Luther Vandross tribute concert in Minneapolis

Patricia Lacy-Aiken knows there is only one Luther Vandross, but she and a group of talented Twin Cities vocalists also know that, since his passing in 2005, folks are hungry for his music.

“No one will ever sound exactly like him, but we’ve got the essence of what he was doing lyrically and vocally, and people love it,” Lacy-Aiken said. On Friday, Oct. 31, Lacy-Aiken will join other local vocalists paying tribute to Vandross in a concert titled: “Forever, For Always, For Love – A Celebration of the Life and Music of Luther Vandross”.

Lacy-Aiken is quite familiar with Vandross and his music. In 1998, at the height of Vandross’ career, she stood behind the R&B legend as his new backup singer. Lacy-Aiken has a story to tell of how that came to be.

“It was an amazing experience that I can’t put into words. I just know when the phone call comes in, you gotta be ready.”

Lacy-Aiken says that call came after her group “Sounds of Blackness” performed the finale of the Essence Award Show at Madison Square Garden in the late 1990s. Lacy-Aiken was the lead vocalist on the song “Takin’ it to the Streets” by the Doobie Brothers. Vandross was watching the show on television and, at the time, was down a backup singer. He put the word out that he “wanted that girl from Sounds of Blackness who did the finale in the Essence Awards Show.”

“That girl was me,” said Lacy-Aiken. She started singing backup for Vandross in June of 1998 and continued until he passed away in 2005 from complications of a stroke he suffered in 2003. Vandross left a legacy as one of the greatest soul singers of our time, selling more than 40 million albums and winning eight Grammy Awards.

“Just the way he did his timing, his embouchure, and his finessing of a song,” Lacy-Aiken recalls. Even if it wasn’t something he wrote, he made it his.”

The show will enjoy more space at its new venue this year, The Dakota. Guests can enjoy some of Vandross’ biggest hits like “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” and “Don’t You Know That.” Lacy-Aiken said she and vocalist Jay Bee will perform “Nothing Better Than Love”, which Vandross did with Gregory Hines.

While Lacy-Aiken joins a mass of people wishing they could still hear Vandross in person, she feels humbled to be a part of the tribute. “It’s amazing we’re able to still keep his memory alive like this.”

You can purchase tickets for the 7 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. concert, “Forever, For Always, For Love – A Celebration of the Life and Music of Luther Vandross” at The Dakota on Friday, Oct. 31, at: https://www.dakotacooks.com/