Luther Vandross dead at 54

Legendary R&B artist Luther Vandross, whose smooth, silky voice gave soul to songs about life, love and relationships, died Friday. He was 54 years old.

The popular crooner suffered a debilitating stroke in April 2003. Even so, his album “Dance With My Father,” co-written with Richard Marx, sold nearly a million copies in its first month of release that June. The album won him four Grammy Awards, half his lifetime total, including song of the year.

Vandross died at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey at 1:47 p.m. ET, surrounded by family, friends and a medical support team, a statement from the hospital said. (full obit)