influential Arieses (is that the plural of Aries?) in my life by pamela francis

Luther Vandross. I’ve met a lot of people, but not him. I wasn’t about to regale you with another story from my illustrious Hollywood past (Yea, ok). But Luther Vandross was a very influential Aries in my life when I was between ten and maybe… twenty years old. After that, Freddie Jackson moved into that slot and, I’m sorry, I liked his stuff better. Deal with it. But in any case, Luther was indelible. I hated the way he became a mascot for Weight Watchers and the LGBTQ community but ya gotta get your political talismans where you can, I guess. For me, Luther Vandross was more than, “Oh! He’s lost so much weight!” and “OOH! He’s getting fat again!” and “Oh… he’s gay.” I don’t care about stupid information like that. I cared about the way I could dissolve into tears whenever I heard A Thousand Kisses from You. No matter how many times or how many years had passed between hearings. That song reminds me so much of being a little kid in the projects and trying to look cute, wearing sky blue all the time, and denim. And blue jellies sandals. In March when it was still cold in the Bronx, but the promise of spring weather was right there. So you went out there in that thin-ass windbreaker even though your mom had told you it wasn’t warm enough for that yet. But it was just the right shade of blue…

Tags: Aries season