Luther Vandross: The Charles Foster Kane Of ’80s R&B?

jharv | December 10, 2007 12:30 pm
How pissed are we that we missed Luther Vandross’ estate sale by almost a week? (We didn’t even hear about it until Friday! Sadness.) Not that we’re flush with cash to bid on the late R&B legend’s stuff, but the man owned a pair of “red fur cargo pants, made out of pony skin.” Red fur and pony skin, people. At least the Washington Post was there, and their inventory of Vandross’ Xanadu-esque vaults makes him sound like the classiest and the gaudiest man to ever lord over a quiet storm playlist.

Do we begin with the 1961 Picasso charcoal, signed by the artist? The Gucci mink-and-alligator-trimmed belted three-quarter-length coat? The Versace black crocodile double-handled travel bag? The Pasha de Cartier 18-karat white gold and diamond wristwatch? Or the red fur cargo pants, made out of pony skin?

Should we mention that Max Szadek, his longtime assistant and curator of this sale, says that this warehouse holds less than 20 percent of Vandross’s belongings, and that this doesn’t include any of the really personal stuff? Some of the things for sale would put Liberace to shame, some of it is classy beyond compare, some of it just makes you scratch your head. Here: Lalique sconces, a Flora Danica polychrome and parcel-gilt dinnerware set, Puiforcat display dishes. There: Purple Gucci snakeskin pants, Versace cheetah-print wool pants, a Tony Chase dyed fox rhinestone-decorated wrap.

Szadek, Vandross’s assistant, is showing us around these and other highlights, and we ask politely if the red fur pony-skin cargo pants were stage apparel.

“Oh no, he would wear those anywhere. He was not for saving the fine china for a special occasion.”

The man had a Pac-Man arcade game that he brought with him on tour. If we didn’t love him already, that would pretty well seal the deal. Guess we just have to hope that the other 80 percent of Luther’s estate goes on sales at some point. And that there are still snakeskin pants available in other colors.

Always And Forever: Luther’s Legacy [Washington Post]