Vandross Awake, Responsive
R&B singer Luther Vandross is awake and responding to questions
for the first time since suffering a debilitating stroke almost two
months ago. According to his J Records spokeswoman, the singer
started showing real improvement at the end of last week and
continues to progress. “He had a breakthrough,” she says. “He’s
answering yes and no questions by nodding his head. Everyday there
are longer stretches of time when he’s alert.”
Before last week, Vandross had been “minimally responsive” since
first entering a New York hospital April 16th. Initially, he wasn’t
recovering as quickly as doctors hoped, and suffered a setback when
he contracted pneumonia during the hospital stay, forcing doctors
to insert a breathing tube in his throat.
Now, according to what Vandross’ mother told his spokeswoman,
the singer is able to engage in extended exchanges, mouthing the
word “Ten,” when asked what time he wanted a visit from his niece
and responding to his name.
Vandross is due to release his new album, Dance With My
Father, this coming Tuesday. The set features guest spots from
Busta Rhymes and Queen Latifah, as well as Beyonce on a remake of
the 1978 Donny Hathaway/Roberta Flack duet “The Closer I Get to
You,” which also shows up on her upcoming album Dangerously in
Love.
Doctors expect Vandross to spend at least another five or six
weeks in intensive care, undergoing a course of physical, massage
and neurological therapy. But for the long run, according to his
spokeswoman, the prognosis is “positive.”