By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:04 pm:

Tell me it's not true???

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:07 pm:

Has anyone heard anything about (((Luther)))

By BCNYC (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:15 pm:

Yes, Sis, it's true. Rest in peace, brother.

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:16 pm:

THATS WAY TOO BAD IF TRUE!!!...LUTHER...R.I.P.!!!...STUBASS

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:18 pm:

Oh, Luther. I am looking at him right now on BET singing. RIP Luther

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:21 pm:

Source? AP isn't saying anything.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:22 pm:

Another "GREAT ARTIST" leaving us. Such a beautiful voice. This is just too much. It is so hard to believe. Why????????

((((((LUTHER)))))) I LOVE YOU!!!!

By CM Wolff (68.60.191.82) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:25 pm:

http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/LutherVandross/

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:26 pm:

I have not heard anything where did you all hear this? I guess you have sources nothing is on the Internet I hope this is not true but I did read an article in the Washington post that he was being fed intraveonously and that it didnt look good,,
Stephanie

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:28 pm:

DAMN IT !!!! Im sorry you all..I got carried away...
Stephanie

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:41 pm:

Thank you CM Wolff!!

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:59 pm:

Well Sony wouldnt put something up like that if it wasnt true....My mother just called 30 minutes ago and saw something flashing at the bottom of the screen saying Luther is still in critical condition but stable and then I saw this so Im not really shocked...the Sony Execs were very quiet about his condition and I can understand why they were....well Luther RIP you will be missed..
Stephanie

By Thommygirl_70 (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:04 pm:

wait...I"m confused?? Did that website say that Luther has passed away? Am I overlooking something. I just went there and I didn't see anything. Please say that this isn't so.....

By medusa9e (66.73.13.203) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:04 pm:

...WHAT ?????????????????????????????

Luther..left us?, and all 2 soon, but his creator knows best, he's not suffering anymore and I bet the angels will B glad 2 have him join them N song~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~may the heavens' rejoice 2 welcome him home, 2 live N his new mansion that his Lord has prepared 4 him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~He Will B Missed~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:07 pm:

The web site said (1951-2003).

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:10 pm:

The Site also wrote"

"Our hearts and prayers are with Luther Vandross' family, friends and fans. He will be profoundly missed."

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:18 pm:

SisDetroit,
What website are you alluding to?

I am just stunned, did not anticipate the worse that could possibly happen, now can't fully express words... that he, is no longer with us???

By Thommygirl_70 (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:26 pm:

Oh my goodness!! I see it now. When I looked before for some reason that wasn't there. I can't believe it I feel so bad....wow. I'm speechless.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:28 pm:

How come Reuters or AP hasnt said anything yet?
Stephanie
Oh by the way Sisdetroit I was not questioning your sources either I know you wouldnt post anything like that unless you heard it from a good source I just wanted you to know that no disrespect was meant....especially in this time of mourning..

By Thommygirl_70 (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:28 pm:

Jim Feliciano its his sony website the one that cm wolf put here in this thread. the url is: http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/LutherVandross/

Again, rip Mr. Luther Vandross...I need some time to think about this.

By medusa9e (66.73.13.203) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:29 pm:

check out the website at:
www.sonymusic.com/artists/LutherVanDross/

Let's check it out.................

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:30 pm:

I'm sorry to learn of this. He will be missed by many. We've lost another great.

By Thommygirl_70 (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:32 pm:

yes, i haven't seen anything mentioned yet either. I was watching Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood tonight and I didn't see it on there. I wonder if it just happened this evening as opposed to this morning or afternoon. I have to give props to sony for putting it on the website for his fans before anyone else has.

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:34 pm:

I am very, very depressed about this one..

RIP Luther...

Thank you for the music Sir

Vickie

By medusa9e (66.73.13.203) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:35 pm:

..but Y isn't it on any other news yet???

This is serious, not a game, and I really hope it's not some kind of hoax, just 2 get everyone
upset, or just 2 C how far it (if it's a rumor) can go.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
??????????????????

By Mr. Magic (143.132.234.227) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:39 pm:

This is unbelieveable, I am speechless right now. So man People are leaving us. My prayers go out to Luther Vandross and his family.

Looks like heaven has another memebr to add to its heavenly choir.

RIP

By medusa9e (66.73.13.203) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:40 pm:

I don't mean 2 offend anyone, maybe I'm N denial, but I have 2 C it on World News or something like that...or something, I don't know right now

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:41 pm:

Early today, an FM radio station reported that Luther had passed.

This evening a different radio station said Luther is in a deep coma.

So there are reasons why information has not been fully broadcast.

By Soul Sister (65.43.153.219) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:41 pm:

God Bless Luther...Thanks for all the beautiful music. Rest in Love & Peace...

By Lucy (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:47 pm:

I'm not seeing it anywhere....I am SHOCKED,to say the least.

By Sad (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:49 pm:

the above link is not working anymore...could this be pre-mature info..
I can't find it anywhere..

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:51 pm:

(((LUTHER))) Come on back. Luther, miracles happen every day.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:08 pm:

Thank you, Thommygirl_70,
I just read the sad news, it's official now... Luther Vandross is dead.

Having left, your spirit has moved on to your reward, but your 'voice' remains here with us, always in 'song'... and it's here, always, that you shall remain in our hearts.

Luther Vandross, forever rest in peace.... Thursday, May 1, 2003.

By SoniT (68.48.6.147) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:14 pm:

I don't think he's dead. I think it's a rumor. I haven't seen any other reports of Luther's passing. I pray that this is not true.

By fayette (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:17 pm:

wondering why i havn't seen it on the news.

By Lucy (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:17 pm:

I still can't find it anywhere.

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:22 pm:

why would Sony announce that on their site??

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:25 pm:

its' no where on the web that I can find...
The Sony link is not working, maybe too many people are accessing it right now...

I'm sure we'll know for sure very soon...

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:27 pm:

UPN Detroit News - reported that they called the hospital to find out Luther's condition. The hospital reported that Luther is still battling pneumonia.

By Thommygirl_70 (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:27 pm:

you're right the link isn't working now. I wonder what's going on? I guess time will tell. I do hope it's not true. We will see...

By : (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:30 pm:

((((((prayers for Luther)))))))

Sony may have messed this up big time

By : (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:31 pm:

((((((prayers for Luther)))))))

may have been announced too soon on the Sony site..

sad

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:32 pm:

I'm also beginning to wonder. The sony site goes to www.luthervandeross.com which only talks about how ill he is, with no mention on CNN or the Associated Press site. Is anyone signed up on that site, and if so, is there more information inside that I can't access?
Talking to my brother Gorgon tonight, and I didn't realise until he told me, that Luther (along with about half of Philly soul) backed up David Bowie on "Young American".

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:34 pm:

Hey anything can happen!!! Luther may come back we have heard of things like this happening before maybe they told Sony he took a turn for the worse and then turned around. I cant see Sony making a mistake like this!!!!
Stephanie
PS Maybe he was pronounced dead and the Lord sent him back anything can happen!!!

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:36 pm:

the CNN site has nothing yet

By SoniT (68.48.6.147) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:37 pm:

Why would Sony put something like that on their website without confirmation??? It's really weird.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:40 pm:

Well, Sony can't say they didn't publish that information. I printed that article to give to my neice.

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:42 pm:

Does anyone in NY have the scoop...
is it on any local news there?

I am very sad about this news - Period

By publicimageltd. (67.192.93.227) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:44 pm:

not only backed him up, but did the vocal arrangements and toured with him. Vandross' vocal group "Luther" were Bowie's backing vocalist and opening act on Bowie's "Philly Dogs" tour that played for 6 nights at the Michigan Palace (Theatre) in October 74. I also have a bootleg recording of Todd Rundgren (D. Hall's alter-ego) in London in 76 with Vandross doing backing vocals.

Thank's for the spelling error Doug. I owe you.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:48 pm:

COME ON LUTHER. WE KNOW YOU ARE FIGHTING. WE ARE PRAYING WITH YOU. COME ON THROUGH. WAKE UP LUTHER!!!!!!

(My brother was in a 10 day coma with machines working his vital organs. I had the nurses to continue to play the Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers and Yanni during those days and nights. He pulled through. That's been 4 years ago. He is still listening to the Soul Stirrers. He won't listen to Yanni because he says when he woke up to reality, all the nurses talked about was Yanni. LOL )

By nancy (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:51 pm:

I cannot believe this I have been out all day Luther our prayers are with you keep fighting

By lllegal2003 (68.42.89.162) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:04 pm:

Hello beautyful people Luther is still with us we can now rest our heart

By lllegal2003 (68.42.89.162) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:07 pm:

I'm sorry I just seen the channel 4 news and got the anwser we all have been looking for he is still with us and that's a good thing

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:14 pm:

I don't think Sony would put anything negative as such, on the Luther Vandross site, only if the (terrible) news was detrimental to the news, and that it has been confirmed.

But then I recall the Vandross 'rumors' abounded last summer here in Detroit (or, was that the summer before last), that Luther Vandross had 'reportedly' had passed away, but naturally, that turned out to be a very false rumor.

But again, I don't think SONY would be so irresponsible to place Luther Vandross's passing online, I'm sure that they had obtained some verified confirmation to the effect.

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:19 pm:

WHAT THE F*@K IS GOING ON???...

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:20 pm:

Let's say a prayer tonight for Luther Vandross, that he may be allowed to remain with us one more time....

Let us all pray tonight, that this is not true at all!

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:22 pm:

I guess we'll know for sure soon....
Sony says he passed, TV news and radio says he didn't..
it's no where on the news here in LA that I have seen yet...
it's upsetting for those of us that saw the Sony site....

By Stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:27 pm:

I'm checking with someone I know who works for Luther here in NY. As soon as I get word, I will post it here.
Is there any way someone can e-mail me the page that Sony had up?

4topsjim@optonline.net

thanks!
Jim

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:36 pm:

Hey Jim,
That particular SONY / Luther Vandross webpage served us all, who had seen it, like it was an obituary notice--but now it is no longer there, like it had been surreptitiously pulled-- no further information was given!

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:57 pm:

HEY JIM: I APPRECIATE YOUR SENTIMENTS AND I'M SURE THAT WE ALL WOULD PRAY THAT LUTHER PULLS THROUGH AND REJOINS US AS WE HAVE KNOWN HIM IN THE PAST...BUT SOMETIMES...IT IS BETTER FOR ONE TO FIND THEIR PEACE IN PASSING ON...THAN TO BE LEFT IN A STATE OF DISCOMFORT AND THE FRUSTRATING INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE OR CONTROL ONE'S PHYSICAL CONDITION!!!...IF THAT'S THE CASE...THAN LET LUTHER...OR ANYONE IN THAT STATE...FIND THE PEACE THEY SEEK IN THE NEXT LIFE!!!...IF THERE IS A CHANCE THAT HE CAN BE RETURNED TO A CONDITION WHERE HE CAN ENJOY HIS QUALITY OF LIFE TO SOME EXTENT...THEN HOPEFULLY...MEDICAL SCIENCE WILL DO WHAT IT CAN!!!...PEACE...STUBASS

By Funkyone D J Dollar BILL (216.221.81.96) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 12:13 am:

It seems to be a case of writting in advance,just like all the major news agencies have pre written obits for celebrities and world figures.Someone with a itchy keyboard finger,seems to have jumped the gun.I'm sure they want to have the most up to date web site.This is a difficult time for all of us and I too hope for a miracle.Whether or not he sings again is not the most important thing,I just hope he regains his health.

By Marv (152.163.188.68) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 12:25 am:

There hasn't been anything reported on the local news stations here in New York.

By Sad (198.81.26.231) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 12:26 am:

and the DJ's read that site and announced it on the radio - that's just horrible....

By medusa9e (66.73.5.127) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 07:49 am:

Hello Gang!

I've contacted a New Station N my area, and Luther is N a Coma, but still with us so far.
Y N the world would anyone start something like this. I should've noticed how the report was written. It's as if it was added on. This was uncalled 4...the sad thing is when U do these kind of things, sometimes they BACK*FIRE.
Death wishing on someone, anyone is NOT nice folks.

By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 08:05 am:

Everything I'm getting on my end points to Luther still being alive, thank God.
Unfortunately, it's been my experience that coverups are rampant in these cases, until things are announced officially.
I guess we'll know when there's something to know.
But I DO agree with Stu.....if its time for Luther to go Home, then that's where he'll be better off. All we'd be able to do in that case would be to celebrate his life.
Let's hope for whatever's best for Luther.

By Lucy (152.163.188.68) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 08:33 am:

I have looked everywhere and there is nothing.I'm in New York and none of the major news stations have said a thing.
I do agree with you STU that if all his quality of life is gone,than God should take him home.
I do feel that being he was 2 days without medical help,and being unresponsive,now a trach.
that God took him home the day it happened.

By Common (209.2.55.169) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 09:02 am:

Hello everyone,

I, too, live in the NY area & have heard no more info on Luther's condition. And don't know why Sony (???) would post such erroneous info. Matter of fact, isn't Luther on J Records? I would think that they have a site & would keep the public update on his condition. Don't count Luther out yet. I don't want him to suffer either but we can never tell what happen. I guess I'm keeping hope alive.

Peace!

By count (65.60.201.174) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 09:22 am:

HEY DETROITERS,on yesterdays channel 7even 6ix oclock news they said LUTHER had passed.I've been trying to get through to them as a cofirmation on this.They said it happened in N.Y.
I will call PETE MOORE in VEGAS latter today,as I'am sure he would know.The last time I talked to PETE he said he was doing some work with LUTHER.
Lets flood channel 7even's switchboard with calls and ask why it was even announced.
COUNT

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 10:37 am:

He still needs our prayers and positve energy..if they had the obit ready he must be pretty sick..

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 10:42 am:

Folks:
I have some friends who work at J Records. Let me make a phone call or two and if I find out anything I'll let you all know.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By SoniT (209.193.174.164) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 10:42 am:

I'm going to continue to pray for Luther. I think it was VERY careless for Sony to put a death notice on the website without getting a definite confirmation. That's terrible.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 12:30 pm:

Hey those of you in the media just so we know for the future...when a celeb has passed who do the news sources go to or how does it get out on the wire. When Reuters or AP gets something its usually official!!! I would like to know who notifies them the doctors or the family or the hospital administrator they have to find out some kind of way and who gets the news first and then where does it go.....? I have always wondered this and for radio stations and Sony to have announced this about our man Luther someone said something whether it was true or false..
Thanks
Stephanie

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 01:29 pm:

Hey Stephanie,
Usually AP or Reuters...
but his record company was legit also in doing that yesterday, I know When Maurice Gibb died and other as well it was the web-sites that were one of the first to announce it...
I know that press folk have obits ready ....someone, somewhere messed up....

this just my 2 cents, I worked in PR for many years so I know they have stuff ready..
that's why I hope Luther is ok....

He's in my thoughts and prayers

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 04:32 pm:

I called a friend who works with Luther and he said that as far as he knows, he is still alive. He is in grave condition but is still with us. There is concern that he is close to being brain dead... but we cannot plan for God. We all need to pray really hard.

By Sly fan (64.169.104.84) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 04:44 pm:

I dont trust websites for nothing..the press even less..


Lets keep Luther in our prayers...


WE LOVE YOU LUTHER!! God is protecting you.

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 05:43 pm:

An apology to my brother.
It's gorDon, not a snake haired mythical syren.
Even, bro?

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 05:48 pm:

www.luthervandeross.com has added a line to it's page today that says something to the effect that "....the friends and family of Luther thank you for your prayers and letters. We will make sure Luther reads every word..."

I'm going to assume by that that Mr. Vandeross is still with us. God bless him.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 07:05 pm:

USUALLY IT COMES DOWN TO JUST ONE PERSON WHO GATHERS NEWS OR "MANS" A NEWS DESK... AND THAT PERSON SHOULD CHECK WITH AT LEAST TWO LEGITIMATE SOURCES BEFORE PUBLISHING ANY INFORMATION IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION!!!...REMEMBER THE BOB HOPE THING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO...WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED ON THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT BOB HOPE HAD DIED???...REMEMBER "ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN"...AND ALL THE TROUBLE THAT WOODWARD AND BERNSTEIN HAD IN OBTAINING ADDITIONAL SOURCES SO THAT THEY COULD PUBLISH THEIR STORIES???...SOME "NEWS" AND MEDIA PEOPLE GET A STRING OF RELIABLE STORIES...THEN BEGIN TO ASSUME THAT ALL OF THEIR SOURCES ARE LEGITIMATE...GO TO SLEEP AT THE SWITCH...AND THEN START FIRING FROM THE HIP!!!...THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM...BUT THINK OF YOUR OWN JOBS...AND THE THINGS THAT SLIDE BY WITHOUT AN ENTIRE NATION WATCHING YOU!!!...THAT IS WHY THESE THINGS HAPPEN...AND WHY JOURNALISM HAS A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK AND RECHECK THEIR INFORMATION!!!...STUBASS...FORMER "NEWS" SCOOP...

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 07:09 pm:

ALSO...NEWS IS A BUSINESS...AND IN THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS...IT "PAYS" TO BE FIRST!!!...THATS WHY CERTAIN NEWS ORGANIZATIONS LIVE BY THE MOTTO..."NEVER LET THE "FACTS" STAND IN THE WAY OF A "GOOD STORY"!!!...

By rockfan (67.24.158.58) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 10:34 pm:

What air head at Sony would put something like that on the internet??????????????? Surely, they'd verify their facts first. If not, what kind of idiots ARE at Sony???????????

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 09:45 am:

That little 'postscript' the Sony website had put out 'officially' announcing the passing of this great (present day) R&B singer, that window was actually there for the world to see, albeit for only a brief time.

Consequently, it was the most erroneous, the most callous, insensitive premature 'annoucement' displayed, for the anticipated worse one could ever say about anyone as though it did happened... I for one, as were many others, were mislead to believe that it had occurred.

And I don't mean to 'drudge' on this any further, but Sony, first and foremost, owes the Vandross family and all his fans (online) due proper explanation for this terrible miscalculation on their part, having posted as such, then rescinded by Sony Music on the Vandross website, pulled after the fact... like it was never posted there (online, where we saw it) in the first place.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 03:33 pm:

One thing I found out from someone (and I didnt know this) is that when a person is close to death they start to prepare the Obit...I dont know if you all remember this but I remember seeing years ago in the NEWSPAPERS that Abe Vigoda had died and my mom saw it too and I also remember reading that Carlos Santana had died in a car crash 10 years ago!!! I knew I wasnt crazy because a couple of weeks later I jumped when I was watching the Tonight Show and out comes Abe Vigoda and he told the audience Im not dead!!!
He said he doesnt know where those rumors got started.....

I cant think of his name right now (shame on me I know it like the back of my hand) the guy who plays Grady on Sanford and Son. People thought he had died and Jay Leno hunted him down and voila he was still alive...he is dead though now RIP Grady!!!! He was on Jay Leno and people assumed he was gone..
Stephanie

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 03:37 pm:

WHITMAN MAYO WAS GRADY,GOOD POINTS STEPH.

By Linda Di. (66.24.93.80) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 03:41 pm:

In defense Sony -- Perhaps whoever was typing up the information on Luther hit the key too quickly. (We know that every media outlet has his obituary ready, just in case.) I, for one, have sent out many an email and realized it was either to the wrong person or to a group rather than one person, and I know that every person on this forum has done the same thing at least once!!!! And I manage our website at work, and more than once, posted something that wasn't ready. And when you realize it and say "oh s..t" to yourself and redo it (because the back key doesn't do the trick), you pray nobody saw it. Some poor chump at Sony (like me at my job) probably did the same thing. They cleared it up quickly. I don't think there was any evil intent here. Just my thoughts on this sad situation.

By Soul Sister (65.43.153.219) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 04:28 pm:

The media had Jimmy Scott dead a couple of times, once it was even printed in Jet Magazine back in 1965. It's sad that these horrendous mistakes are made and upsetting to alot of people.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 05:03 pm:

Thanks for the info Linda..if the person did make a mistake I feel for them..
Stephanie

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 05:10 pm:

The Detroit Free Press / Saturday, May 3, 2003
John Smyntek's
NAMES AND FACES

==================================================

CHANNEL 7 NEWS BOSS
BLASTS VANDROSS REPORT [article]


The fire and brimstone was in evidence at (Detroit) WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) in the aftermath of Thursday's mistaken report that LUTHER VANDROSS had died after suffering a stroke. Broadcast on Thursday's early evening newscast, it was corrected on the station's 10 p.m. Channel 50 effort and it's own 11 p.m. newscast. But news director BILL CAREY, out of town when it happened, issued a memo that scorched.

Some excepts:

"We sincerely apologize to Mr. Vandross, his family, friends, fans, and our viewers. We were wrong, and we should have never allowed what we had on the air.... We heard from someone in the entertainer's camp that the hospital had reported that Mr. Vandross had passed away. Of course, we now know that was false. Nevertheless, we began making calls, and confirmed the story with yet another source in the record business. With that double confirmation, we made a decision to publish. As you now know, we were horribly wrong.
Clearly, that effort was not only not enough, but misguided.

"In the case of reporting deaths, please keep in mind that we are not only an aggressive news organization, but a compassionate one as well. As such, we wait to gain confirmation from a hospital, direct family member or family spokesperson.

"...The executive producer of a newscast has the final say over whether to broadcast a story or not, and when uncertain, seeks his peers or higher management. One of the compounding problems was that we treated the 7 o'clock news in a group-managing fashion last night. When everyone is in charge, no one is in charge."


[End of 5/3/2003 Detroit Free Press article]

By WOW (198.81.26.231) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 05:33 pm:

WOW!!

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 05:41 pm:

you guys know what,people were saying luther was dead and the man was still performing and
touring.that is a inhumane thing to say
if the person is alive,and also disrepectful.
a co-worker of mine had seizures she didn't
take her medication and slipped into a coma,
she came out spend time in a rehabilation
center and was back at work. we have to
remember god always have the final word.so
we just have to keep praying for luther.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 05:59 pm:

Fayette,

With an abiding faith, yes, there is hope, and then when all else seems hopeless, then... there is the 'power' of prayer.

In my home, I was always taught there is nothing which is impossible for those who really believe in Him.

Together as one, let us all continue to be 'strong' in faith for Luther Vandross... at a time when he really needs us to be there for him, in God's care, and, in prayer....

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 07:42 am:

...Amen.

By quettalove (160.145.18.62) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 12:27 pm:

GOD as all these prayers to oup for Luther, please grant him the opportunit to sing for all those who use him as a guide in their livesand those who listen with love in their hearts. Luther VandRoss has been an inspiration to the entire nation. The sonngs that you have place in his heart so that the world can unite together, came together as one. GOD I ask you to take him under your wings and bring him back to his mother and all of us who love him so dearly. Please hear and answer all prayers. AMEN.

Than you Luther VaDross number 1 fan.
Chiquetta

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 11:05 pm:

A sad commentary,
that I prematurely had annouced the passing of Luther Vandross, previously, on this thread based on information some of us had culled off of the internet at that time, namely the source for that (premature) 'obit' was in actuality, Sony Music, who made the insensitive and false annoucement to many (shocked and stunned) fans (as was I) on their very own Luther Vandross website he passed away.

So let us be much aware and vigilant not to take the media for granted, and I learned my lesson, for all that it's worth.

Now I want to bring to your attention up to speed-- how the media continues to play into such premature death announcements, here another one similar to the Vandross 'passed away' story, but instead this time it was about the sudden 'death' of a U.S. Senator, which was false... and it's all too unbelievably real... check out the story on this one, right along here:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/doc_o_day/doc_o_day.shtml

By Sue (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 11:20 pm:

Jim,
I must point out that it's usually radio that spreads false rumors -- they had poor Luther "dead" several years ago, every six months!

The Sony website mistake has been overblown. It was probably an accidental slip of the hand by a programmer. It could only be called insensitive if somebody did it on purpose, which is highly doubtful.

As has been pointed out here before, if you don't see the wire services (AP, Reuters etc.) pick something up and it comes from a website or (sorry), radio, wait a bit before believing it.