NEW YORK - January 20, 2023 - J Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, are pleased to announce the deluxe digital release of Luther Vandross - Live Radio City Music Hall 2003 - Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition - The Last Concert on Friday, February 10. It may be pre-ordered HERE
A romantic prelude to Valentine's Day 2023, Luther's Radio City rendition of "I'd Rather" (the second #1 Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart-topper from 2001's Top 10 platinum-selling eponymous album) is being released as a single accompanied by an elegant new lyric video (the first-ever created for the song) premiering online today.
Luther Vandross--the award-winning American singer, songwriter, producer and performer whose exquisite tenor vocals combined elements of R&B, pop, soul and indefinable magic while selling millions of records--performed two sold-out shows at New York's fabled Radio City Music Hall on February 11 and 12, 2003. Though his Radio City concerts would be his last--Luther suffered a severe stroke in April 2003 and died July 1, 2005--the artist was at the peak of his powers during these shows and this newly-restored concert recording captures Luther's masterful showmanship, soulful singing, and deep connection to his audience.
J Records released Luther Vandross - Live Radio City Music Hall 2003, an eleven-song edited version of the concert, on October 14, 2003. On the 20th anniversary of Luther's final shows, J/Legacy are releasing an expanded edition featuring the full concert, with the setlist restored to original concert order and Luther's on-stage banter providing insight into his personality, sense of humor and commitment to his audience and his songs.
The expanded 20th anniversary edition of Luther Vandross - Live Radio City 2003 includes the eleven songs from the original release as well as four new tracks--"Power of Love/Love Power," "Going Out of My Head," "Any Day Now," and "Say It Now"--and more.
Luther Vandross came in at #31 on Rolling Stone's most recent 200 Best Singers of All Time List; he was ranked #54 on the magazine's list of 100 Best Singers of All Time in 2008.
