NEW YORK (AP) — Luther Vandross’ new album, released as he lay in a hospital recovering from a stroke, has debuted at No. 1, according to industry figures released Wednesday.
Dance With My Father sold more than 440,000 copies in its first week of release, marking the first No. 1 album debut for the Grammy winner, whose career spans more than two decades.
The album was released by J Records on June 10, almost two months after Vandross had a stroke in his Manhattan home. The 52-year-old singer was taken to hospital April 17 in critical condition, barely conscious, and had serious setbacks; at one point, he needed a tracheotomy to help him breathe.
Although his condition was grave, family members moved ahead to release Dance With My Father as scheduled. His mother, Mary Vandross, said her son would have wanted his music to be heard and expressed confidence that it would be a success. [story]