Shamma - for you!
Singer Luther Vandross is still 'battling for his life' after suffering a stroke last Wednesday, according to a spokeswoman.
Vandross' publicist, Lois Najarian, would not release details of his condition. Doctors described it as 'critical but stable' in a statement issued yesterday from the New York Weill Cornell Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where Vandross is a patient.
'I do want people to understand that this is an extremely critical situation, and Luther is battling for his life,' Najarian said yesterday.
The R&B singer, whose career includes four Grammys and several platinum-selling albums, was preparing for a comeback when he suffered his stroke. His latest album, 'Dance With My Father,' is due June 17 and features guest appearances from Beyonce Knowles, Queen Latifah and Stevie Wonder. Vandross' schedule was to include several tour dates, interviews and a possible slot as a guest judge on Fox's 'American Idol' program May 6.
Vandross' schedule has been postponed, Najarian said. His four- night concert series, May 22-26, at Westbury Music Fair, has been canceled, and the venue is instructing ticketholders to return their tickets to the place of purchase for a refund. Vandross' 'American Idol' show has also been scrapped. (A Fox spokeswoman says the show does not comment on guest judges until the day before they appear.)
Vandross turned 52 Sunday. While his appeal has primarily been among an older crowd of sophisticated R&B listeners, the singer has found some younger fans: 'American Idol' contestant Clay Aiken, 24, chose Vandross' signature tune, 'Always and Forever,' for his tryout.
Vandross' publicist, Lois Najarian, would not release details of his condition. Doctors described it as 'critical but stable' in a statement issued yesterday from the New York Weill Cornell Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where Vandross is a patient.
'I do want people to understand that this is an extremely critical situation, and Luther is battling for his life,' Najarian said yesterday.
The R&B singer, whose career includes four Grammys and several platinum-selling albums, was preparing for a comeback when he suffered his stroke. His latest album, 'Dance With My Father,' is due June 17 and features guest appearances from Beyonce Knowles, Queen Latifah and Stevie Wonder. Vandross' schedule was to include several tour dates, interviews and a possible slot as a guest judge on Fox's 'American Idol' program May 6.
Vandross' schedule has been postponed, Najarian said. His four- night concert series, May 22-26, at Westbury Music Fair, has been canceled, and the venue is instructing ticketholders to return their tickets to the place of purchase for a refund. Vandross' 'American Idol' show has also been scrapped. (A Fox spokeswoman says the show does not comment on guest judges until the day before they appear.)
Vandross turned 52 Sunday. While his appeal has primarily been among an older crowd of sophisticated R&B listeners, the singer has found some younger fans: 'American Idol' contestant Clay Aiken, 24, chose Vandross' signature tune, 'Always and Forever,' for his tryout.
