Craig Seymour

As with George Benson, I grew up listening to Luther, but despite his beautiful voice and incredible career (writing, singing and producing for artists like David Bowie, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick), he never really became a household name, which is a shame. This heartfelt biography mourns what the soul singer shouldhave been, as much as what he was - a successful star, plagued with health problems and loneliness. 'Gay but deeply closeted and non-practicing', as one friend termed him, Luther never spoke publicly about his love life, and - remarkably - was never outed by prying journalists or kiss-and-tell lovers. I just wish he could have been found happiness.

Born Luther Ronzoni (after a brand of pasta his mother loved eating during her pregnancy) Vandross, Luther was the type of shy, private man with an amazing talent which brought out his flamboyance on stage that I have a soft spot for. He battled constantly with his weight, in a vicious cycle of comfort eating, ballooning in size and then rigorous dieting, usually to get in shape while promoting a new album, which might have contributed to his early death in 2005. His brother and two sisters also died young, from diabetes and asthma, leaving his poor widowed mother to live on alone for another four years. In his professional life, Luther also faced unhappiness - despite being a gifted singer who sang backing vocals for many famous stars and also recorded countless advertising jingles, his solo career never seemed to take off. He yearned for Grammy awards and number one records, but had a track record of getting pipped at the post. These personal and professional setbacks made him unhappy, and coupled with his perfectionist nature, he was sometimes known to take his grievances out on the artists and musicians who worked with him, earning him a reputation as a 'diva'.

I was surprised by the high drama of Luther's life - two men who worked with him, including his longtime drummer Yogi Horton, committed suicide by throwing themselves out of windows, and the manager brother of Luther's teenage protege Jimmy Salvemini was killed in a car crash for which Luther was accused of vehicular manslaughter! He was later charged with reckless driving. I've never been so shocked while reading a biography!

For all that, Craig Seymour isn't out to seek a scandal (Freddie Mercury biographers take note). He obviously respects Luther's memory, but doesn't hide the less than rose-tinted aspects of the singer's life either.… (altro)