Stroke-Stricken Singer Vandross Has Tracheotomy
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Soulful balladeer Luther Vandross, described as barely conscious 13 days after suffering a stroke, has undergone a tracheotomy to fight off pneumonia, his business manager said in a statement on Monday.
The procedure was done in a way that did not affect the vocal chords of the Grammy-winning singer, who remains in intensive care at Weill Cornell Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, according to business manager Carmen Romano.
Romano said in a statement that doctors reported Vandross was minimally responsive and “we’re waiting for him to regain full consciousness. I am told that this may take some time.”
Romano said the family and friends of Vandross appreciated the “tremendous outpouring of well wishes and prayers” received from his fans.
Vandross, who has battled weight and health problems for years, suffered a stroke on April 16 just days before turning 52.
Known for a silky singing style that helped him sell more than 20 million records worldwide, Vandross is also known for his songwriting and production prowess.
“Here and Now” brought Vandross his first Grammy Award in 1990, while “Power of Love/Love Power” won him Grammy honors for best Rhythm and Blues Song and best Rhythm and Blues male vocal performance the next year.
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