Madonna; Luther Vandross.Photo:Stephen Lovekin/Getty; Harry Langdon/Getty
Stephen Lovekin/Getty; Harry Langdon/Getty
Madonnahas made an adjustment to herCelebration Tour.
The Queen of Pop, 65, removed an image ofLuther Vandrossfrom the section of her Celebration Tour that pays tribute to AIDS victims after his estate requested it be taken down, her rep confirms to PEOPLE.
Throughout Madonna’s ongoing Celebration Tour, images of several celebrities who lost their lives to AIDS — including Keith Haring, Herb Ritts andFreddie Mercury— have been featured on screens as she sings her 1986 single “Live to Tell,” an anthem about perseverance.
Madonna.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
But during her Feb. 24 show in Sacramento, California, the “Here and Now” singer’s image was featured, which shocked his estate.
A rep for Vandross' estate toldPage Sixin a statement that “Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier.”
The rep added: “While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus. We’re not sure where she or her production team received false medical information claiming otherwise. We’re currently in contact with her management to remove Luther Vandross from the tribute."
The Material Girl kicked off herlong-awaited Celebration Tour, which celebrates the40th anniversary of her debut album,at London’s O2 Arena in October.
Two weeks into the tour,Elton Johntook to social mediaand expressed appreciation for Madonna’s continued efforts to speak up about AIDS and those who’ve died from the disease.
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“Thank you, Madonna, for your advocacy and compassion, and for raising important awareness of the ongoing mission to end AIDS. With 39 million people living with HIV today, 9.4 million of whom are not currently on life-saving treatment, we must keep using our voices and platforms to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live full and healthy lives,” the post continued.
Madonna has previously used “Live to Tell” to honor those who’ve lost their lives to AIDS, most notably on the Confessions Tour in 2006, when she performed the song from a large crucifix and displayed facts and statistics about the disease’s effect on the world.
source: people.com
