The GRAMMY Museum will celebrate the legendary career of Luther Vandross with a new exhibit, Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance, opening on Nov. 20, 2024, in partnership with Primary Wave Music and the Luther Vandross Estate. Vandross, an eight-time GRAMMY winner, captivated audiences as a revered songwriter, arranger, producer, performer, and one of the most gifted vocalists in music history.

Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance offers an intimate glimpse into Vandross' creative process, showcasing his ornate stage wardrobe, exclusive performance footage from his popular tours, and a never-before-heard recording of him in the studio. The exhibit opens with an exclusive screening of the feature documentary Luther: Never Too Much, directed by award-winning director Dawn Porter. 

Produced by Raindog Films and Foxxhole Productions for Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing, in association with Trilogy Films, the documentary will later premiere on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and Max in 2025. Attendees of the opening night will also enjoy a panel discussion with the filmmakers and a sneak peek at the exhibit.

Tickets for the opening will be available starting Thursday, Oct. 31, and the exhibit will run until June 15, 2025.

In conjunction with the exhibit, Vandross' previously unreleased soulful rendition of the Beatles' "Michelle" is available now, and it will be featured on Never Too Much: Greatest Hits, a new compilation set to release on Dec. 13.

Luther Vandross first captured the spotlight in the 1970s as a sought-after backup singer, collaborating with luminaries such as David Bowie, Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, and Carly Simon. As a solo artist, he became renowned for his relatable lyrics about love and mesmerizing live performances, characterized by dynamic bands, elaborate stage designs, and striking custom costumes worn by his background singers. Vandross achieved remarkable success, charting a Top 10 R&B hit every year from 1981 to 1994 and releasing 11 consecutive platinum records, with over 40 million albums sold worldwide.

"The Luther Vandross Estate is excited to be sharing Luther's musical legacy with the GRAMMY Museum and its visitors through this upcoming exhibit. It is a special window into all of Luther Vandross' talents — singer, of course; but also music producer, live performer, stage craft master, wardrobe designer, and songwriter. Showcasing all of these amazing elements of Luther the artist via the long-cherished possessions of his personal archives is a treat for die-hard fans and new ones," the Luther Vandross Estate said in a statement.

Marcus Miller, a longtime collaborator, added that Vandross carved out "his own totally unique space" among other talented vocalists. "No one could replicate Luther's sound, his songwriting genius, or even his covers of other people's songs," Miller continued. "Luther was a complete and utter perfectionist with a very specific vision of how he wanted things to be. His shows were theatrical masterpieces, and Luther was involved in every detail of their production: his vocals, his background singers' harmonies, their choreography, and even his background singers' gowns. The gown beading had to be exquisite and authentic. The furs had to be real. I would say, 'Luther, no one's gonna know if the furs are real!!' To which he would reply: 'I will know!'

"That was part of the magic of Luther, his unyielding commitment to excellence. It was truly an honor to have worked with my friend and big brother, Luther Vandross," Miller said in a statement,

"Luther Vandross is a cherished icon who defined the smooth, jazz-inspired era of R&B and whose timeless love songs have graced countless weddings, graduations, and family reunions for the past several decades," added Kelsey Goelz, Curator at the GRAMMY Museum. "The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to provide fans a close look into his incredible achievements in the studio and onstage."

Exhibit highlights include:

  • Hand-beaded suits and jumpsuits worn by Vandross and his background singers during the Power of Love Tour in 1991.

  • An emerald green hand-beaded suit and two matching gowns worn by Vandross' background singers, alongside Vandross' black tuxedo from his 1993-94 performances.

  • Original fashion sketches of Vandross' tour wardrobe.

  • Handwritten lyrics and studio notes for "I Can Make It Better," featuring an exclusive recording of Vandross crafting the song.

  • Handwritten lyrics and original sheet music for several of Vandross' hits, including "Think About You" and "Never Too Much."

  • Six of Vandross' eight GRAMMY Awards.

For tickets and more information on Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance, visit grammymuseum.org.