Luther Vandross gave an intimate interview to Oprah Winfrey in 2004 following his stroke
But his niece, Seveda Williams, tells PEOPLE that she didn’t initially agree with his decision to go through with the appearance.
“He did an Oprah interview, which I wasn’t completely on board with
In the interview, Vandross wears sunglasses and his voice is audibly slurred and slowed, a lingering effect of his stroke on April 16, 2003.
But Vandross had an important message to share, his niece tells PEOPLE, which inspired him to give the interview.
“He just wanted people to know that taking good care of your health is extremely important and that having diabetes is not a joke and having a stroke from it is not either,”
She said about Vandross, who was 54 when he died in 2005.
He “never really recovered” from the stroke, his rep said at the time.
As Williams tells PEOPLE, Vandross “wanted everybody to do what they can to help themselves.”
While Vandross’s stroke was, indeed, debilitating, Williams says that “during that time that he was ill, there was always constant singing going on, not just between he and I,
But all of his friends were coming around.”
“There were rehearsals — [doing] that was kind of a therapy session all the time — having the singers around and just acting like they were preparing for a tour.”
“He was all into that,” she said.
And as Williams previously told PEOPLE, the eight-time Grammy Winner never stopped singing — even in his final days.
“He was singing up to the last minute,” she told PEOPLE about her uncle, whose life story will be told in an upcoming documentary
Produced by Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole Productions and Colin Firth’s Raindog Films.
“I hope people see him as human, a man who had a great career, but a man who lived a life.”
In addition to his inspiring message about the importance of health care and the seriousness of diabetes, Luther Vandross also left a lasting impact on those around him through his love for music.
Despite his debilitating stroke, Vandross continued to sing and create music, using rehearsals as a form of therapy during his illness.
His friends and fellow musicians would gather around, preparing for imaginary tours and keeping the music alive. It was clear that music was a vital part of Vandross’s life, even in his final days.
His niece, Seveda Williams, recalled how he never stopped singing, up until the very end. This dedication to his craft and his passion for music will be highlighted in an upcoming documentary produced by Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole Productions and Colin Firth’s Raindog Films.
Through his music and his unwavering spirit, Vandross showed the world that despite facing challenges and health issues, it is possible to find joy and solace in the things you love.
His legacy as a talented musician and a resilient individual will continue to inspire generations to come. Follow us for more updates and interesting information, as we strive to bring you valuable content to enrich your life.
News
Billy Ray Cyrus Blasts Ex-Wife Firerose in Furious Audio: Dubs Her a ‘Fl’ and ‘Selfish B*tch,’ Accuses Her of Family Destruction, Causing Miley Cyrus to Cut Off Contact
A bitter Billy Ray Cyrus is leaving achy breaks hearts everywhere in his wake after he was caught trashing both estranged wife Firerose and ex-wife Tish Cyrus in a tirade caught on tape and leaked last month. Sources tell RadarOnline.com…
Miley Cyrus Embraces Cheeky Antics with Fans in Front of a Cr0wd
Miley Cyrus Embraces Cheeky Antics with Fans in Front of a Crowd Miley Cyrus gave a sensational show at the “Bangerz” Tour in Washington, D.C., wowing fans with her captivating stage presence and impressive vocals. As the lights dimmed and…
Pants-Free Zone: The Unforgettable Experience of a Miley Cyrus Show
You will never see Miley Cyrus wearing pants during one of her performances.
“Miley Cyrus Goes Bold in LA, Spotted Without Bra and Trousers During Lunch”
Singer Miley Cyrus spotted exiting Wokcano Restaurant in LA
Unbelievable Performance: Miley Cyrus Surprises Fans with Unexpected Prop on Stage
If you missed it, the reigning queen of controversy Miley Cyrus showed up unexpectedly at G-A-Y club night in London over the weekend. The night was filled with topless dancers, a whole lot of profanity, and even a giant inflatable…
“Beach Bliss: Miley Cyrus and Maxx Morando’s Relaxing Getaway in Cabo San Lucas”
She started dating the drummer in November when they were photographed together at the Gucci Love Parade fashion show. Last Saturday, Miley Cyrus was seen soaking up the sun in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, wearing a trendy black swimsuit while…
End of content
No more pages to load