PRESENTS

Welcome to the Grapevine News. This section of the Mathis Chronicles contains my views about anything I find or am sent about Johnny Mathis on the Internet and elsewhere, that had been overlooked by the "official" sites. Occasionally, I report on things not directly related to Mathis but have a connection, may even make up a question to ask myself and try to answer. Readers are welcome to share their experiences here also. So enjoy and thanks for coming.

VOL. 2 NO. 8 - MAY 5, 2003

NEW TOY: I see JohnnyMathis.com has posted a photo of our man at his house with his long-overdue Grammy, as well as one of the award itself. I personally would have taken a nine-iron to the thing, but you know it WAS a long time coming...There's also a concert review from the benefit show in Dallas which I didn't see in the paper, but was available online. I didn't attend, by the way. The reviewer seemed appreciative, though, although you could sort of tell he wasn't one of the oldsters in the audience.

KEEPING MY FAITH: Luther Vandross IS my generation's Johnny Mathis. As much as white women wanted to make the non-threatening Mathis their pet, by parallel Luther Vandross has a cuddly appeal that endears him to Black women. As morning radio host Tom Joyner told USA Today, "Mainstream America doesn't realize how huge Luther is with us."

Luther became as eponymous as Mathis. In spite of his success, one got the impression that, like Mathis, he never really set out to be pigeonholed into a "romantic singer" mold, either. But, after all, how could a girl deny a voice at once so powerful and yet so gentle; so soothing yet so scintillating. His brand of romance, like that of Mathis, is a respectful kind, free of crassness and carnality. And just as with Mathis, all it takes for instant recognition are the first couple of notes to a song...

Unlike Mathis, however, Luther Vandross can write. Boy, can he write. One of his last creations, "Dance With My Father," was recently featured on an episode of Fox Television's show, "Boston Public". What could well be his last hit song, at least for a long while, recalls a tender moment between his parents. The CD by the same name will be released next month.

The stroke that felled this soulful giant took me by surprise, and really took the wind out of my sails. I was especially depressed to learn that as much as eight hours had gone by before he had been discovered. The AP had reported that as of last week, he had yet to open his eyes, and pneumonia had now set in. It's heartbreaking news.

Then I learned about Rev. Jesse Jackson's and Aretha Franklin's call for a national prayer for Luther through Tom Joyner's syndicated show. I was able to find the archive to that show. I listened intently to the three segments from April 22-24 and I heard Rev. Jackson relate that he was able to squeeze his mother's hand. When I heard that, my own sense of hopelessness turned back to hope! Today, I heard the words of his mother, Mary Ida Vandross, who told Mr. Joyner, "he is improving daily, the doctors are very very happy with his progress...they don't want him to speak yet, he's just using his eyes and his hands." Praise God. I now know he at least has a fighting chance. But oh, what a fight. I don't care if he's Fat Luther, Skinny Luther or In-Between Luther. A Living Luther will do for now.

At the very least, Luther knows he is loved by his family, friends, and fans. That's the one good thing about celebrity is that those who truly appreciate an artist get the chance to give back to him in his time of need. I can well imagine if, God forbid, a similar tragedy occurred to Mathis, the outpouring of support that he would receive, if allowed to receive it. As I learned when my own mother was in intensive care, people who are comatose can hear perfectly well, and he's being read his good wishes and hopeful e-mails. Make no mistake, stuff can go terribly wrong at this stage, as well, but I'm praying nightly for him, and sending him every guardian angel I know. I'm also praying for his poor mother, who has already experienced so much loss, losing all her children save her youngest, Luther. I pray for her strength and hope.

Luther, if I may use your own words, you're "a real strong brother, I know you'll recover, so I'm keeping my faith in you. Deep in my heart of hearts, I know if anyone can do it, I know you'll get through it." Send Luther some love.

TOUR BUS: The bus stops next in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Visit See Mathis Live! for details. New dates for 2004 added! Yay!

©2003 Iris Gross Georg. All rights reserved.

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