American soul singer Luther Vandross has died at the age of 54, two years after suffering a major stroke.
One of the leading romantic singers of his generation, he sold 25 million albums and won dozens of awards.
Even after his stroke in 2003, he kept recording, winning four Grammys for his final album Dance With My Father.
Tributes from stars such as Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson poured in after his death, at the JFK Medical Centre in New Jersey, was announced.
The singer "had a peaceful passing under the watchful eye of friends, family and the medical support team," said hospital spokesman Robert Cavanaugh.
He did not give the cause of death but said the singer had never fully recovered from the stroke he suffered in his Manhattan apartment in April 2003.
His publicist, Jeff O'Conner, said his death was "a huge loss in the R&B industry".
"He was a close friend of mine and right now it's shocking," he was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
I have amazing memories of seeing Luther live, such a wonderful voice and amazing experience. I am extremely sad
Diane Mitchell, Akrotiri, Cyprus
Send us your tributes
Mr O'Conner said he had received calls of condolence from Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle and Quincy Jones.
Singer Roberta Flack paid tribute to her friend of more than 20 years in a telephone call from Japan.
"He was a musician who couldn't help but give you all he had," she said.
"He was the kind of guy who was born to do what he did musically and let the world know about it. He was not born to keep it smothered in the chest."
Health problems
Born in a housing project in New York, Vandross got his lucky break as a backing singer for Britain's David Bowie in the mid-1970s.
He soon became one of the industry's most popular session singers and vocal arrangers, performing for the likes of Barbra Streisand, Ringo Starr and Chaka Khan.
Vandross had a long battle with his weight fluctuations
His debut solo album came in 1981, and he won his first Grammy in 1990 with the single Here and Now, winning five more the following year with The Power Of Love/Love Power.
He was known for his rich, mellow voice, which harked back to a less explicit era in his songs of romance and desire.
"I'm more into poetry and metaphor, and I would much rather imply something rather than to blatantly state it," he said.
"You blatantly state stuff sometimes when you can't think of a poetic way to say it."
Vandross battled for years with fluctuations in his weight, as well as diabetes and hypertension.
Although he continued to record after his stroke, Vandross made no further public appearances.
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INFO:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4643381.stm
Jun 30, 2010
RangiRoa bLues
Rangiroa seen from a kite
The Blue Lagoon is located on the west coast of the atoll of Rangiroa, French Polynesia. Its name is quite obvious.....
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A great Kite Aerial photography session with some very stable SW wind (15-18 knots). I launched the Fled, even if the wind was a bit too strong, but since it was very stable, I could get a very impressive lift.
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Kite : Fled
Rig : dual camera AutoKAP rig
Cameras : Ricoh GX 200 with wide angle DW6 + GoPro Hero HD
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SUPER SHOT!!!
thankkkkkkkkkkkkkk uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.........
:) )
Jun 29, 2010
Drifting Mind
A selfportrait vs long-exposure experiment.
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:)
thks 4 sharing!!!!
:)))))
Jun 26, 2010
Jun 25, 2010
East Iceland - Stapavík
Stapavík is a cove not far from the mouth of the river Selfljót in the community of Hjaltastaður. Enclosed by rocks, the cove is related to commercial history in the area. In Krosshöfði, between the river and Stapavík, a licensed port was established in 1902 where local farmers subsequently traded. When the harbour in Krosshöfði became inaccessible in the 1930s due to silting, shipping was moved to Stapavík and a hand-turned winch set up. Harbour facilities were never adequate, neither in Krosshöfði nor Stapavík, so all activity ended by 1945. Landing in Stapavík has continued to worsen from silt.
Contact me at: skarphedinn.thrainsson@gmail.com regarding publication requests.
All rights reserved - Copyright © Skarphéðinn Þráinsson
Jun 23, 2010
a bRight bLue daY
a bRight bLue daY
Originally uploaded by *FunKnJazzY*
all about it at:
manuworldweb.blogspot.com/2010/06/bright-blue-t-shirt.html
neW cloThes painTing donE!!
Jun 18, 2010
U... mY poLyneSia!!!
Bora Bora lagoon from the air
Originally uploaded by velvetescape
Bora Bora lagoon from the air.
ohhh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................
Jun 17, 2010
Jun 16, 2010
Jun 11, 2010
Jun 10, 2010
smOOThy Paradise!!!!
I wake at nights dreaming of this wonderful Hale ! This is on the island of Tikihau, Only twelve Hale's .. 300 total living on the island ! I loved it ! A true favorite island to visit for sure..
lovelly shot...thks Greg....
:)))
Jun 8, 2010
Bora Bora
Bora Bora ~ new photos are up!
Originally uploaded by firefly242
Bora Bora, French Polynesia 2010 ~ See new photos and videos on drinkofbeauty.com
A Special place...
A Special Day Indeed ! Happy Birthday My Friend...
Originally uploaded by foto's by greg
Bora Bora .
:))
Jun 7, 2010
Heiva Dance Festival opening ceremony
Heiva Dance Festival opening ceremony
Originally uploaded by Pierre Lesage
The Heiva is a traditional Dance Festival in Tahiti that lasts a few weeks.
Large dance groups coming from the five archiplagoes spend months to prepare for the Heiva; today was the opening ceremony in the "Jardin de Paofai" at sunset.
More details (in french) at www.heivanui.com/
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Kite Aerial Photography - Dan Leigh Delta R8 - AutoKAP- Ricoh GX 200 with wide angle converter.
Wind was OK, light was sometimes very warm, sometimes a bit flat, but flying a Kite with a camera between spectators and coconut trees, over dancers, with dozens of kids was REALLY very challenging and this 90 minutes session was quite stressfull!
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More Here : www.flickr.com/photos/tahitipix/sets/72157624213486778/
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Uploaded by Pierre Lesage on 6 Jun 10, 7.51AM BST.
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