In 1998, at the height of Luther Vandross’ career, Uptown resident and powerhouse vocalist Patricia Lacy-Aiken stood behind the R&B legend as a backup singer. On Friday, Oct. 31, she will join a group of talented local vocalists to pay tribute to the late Vandross and his music.
Lacy-Aiken has countless incredible memories with Vandross, including how she came to be his backup singer. “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 behind 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.”
Lacy-Aiken and a group of the Twin Cities’ finest vocalists will pay tribute to Vandross in a concert with two shows on Halloween night titled: “Forever, For Always, For Love – A Celebration of the Life and Music of Luther Vandross”.
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. concerts, “Forever, For Always, For Love – A Celebration of the Life and Music of Luther Vandross” at The Dakota on Friday, Oct. 31 here.