Grammy Museum Set To Open Luther Vandross Exhibit
Dawn Porter’s film, Luther: Never Too Much, isn’t the only way Luther Vandross‘ life and legacy is being celebrated these days.
The Grammy Museum announced earlier this week that Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance, a new exhibit dedicated to the prolific vocalist, opens on Nov. 20 and will run through June 15, 2025.
Vandross’ estate described the exhibit as “a special window into all of Luther Vandross’ talents” such as him being a “singer, of course; but also music producer, live performer, stage craft master, wardrobe designer, and songwriter.” The estate noted, “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.”
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Fans will be able to see glimpses into Vandross’ creative process, catch displays of his notorious stage wardrobe — including original sketches — view archival footage of his studio recordings and see handwritten lyrics and sheet music for “Never Too Much,” and more.
Longtime friend and legendary bassist Marcus Miller gushed over Vandross’ many gifts in a statement.
“It’s incredible that with all the gifted singers out there, Luther was able to carve out his own totally unique space. No one could replicate Luther’s sound, his songwriting genius, or even his covers of other people’s songs,” said Miller. “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.”
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Kelsey Goelz, Curator at the GRAMMY Museum, added, “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. The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to provide fans a close look into his incredible achievements in the studio and onstage.”
The exhibit’s opening coincides with an exclusive screening of Porter’s critically-acclaimed documentary ahead of its 2025 digital release on CNN, OWN, and Max. The film can be seen at AMC theaters for a limited time.
Watch the trailer above.
