April 18, 2003 NEW YORK (AP) -- Grammy-winning singer Luther Vandross was recovering in a hospital Thursday after suffering a stroke, his spokeswoman said.
The veteran R&B performer, who turns 52 on Sunday, suffered the stroke Wednesday, according to a statement from his business manager, Carmen Romano.
"Family and friends are hopeful for a speedy recovery," the statement said. No further details about his condition were included.
Lois Najarian, a spokeswoman at Vandross' label, J Records, confirmed that the singer was hospitalized in New York, but said she had received no further information, and it was unclear if the stoke had impaired Vandross's motor skills.
"We're all very optimistic at this point," Najarian said in a telephone interview.
Vandross, whose deep silky voice has anchored romantic hits such as "Here and Now, "A House is Not a Home" and "Any Love," has sold approximately 20 million albums in the United States alone.
Najarian said he was in good health and had recently completed work on a new album.
However, Vandross has long battled weight problems. At one point, he weighed more than 330 pounds (148 kilograms), and his weight fluctuated dramatically over the years.
Vandross told The Associated Press in a 2001 interview that his excess weight had led to diabetes and hypertension, but he had been able to keep his weight down for three years through diet and exercise.
However, he had recently gained weight again.
Vandross won four Grammy awards in the 1990s. His new album was scheduled for a June release.
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