Ruben Studdard and Luther Vandross. An American Idol winner and Grammy Award nominee meets an eight time Grammy Award winner who’s sold more than 35 million records.
While Luther might be gone, his memory and music live on in “Ruben Studdard Sings Luther Vandross,” Friday, October 25, at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora.
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More about “Ruben Studdard Sings Luther Vandross.”
Luther Vandross was considered to be one of the best singers of all time. And no other voice comes closer to him than Ruben Studdard. The “Velvet Teddy Bear,” as music legend Gladys Knight dubbed Studdard, sends chills through bodies and sets souls afire when he belts out the songs of the unmatched and unparalleled Luther Vandross.
Imagine the vocals and music performed like Luther performed them live in concert, including hits like “A House is Not a Home,” “Never Too Much,” “Superstar” and so many more. “Ruben Studdard Sings Luther Vandross” is the closest you’ll get to a live Luther show.
Studdard rose to fame in 2003 as season two winner of American Idol, besting runner-up Clay Aiken and earning the accolade “The Next Luther Vandross.” Studdard’s historic American Idol win was quickly followed by a 2003 Grammy Award® nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Superstar.”
In the years following, Studdard has released seven studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, “Soulful,” and the top-selling gospel follow-up, “I Need an Angel.” His recording career has produced hits including “Flying Without Wings,” “Sorry 2004” and “Change Me,” but he has also segued into TV and stage work.
He toured with Robin Givens in “I Need a Hug” and starred as Fats Waller in the 2008 national tour of “Ain’t Misbehavin,” which spawned a Grammy®-nominated soundtrack. He is signed to Verve Records, the label for his albums “Unconditional Love” and “Ruben Sings Luther,” released in 2018. For more, visit rubensingsluther.com.
Luther Vandross was a musical master whose style has influenced an entire generation of today’s vocalists. His distinctive brand of satin smooth vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people to this day. From his introduction to the world as a singer on the first season of PBS’s Sesame Street in 1969 to winning four Grammy Awards in 2004, Vandross was a permanent and dynamic force in popular music. For almost 25 years, from 1981 to 2005, Vandross dominated the American R&B music charts like no other artist before or since, releasing eight #1 R&B albums, seven #1 R&B singles and another five Top 20 R&B singles.
He achieved crossover status with eight Billboard Top 10 albums, including reaching #1 with 2003’s “Dance With My Father,” and another five Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles. From 1981 to 1996, he released 11 consecutive platinum/double platinum albums. At the time of his passing in 2005, 13 of Luther’s 14 studio albums had gone platinum or multi-platinum. Overall, Luther received 31 Grammy Award nominations, winning eight times. Additionally, Luther won eight American Music Awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist seven times. For more, visit luthervandross.com.
Tickets are $39-$49. Group discounts available. For tickets and information, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre box office, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
