LUTHER VANDROSS - VANDROSS UNABLE TO ATTEND GRAMMYS

Soul veteran LUTHER VANDROSS has been forced to stay away from Sunday's (08FEB04) GRAMMY AWARDS, after failing to build up enough strength to attend the ceremony.

Vandross, who has been nominated for five Grammys for his hit album DANCE WITH MY FATHER, suffered a severe stroke last April (03), and spent several weeks in a New York City hospital before being transferred to a rehabilitation facility. He is still in a wheelchair.

The singer's business manager CARMEN ROMANO says in a statement, "It would have been a tremendous moment for Luther to attend the Grammy Awards this year. But on the advice of his doctors, I regret to say that Luther won't be able to make this trip."

Although he won't be able to attend, Vandross will still be a major part of the ceremony - CELINE DION and J RECORDS labelmate ALICIA KEYS will take part in a tribute to the star during the show, which will take place in Los Angeles.