Stars, fans honor life of Vandross

The funeral service for eight-time Grammy winner Luther Vandross hit just the right notes Friday: soulful, joyful and powerful, an echo of the late singer’s unforgettable voice.

Family, friends and fans filled the Riverside Church in New York for a memorial service that morphed into a revival meeting before ending with an all-star rendition of his hit single “Power of Love/Love Power.”

Vandross’ wide appeal was evident in the first few rows of mourners, where current hitmakers Usher and Alicia Keys shared space with music legends Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle.

Vandross, 54, died July 1 at a New Jersey hospital, two years after he suffered a debilitating stroke. He sold more than 25 million records in his long career, with hits such as “Stop for Love,” “Here and Now” and “Dance With My Father.”