Madonna has honored a request from the estate of the late R&B singer Luther Vandross. The singer has removed an image of Vandross from her tribute performance of “Live to Tell” in her “Celebration Tour” that includes a visual montage of artists such as Freddy Mercury, Keith Haring and others who died of AIDS related complications, representatives for Madonna told Entertainment Weekly.
After Vandross was included in the montage during a performance in California this month, the estate reportedly reached out to Madonna’s tour team to ask for a correction.
“Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,” a representative for his estate said in a statement to Page Six. “While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus.
CNN has reached out to representatives for Madonna and the Vandross estate for additional comment.
A documentary titled “Luther: Never Too Much” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Source: SABC
In other news – Kanye West sued for stealing Donna Summer’s I Feel Love song
American rapper Kanye West is being sued by the late Donna Summer’s estate for “stealing” the legendary singer’s song, I Feel Love.
Donna Summer’s second husband, Bruce Sudano, who is also the executor of the late singer’s estate, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign. Sudano is alleging that the rapper used Donna’s I Feel Love without permission for their Vultures album song, Good (Don’t Die). Read more
