Cody
Williams
The Beatification of Luther Vandross
A long line formed early in the day around Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem where thousands came to witness a musical tribute to Luther Vandross, the soulful 'singer of songs.' Many were turned away after standing hours in the 90 degree heat.
Luther was born on New York's lower east side and the tribute in the heart of the city's black community seemed more than fitting. Harlem and Luther are important cultural icons in Black America.
His long time musicians were there, as were his backup singers. An array of musical talent paid homage by singing some of Luther's more popular songs: “Superstar”, “Endless Love”, “The Power of Love” and others. Their intentions were heartfelt even if they could not stoke the crowd as Luther would have. Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother, sang a gospel tribute that moved some in the mostly female, mostly middle-aged crowd to tears. Hip Hop artist Jahiem sang “A House is Not a Home" to the delight of the younger folks in the packed church.
Profoundly absent, however, was Luther Vandross, who died July 1, 2005 while rehabilitating from the stroke he suffered two years ago.
Abyssinian’s pastor, the Rev. Calvin Butts, reflected on the connection between the many references in the Bible to Love and how the predominate theme in Luther's body of musical accomplishments centered on issues of Love.
”Faith, hope and love abide,” Rev. Butts read from 1st Corinthians chapter 13. “But the greatest of these, is Love.”
Love is the one thing that when absent its profoundness is more intensely evident. Luther will be missed.
Earthy singer Erykah Badu shared with the crowd her experiences growing up and listening to her parents make up, and ostensibly, make love to Luther Vandross' singing.
When the crowd filled in for the absent crooner as his band played the song “Here and Now,” I remembered reading that at one time it was the number one song performed at weddings held in the US with its “promise to love faithfully."
I recalled myself once walking away from ineffective couple's counseling and heeding Luther's advice to "don't be a fool ever again." That song and the album it was on helped me through a particularly devastating bout with heartache. Other folks I talked to in the audience had similar experiences.
Michael Baisden, a popular radio talk show host on KISS FM here in New York invited his listeners to call in and talk about how the artistry of Luther Vandross touched their lives. The airwaves were flooded with stories of love, marriage, intimacy, conception, birth, breakups, make-ups, counseling and shared heartache.
Luther Vandross sang songs of our heart. Luther Vandross was a minister of love. Because of this, I propose that he be canonized.
Don't laugh. I'm serious. It makes as much sense as elevating to sainthood any other person, doesn't it? Exactly how are saints chosen? And who makes that decision anyway? Aren't we all really saints? We as a distinctly unique culture need to define life on our own terms. Create our own realities. Set our own standards. Those who set the standards define success in this world, and any world to come. Hell, who coroneted Elvis 'King'?
So, Saint Luther Vandross he should be.
St. Luther Vandross.
This assures that his sultry voice and unique style will preside over matters of the heart and love for generations to come. And three hundred years from now no one but ardent scholars will know that the road to sainthood for St Luther and St Thomas Aquinas had different origins.
Please visit http://www.stluther.com to show your support.
© 2005 Cody Williams
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