You know, I am not one to follow closely the lives of the famous (or infamous depending on their actions), however I must say that music holds such a dear place in my heart that I often find myself compelled to learn more of those people that I know are both songwriters and singers. For those that know me well, they know that my musical taste is at best "eclectic", never constrained by genre but motivated by whether or not the music/lyrics move the soul and lift the listener. Having prefaced all of this, I am saddened by the passing of
Luther Vandross for their is no question that he longed to elevate those that listened to his music. Surely tonal quality & range have their place (though you wouldn't know it to listen to the likes of Neil Young or Bob Dylan) yet his voice had such an amazing ability to imitate an instrument. One could almost liken it to Miles Davis' trumpet...it simply moved you.
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong, because someday in your life, you will have been all of these.
- George Washington Carver