LOS ANGELES: Luther Vandross’ style harkened back to a more genteel era of crooning, with songs that spoke to heartfelt emotions and gentle pillow talk rather than explicit sexuality.

“I’m more into poetry and metaphor, and I would much rather imply something rather than to blatantly state it,” the Grammy awardwinner once said. Vandross, whose deep, lush voice on hits such as ‘Here and Now’ and ‘Any Love’ provided the romantic backdrop for millions of couples, died Friday. He was 54. The singer died at John F Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., said hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh. He did not release the cause of death but said in a statement that Vandross “never really recovered” from a stroke two years ago. — AP