, his close friends, cast and crew together to celebrate on his birthday. These were fun times filled with hugs and plenty of laughter as everyone reconnected and reminisced about their shared experiences, kinda like a private club. As time moved along and everyone began to get their bearings and hearts healed, (especially mine) I clearly heard the call from his fans asking for a similar chance. They too, missed him. Et voila, and Boom FANDROSS was born!! Events inspired by and including fan participation in order to extend the music loving family to his fans…. I believe the love, warmth and messages my uncle shared with all his fans through his music is needed now more than ever and deserves to live on. Together we can make that happen. FANDROSS aims to present shows and events that hug the essence of who he was. Just like he used to say, ‘we won’t play with your ticket money’. With the encouragement and support of my friends, family, industry greats, Sony Music/Legacy Recordings, you (loyal Luther fans) and my never-ending love for my uncle; the man, his works and his musical legacy we will move forward to create incredible fan experiences. Share in the journey with us.”

https://FANDROSS.com
LegacyRecordings.com

“Talkin’ about the impossible dream!” Luther won his fifth American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist on this day in 1996. Watch here:

“The Rush,” the third and final single from Power of Love, became another Top 10 R&B single from the album, reaching #6 on Billboard‘s R&B chart. Watch here:

On this night in 2002, Luther won an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist. It was his sixth win in that category, tying him with Stevie Wonder. Watch here:

The Wiz opened at The Majestic Theater in New York City on this day in 1975. Luther penned the triumphant “Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day,” heard in the second act of the show.

Everybody kiss somebody! This Is Christmas was certified Gold by the RIAA on this day in 1995! Listen here:

DID YOU KNOW? Every Luther Vandross studio album between 1981 and 1996 has sold 1 million copies or more. The 11th and final of these albums, Your Secret Love, was certified Platinum by the RIAA 20 years ago today! Listen here:

A little bit of love, laughter and Luther Vandross – now, that’s a great Christmas!

Get into the holiday spirit by listening to this and other Christmas classics on the Certified Christmas playlist! 🎄 https://Certified.lnk.to/CertifiedChristmas

Luther earned a posthumous Gold award from the RIAA on this day in 2005, with the double-disc The Essential Luther Vandross. Who has this one in their CD collection?

Give Me the Reason became Luther’s fifth straight #1 album on the Billboard R&B chart 30 years ago today! What’s your favorite track from this LP? Listen here: