The music of Luther Vandross remains a cornerstone of R&B, defined by unparalleled vocal precision and deep emotional resonance. Decades after his peak, fans still crave the sophisticated soul and romantic storytelling that Vandross perfected. However, capturing the essence of such an icon requires more than just a tribute; it demands a performer with a deep personal connection to the music and the technical skill to do it justice.
Terry Steele, an award-winning songwriter and performer, is stepping into this role with a massive national tour in 2026. Having co-written the Grammy-winning hit “Here and Now,” Steele offers a perspective on Vandross’s legacy that few others can claim. In this interview, we discuss the upcoming tour, the timeless nature of these compositions, and how Steele aims to keep the magic of Luther Vandross alive for a new generation of listeners.
Q: You have a unique history with Luther Vandross as the co-writer of “Here and Now.” How does that personal connection shape the way you approach this national tour?
Terry Steele : The way it helps me to shape this tour is that I am trying to be authentically correct in the way I present Luther’s stage performances his music down to the costume I really want people when they come to the show to get a sense of being back in a live Luther Vandross performance.
Q: What can fans expect from the 2026 tour in terms of the setlist and the overall atmosphere of the live performances?
Terry Steele: Well I’m doing all of Luther’s classic hits from. “Never too Much” to “House is not a Home”. “Dance with my Father” and of course “Here and Now” and “So Amazing” and “Any Love”. They’re gonna get an hour and a half to two hours of classic Luther and I even have a Luther Vandross jacket that Luther had designed for me that I wear during the performance so I want them to get authentic Luther.
Q: Luther Vandross was known for his perfectionism and vocal range. What is the biggest challenge in translating his studio recordings into a live concert experience?
Terry Steele: Well, I saw Luther live also and I think one of the biggest challenges is that Luther made it seem so easy but you’re right his technical range was he had a very wide vocal range and to perform those songs night after night. The most challenging part is, I have to really make sure I get proper rest and take care of my my voice vocalized, but a lot of the techniques and things that I use vocally in the show I was actually taught by people like Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick so it’s really honoring that tradition of classically singing, and perfecting your craft and able to do these songs.
Q: Beyond the hits, why do you believe Luther’s music continues to resonate so deeply with audiences more than twenty years after his passing?
Terry Steele: I think it still resonates with people in the audience because Luther saying about love and it’s something we all can still relate to. Yes they were big hits, but they were big hits because it really touched the heart and the soul of the listener and I think generation after generation as long as people find a way to love each other or fall in love. Luther songs will always resonate and be relevant to any audience.
Q: As a songwriter yourself, what do you think was the “secret sauce” in Luther’s ability to turn a simple love song into a timeless anthem?
Terry Steele: Well I know, I don’t know how secret of a sauce it is but when in my time just having conversations with Luther he really taught me how every song that I sing, whether I write it or not, and I learned Luther lived by this also is the ability to take those lyrics and interpret them where it comes from your heart. You have to find a place in all of these songs that speaks truth to something that you can relate to yourself. So the first thing I do when I get a song (Luther song’s), a song I’ve written is to sit down with the lyrics and make that song my own find. A place, a situation or a story that I can truly relate to personalize it and make it come from my heart, and I think the truth and singing something that really speaks to you is why it can become timeless. I know when I sing “Dance with my Father”, I did not write it, but it’s so personal to me and every time I sing it, I’m fighting back the tears and so if it’s that, if I’m not passionate about it, then I know that that flows into the audience and they’ll feel that same passion.
Q: This tour is described as a celebration of a legacy. What do you hope the audience takes away from the show when the final curtain falls?
Terry Steele: Well I hope that they will really have a reminiscence and experience the time when they saw Luther, and that again I’m not trying to be Luther Vandross or or I’m not an impersonator, but I really wanted to keep the music and the passion that Luther gave his audience. I want you to step back in time with me and let us both relive that love, and that magic that Luther brought into our lives.
This interview highlights the enduring power of classic R&B and the dedication required to uphold the standards of a musical legend. Terry Steele’s intimate knowledge of the craft and his personal history with Luther Vandross ensure that this tour is more than a performance—it
is a heartfelt tribute. By focusing on authenticity and emotional depth, the tour promises to satisfy long-time fans while introducing the brilliance of Vandross to a contemporary audience.
Looking ahead, the preservation of such iconic catalogs is vital for the health of the music industry. As digital trends come and go, the live experience remains the most powerful way to connect with the soul of a song. Terry Steele’s 2026 tour serves as a necessary bridge between the past and the future, proving that great music never truly goes out of style.To learn more visit terrysteelemusic.com
