Madonna removes image of Luther Vandross from her AIDS tribute (2024)

  • An image of Vandross was shown next to Queen singer Freddie Mercury during Madonna's Sacramento tour stop on Saturday
  • After word of the image surfaced, the late singer his estate reached out to Madonna, who had the image quietly removed
  • Vandross' estate clarified that the singer - who passed away in 2005 at 54, from complications of a 2003 stroke - was never diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV virus

By Brian Gallagher For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Madonna had been paying tribute to artists who have passed away from AIDS during her Celebrations tour, but a recent performance included a surprising inclusion: Luther Vandross.

An image of Vandross was shown next to Queen singer Freddie Mercury during Madonna's Sacramento tour stop on Saturday.

After word of the image surfaced, the late singer - who passed away in 2005 at 54, from complications of a 2003 stroke - his estate reached out to Madonna, who had the image quietly removed.

Vandross' estate clarified that the singer was never diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV virus in a statement.

'Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,' the estate told Page Sixin a statement.

Madonna had been paying tribute to artists who have passed away from AIDS during her Celebrations tour, but a recent performance included a surprising inclusion: Luther Vandross

Vandross' estate clarified that the singer was never diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV virus in a statement

'While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus,' the statement continued.

'We’re not sure where she or her production team received false medical information claiming otherwise,' the statement added.

'We’re currently in contact with her management to remove Luther Vandross from the tribute,' the statement concluded, with the report adding that Madonna did remove the image from the tribute.

The news of Vandross' image being added to the tribute surfaced from an Instagram user named Kevin James Smith, who has been following Madonna on tour.

He had showed a photo of his friend Tommy, who also died of AIDS, during the Seattle show, and he was able to get the photo included in the tribute for the Saturday show in Sacramento.

He posted a video of the tribute, which showed Vandross pictured next to Queen's Freddie Mercury.

That post was noticed by Encyclopedia Madonnica authorMatthew Rettenmund, who posted the image on his Instagram.

'An interesting development at Madonna's Sacramento "Celebration Tour" show Saturday night. Kevin (skymax.music.travel.style) was able to get his late friend Tommy added to the "Live to Tell" AIDS Memorial wall, which is so wonderful,' he began.

That post was noticed by Encyclopedia Madonnica author Matthew Rettenmund, who posted the image on his Instagram

'While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus,' the statement continued

'We’re currently in contact with her management to remove Luther Vandross from the tribute,' the statement concluded, with the report adding that Madonna did remove the image from the tribute

Vandross never publicly came out as gay, though after his death in 2005, friends such a Bruce Villanch and Patti LaBelle confirmed he was gay.

'But sharp-eyed observers also noticed Luther Vandross was suddenly added. Though gay (and closeted to the end), and though Vandross was rumored to have lost weight due to AIDS-related illness, his 2005 death has never been attributed to AIDS complications,' Rettenmund added.

'Not sure why he was added belatedly, but it is an interesting choice. I know a LOT of closeted men attempted to hide their diagnoses even in death (Robert Reed tried, but his death certificate noted AIDS; Liberace — who isn't on the "Live to Tell" wall — asserted he'd lost weight on a watermelon diet),' he added.

Vandross never publicly came out as gay, though after his death in 2005, friends such a Bruce Villanch and Patti LaBelle confirmed he was gay.

The singer also filed a libel lawsuit against a British magazine after it claimed that his 85-pound weight loss was due to AIDS.

Madonna removes image of Luther Vandross from her AIDS tribute (2024)

FAQs

Madonna removes image of Luther Vandross from her AIDS tribute? ›

Madonna removes Luther Vandross photo after his estate objects to inclusion in AIDS tribute. An image of the Grammy-winning R&B and soul singer Luther Vandross has been removed from an AIDS tribute segment during Madonna's Celebration Tour. A representative for Madonna confirmed the move to USA TODAY on Tuesday.

Did Madonna say Luther Vandross died of AIDS? ›

“Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,” a representative for his estate said in a statement to Page Six. “While we appreciate Madonna's recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus.”

What did Luther Vandross pass away from? ›

His last public appearance was on May 6, 2004, on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Vandross died on July 1, 2005, at the JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey, at the age of 54 due to complications of a stroke. Vandross's funeral was held at Riverside Church in New York City on July 8, 2005.

How much was Luther Vandross' estate worth when he died? ›

What is Luther Vandross net worth? The American singer and songwriter had a net worth of approximately $40 million at the time of his death in 2005. At the height of this career, Luther Vandross had become one of the most sought-after vocalists in the music industry, which brought him extensive wealth.

Where is Luther Vandross buried? ›

Why did Madonna remove Luther Vandross? ›

Madonna removes Luther Vandross photo after his estate objects to inclusion in AIDS tribute. An image of the Grammy-winning R&B and soul singer Luther Vandross has been removed from an AIDS tribute segment during Madonna's Celebration Tour. A representative for Madonna confirmed the move to USA TODAY on Tuesday.

How long did Luther Vandross live after his stroke? ›

Stroke. Luther Vandross' death came two years after he had a stroke on April 16, 2003, that left him in a coma for two months, wheelchair-bound and damaged his ability to speak or sing. He also required a tracheotomy.

What nationality was Luther Vandross? ›

Luther Vandross (born April 20, 1951, New York, New York, U.S.—died July 1, 2005, Edison, New Jersey) was an American soul and pop singer, songwriter, and producer whose widespread popularity and reputation as a consummate stylist made him a leading recording artist beginning in the early 1980s.

What was Michael Jackson's cause of death? ›

On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California, at age 50. Jackson's death, which was caused by a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol, an anesthetic, was ruled a homicide. In 2011 Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal doctor, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

What happened to Luther Vandross' mother? ›

She had been hospitalized after suffering several seizures, and was placed in a medically-induced coma in an effort to stop the seizures. However, after being in a coma for seven weeks, Mother Vandross died as a result of complications from encephalitis.

What was Barry White's estate worth? ›

Since White remained technically married to Glodean at his passing, she remained the rightful heir to his $20 million estate. Katherine, despite her long-term relationship as White's partner, was left without any share of the inheritance. Further complicating matters was the fact White was the father of nine children.

How did Luther Vandross lose weight? ›

He called his relationship with food an addiction: "The food had its clutches on me strong enough that it sort of demanded that I ignore reason." In his recent dieting success, Vandross says he has discovered the secret to weight loss. Using a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, he shed 120 pounds.

Who owns Luther Vandross' catalog? ›

Primary Wave Music has acquired a stake in the catalog of Luther Vandross as part of a deal with the iconic R&B star's estate. As part of the partnership, Primary Wave has acquired a stake in Vandross's publishing, master recording income stream, and name and likeness rights.

Did Luther Vandross have an open casket? ›

Crowds queued for up to 10 hours outside a Manhattan funeral chapel to view his closed casket in the first of two days of public visitation. Vandross, 54, died on Friday, two years after suffering a stroke.

Where is Michael Jackson's gravesite? ›

What disease did Luther Vandross died from? ›

“Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,” a rep for the singer's estate reportedly told Page Six. “While we appreciate Madonna's recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus.

Was Luther Vandross on Touched by an Angel? ›

"Touched by an Angel" The Impossible Dream (TV Episode 2002) - Luther Vandross as Reggie Hunter - IMDb.

Who is in charge of Luther Vandross' estate? ›

David Gottlieb, manager of the Luther Vandross Estate, stated, “This unique collection honors Luther Vandross' timeless legacy, beautifully capturing the spirit of his music in each crystal piece.

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