Madonna just got a lesson in what can go wrong when you don’t check your facts. The Material Girl thought she was honoring the late Luther Vandross on stage during a recent performance. But the R&B legend’s estate was having none of it.
The “Vogue” singer, who is currently on tour, includes a tribute to friends and celebrities who died of AIDS-related complications during her performance of her 1986 hit, “Live to Tell.” The performance features pictures of artists, including singer/songwriter Sylvester and pop artist Keith Haring. But when legendary hitmaker Luther Vandross’ image was added to a February 24 performance in Sacramento, California, the Vandross estate was quick to correct her.
A representative for the Vandross estate shared the following statement with PageSix:
“Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier. While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus,” they said. “We’re not sure where she or her production team received false medical information claiming otherwise. We’re currently in contact with her management to remove Luther Vandross from the tribute.”
Madonna’s reps say they have since removed Luther’s photo from the presentation.
Matthew Rettenmund, author of Madonna fact book,“Encyclopedia Madonnica,” posted a shot of the Vandross photo on Instagram, questioning why he was added to the AIDS tribute.
“Though gay (and closeted to the end), and though Vandross was rumored to have lost weight due to AIDS-related illness, his 2005 death has never been attributed to AIDS complications. Not sure why he was added belatedly, but it is an interesting choice,” he captioned the post.
Luther Vandross passed away on July 1, 2005 at age 54, in a New Jersey hospital. Although the official cause of death was not disclosed at the time, doctors say he never fully recovered from a 2003 stroke he suffered in his Manhattan apartment.