American soul singer Luther Vandross has died at the age of 54, two years after suffering a major stroke.

One of the leading romantic singers of his generation, he sold 25 million albums and won dozens of awards.

Even after his stroke in 2003, he kept recording, winning four Grammys for his final album Dance With My Father.

Tributes from stars such as Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson poured in after his death, at the JFK Medical Centre in New Jersey, was announced.

The singer "had a peaceful passing under the watchful eye of friends, family and the medical support team," said hospital spokesman Robert [more ...]