Exclusive Merchandising and Licensing Partnership

Expansive Global Retail Program for One of The Most Iconic Artists of All Time

Santa Monica, CA — – In advance of multiple anniversary celebrations next year, the estate of Luther Vandross has tapped Epic Rights, part of Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company, Bravado, as the global merchandise management agency to develop an all-new multi-category worldwide retail and e-commerce program for the legendary singer. The new arrangement will see a roster of new licensing partners signed to create branded merchandise and other elements to continue Luther Vandross’ legacy.

Known for his sweet and soulful vocals, Luther was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Beginning his career with performances on “Amateur Night” at the Apollo Theater in New York City, Luther Vandross went on to sing background for a number of famous artists including David Bowie, Bette Midler, and Stevie Wonder. In 1981, Luther released his solo debut album, Never Too Much, which propelled him to stardom and lead to eleven consecutive platinum albums, winning 8 Grammy Awards, 9 American Music Awards, 4 Soul Train Awards and 3 NAACP Awards. Over his three plus decade career, he has sold over 40 Million albums worldwide and produced records for Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Dionne Warwick.

In 2021 Google honored & celebrated Luther Vandross with an animated Doodle on what would have been his 70th birthday. In 2014, Luther Vandross was honored with a a plaque on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame”.

Luther’s impact and influence continues to solidify his legacy as one of the most groundbreaking artists in history. The estate will continue celebrating that legacy with multiple milestones in 2023, including the 20th Anniversary of both his Dance With My Father album and Live at Radio City Music Hall (Luther’s final live performances), along with other activations including the launch of the Luther Vandross Foundation, remix collaborations, the re-release for his debut group Luther which included the albums Luther and This Close To You.

With increasing demand from Luther’s fans to engage with the iconic singer’s legacy, Epic Rights has signed agreements with new licensing partners including Recycled Karma, American Classics and Goodie Two Sleeves to develop apparel and accessories across multiple channels of distribution.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with both Lisa Streff and the Epic Rights team to continue to expand and find new avenues to keep Luther’s brand, music and legacy relevant and top-of-mind in today’s pop culture”, states Rob Dippold, Partner & Chief Digital Strategy Officer for Primary Wave Music. “We anticipate building a diverse and comprehensive collection of apparel, collectibles, wall art and accessories including using never-before-seen assets from the estate’s archives to celebrate his career, music, and talent in new and creative ways”

“Luther Vandross is an icon and legend, we are thrilled to be representing such an incredible artist. In conjunction with the Luther Vandross Estate we are confident we will be developing authentic merchandise for the Luther Vandross fans around the global. added Lisa Streff, Epic Rights’ Senior Vice President of Global Licensing.

“The Estate of Luther Vandross is excited to reconnect Luther’s iconic voice and image with his worldwide fanbase through the style and moments that complimented his 30-year career,” stated David Gottlieb, artist manager of Luther Vandross estate. “Luther Vandross songs were always on one topic – love. With new merchandise across the spectrum, Epic Rights can empower the Luther Vandross fan to return that love in what they wear and share.”

About Luther Vandross:

Luther Vandross was more than just a great singer. A suave yet warmhearted New Yorker who became one of music’s most beloved balladeers from his solo breakthrough in the early ‘80s to his untimely death in 2005, Vandross was also a vocalist whose understanding of singing as an art form was so profound, he changed notions of what it could be. That’s just what he did on his astonishing 1981 cover of “A House Is Not a Home,” transforming the Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic into an acutely personal demonstration of his control, dexterity, and expressiveness. In the process, he transcends the ‘60s divas who inspired him—Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin—to create a model for those who followed. Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion have all acknowledged the impact that their sometime duet partner had on them. Along with the irresistibly joyful title track of Vandross’ 1981 solo debut, Never Too Much, “A House Is Not a Home” also helped launch him after many years of working behind the scenes as a session vocalist and arranger for acts like David Bowie and Bette Midler and as the singer of “Searching” and “The Glow of Love,” two classy hits for the Italian/American disco group Change. In the decades that followed, Vandross continued to find ways to push the art forward instead of relying on the tried and true. Later Grammy winners like 1991’s “Power of Love/Love Power” and 2003’s “Dance With My Father” remain as technically accomplished as they are emotionally moving, on both counts standing as testaments to his enduring legacy. For more info visit https://LutherVandross.com

About Epic Rights:

Epic Rights is an industry-leading branding, merchandising, and artist’s services company representing a diverse roster of iconic music artists and brands such as AC/DC, KISS, Aerosmith, David Bowie, John Lennon, Def Leppard, Britney Spears, *NSYNC, and many more. Epic Rights offers a broad range of services, including retail licensing, tour merchandising, D2C e-commerce, VIP/fan experiences, merch bundles, and fan engagement opportunities. Epic Rights is part of Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company, Bravado. For more information, visit: www.epicrights.com.

About Primary Wave Music:

Primary Wave Music is the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world. The company is home to some of the most iconic songwriters, artists, and record labels across the history of recorded music including Sun Records, Bob Marley, Prince, Stevie Nicks, James Brown, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson, Whitney Houston, Burt Bacharach, Bing Crosby, Luther Vandross, Olivia Newton-John, Ray Charles, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, America, War, Gerry Goffin, Traveling Wilburys (Bob Dylan), Joey Ramone, Robbie Robertson, Teddy Pendergrass, Count Basie, Sly & The Family Stone, Boston, Alice Cooper, Paul Anka, Boy George and Culture Club, Allee Willis, Leon Russell, Paul Rodgers, Free, Toots & The Maytals, Steve Cropper, Martina McBride, Glenn Gould, Air Supply, Jeff Porcaro (TOTO), Holly Knight, Jim Peterik, Alice In Chains, Godsmack, Disturbed, Devo, Donny Hathaway, Nicky Chinn, David Malloy, Even Stevens, Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Noel Hogan (Cranberries), Dan Wilson, Mike Scott (Waterboys), Chris Isaak, KT Tunstall, Patrick Leonard, Sturken & Rogers, Gin Blossoms, Tom Whitlock, Steve Kipner, Matt Redman, and many more. The songs represented by Primary Wave include over 800 Top 10 singles, and over 400 #1 hits. Throughout the company’s 16-year existence, Primary Wave Music has embraced an entrepreneurial spirit, offering, and executing proactive one-of-a-kind ideas, unique services, and marketing campaigns for our artists. Primary Wave has earned a stellar reputation for being forward thinking and re-introducing classic artists and their music into the modern marketplace as well as nurturing young talent to become legends themselves. This success is based upon our team of seasoned and creative executives collaboratively working together closely with our artists as partners. As a company, we strive for excellence in the pursuit of iconic artists and catalogs that not only reflect great artistry, but impact and influence culture.