Luther Vandross is still missed, all these years later. And now, Google Doodle is paying tribute to someone who is, perhaps, one of the most definitive R&B voices of a generation.
The late singer, who died in 2005, has also been honored with some new certifications from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
His famous record “Dance With My Father” has been certified platinum, as has everyone’s favorite “wedding first dance” song “Here and Now” and “Endless Love,” the cover of the Lionel Richie song of the same name. In addition, “A House Is Not A Home” has been certified gold.
“It is a true reflection of Luther Vandross’ musical legacy around the world to be honored by Google with an animated Doodle that fittingly captures the joy Luther has brought the world,” said the Luther Vandross Estate, in a statement provided to Billboard Magazine about the new Google Doodle. “Luther made each of his songs about one simple, universal subject — love; an emotion and feeling common to the human experience no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you look like. No one else has expressed this emotion in song to the level Luther did for over 35 years, and to have Google broadcast that around the world is a wonderful showcase of his immeasurable talent.”
In recent years, Google Doodle has honored a series of Black heroes, including Carter G. Woodson (known as “The Father of Black History”), civil rights activist Dorothy Height, and baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Best of all, the “Alphabet Company” has also commissioned Black artists to do the drawings, notably giving them opportunities that they’d never had before.
Let us all take a moment to view the custom drawing with some sweet, sweet sounds of Luther’s classic track, “Never Too Much” (which has been remastered in HD), below.
