Singer Luther Vandross suffers stroke

Grammy-winning singer Luther Vandross was today recovering in a hospital in New York after suffering a stroke, his spokeswoman said.

The veteran performer, who turns 52 on Sunday, suffered the stroke on 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’s label, J Records, confirmed that the singer was in a New York hospital, 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,” Ms 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 US alone.

Ms Najarian said he was in good health and had recently completed work on a new album.

But Vandross has long battled weight problems. At one point, he weighed more than 330lbs (148 kilos), 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.