Luther Vandross' new album 'Dance With My Father' debuts at no. 1; his first to debut at top of charts

Jet, July 7, 2003

Luther Vandross' new album, released as he lay in a hospital recovering from a stroke, has 'debuted at No. 1, according to industry figures.

Dance With My Father has sold more than 440,000 copies in its first week of release, marking the first No. 1 album debut for the Grammy winner, whose career spans more than two decades.

The album was released by J Records on June 10, almost two months after Vandross suffered a stroke in has Manhattan home (JET, June 23).

The 52-year-old singer was hospitalized Apri1 17 in critical condition at Weill-Cornell Medical College, barely conscious, and suffered serious setbacks. At one point, he needed a tracheotomy to help him breathe.

Although his condition was grave, family members moved ahead to release Dance With My Father as scheduled. His mother, Mary Ida Vandross, said her son would have wanted his music to be heard and expressed confidence that it would be a success.

The title song is a heartfelt tribute to his father, Luther Sr., who died when Vandross was 7.

His condition has markedly improved recently. Recently, he was moved out of intensive care and his condition was upgraded to stable. He has periods of consciousness, can respond with nods and has started light physical therapy.

The R&B singer has sold more than 20 million albums. He's best known for his romantic ballads, including Here and Now and A House Is Not a Home.

"American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard came in at No. 2 with his Flying Without Wings/Superstar. It sold 285,917 copies. Studdard's rendition of Superstar, which Vandross won notoriety, endeared Studdard in the hearts of millions of Americans who voted him the American Idol (JET, June 9).