Searching for Luther Vandross---Musical Genius

My father would drag( and I mean literally drag my brothers and I) to Westbury Music Fair to see Mr. Luther Vandross every time he came to Long Island. My Dad would talk incessantly about the musical genius of Luther, vocal styling, riffs in music, backup singers, arrangement in music and the ultimate showman Mr. Vandross turned out to be. I was very young and didn't quite understand what was going on, but I enjoyed the music and perhaps knew the song lists a little to much. But, not as much as my father--because it never grew old with him. Now, as an adult, I so appreciate his music and every time I hear a tune--I think of my deceased Father. It brings back so many good memories, I didn't have the heart to tell my Dad--that his music icon was a Gay Man--just like me. I'm not sure if this would have crushed him or maybe he knew and this helped him resolve his feelings towards me. Anyway, Mr. Vandross has influenced millions of listeners with and along the way created a new generation of babies.

Sadly, Luther is no longer with us, but his life and music lives on. Why is there no biopic on Mr. Vandross? I would pay good money to see it and sing along with all those songs--just like Dad did for all those wonderful years.

Billy Strayhorn-Musical Legend

Mr. William Thomas Strayhorn

Recently, I attended a Lena Horne tribute in my community and the guest vocalist mentioned that Billy Strayhorn was Lena's best friend and according to legend Ms. Horne died with a picture of Billy clutched to her bosom. Wow, Ms. Horne a heterosexual woman loving an closeted Gay Man was truly a deep friendship without boundaries. I have to admire Mr. Strayhorn, whose sexuality seeped through his soul while producing some of the best music in history for an audience that didn't care about circulated rumors of his homosexuality.

Mr. Strayhorn was an accomplished pianist, composer, arranger and the ultimate side kick of Duke Ellington.

Mr. Ellington hired the young Strayhorn and didn't exactly know where to place him, but eventually Mr. Strayhorn became a vital member of the band. The similarities of their styles soon begin to manifest and it became difficult to discern where one's style ended and the other's begin.

The jazz composition, "Take the A Train" was both a hit with audiences and one of the best collaborations in jazz. It was often said the Mr. Strayhorn didn't receive his just due. Why is it always the Gay Man that gets the shaft or maybe many audiences weren't ready to deal with a close knit friendship between a straight and gay man in the world of music. My, the times haven't changed much.

Why haven't we seen or heard of biopic of Mr. Strayhorn and all of his endeavors? I'm ready to hear the full story and not just pieces of it--in other peoples biographies. Mr. Strayhorn thou art in jazz heaven, send us a sign of your enduring qualities and let us tell the magnificent truth about your incredible life. Amen!