Whitney Houston: 1963 - 2012

This past weekend we said our final good-byes to a musical legend, Whitney Houston, who captured audiences worldwide with her amazing voice and magnetic presence. Whitney Houston was the epitome of pure talent whose voice alone could leave a stadium of people in silent awe. The New Jersey native had a God-given talent that allowed her to be an artist in the purest form: no gimmicks, no crazy wardrobe, no smoke and mirrors… just music, soul, and THE VOICE. 

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey to entertainment executive Russell Houston and gospel singer, Cissy Houston. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Whitney nourished her talent singing in New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. Music being the cornerstone of her family, Whitney received vocal training from her mother and was raised around musical greats Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin, which helped to develop her talent and by the age of 14 she was singing background vocals for artists like the Michael Zager Band and Chaka Khan and occasionally appearing on stage in her mother’s performances. 

Whitney's Seventeen Magazine Cover

Ironically, Houston’s first step to stardom was through a short-lived modeling career and not through music, becoming the second African-American model to grace the cover of Seventeen Magazine at the age of 17. However, music was her passion and in 1983 she signed to Arista Records with Clive Davis and made her first appearance on the Merv Griffin Show. Her debut album, Whitney Houston, was released in 1985 and yielded 3 Number 1 Hits: “How Will I Know,” “Saving All My Love for You” and “Greatest Love of All;” a Grammy, 7 American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and her Grammy performance of “Saving All My Love for You” won her an Emmy. The album is listed as one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine and The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and Whitney’s entrance into the music industry is listed as one of USA Today’s Top 25 American musical milestones. 

Her debut album marked the beginning of Ms. Houston’s international, incontestable super-stardom that spanned 27 years and 7 albums during which she has produced 33 Billboard Hot 100 hits (12 of them landing at #1), sold 170 million albums, singles and videos, garnered 415 awards (6 of them Grammys), starred in 5 movies including The Bodyguard; which grossed over $410 million worldwide and has been the only person turn the National Anthem into a Top 20 pop hit when she performed it at Super Bowl XXV in 1991. 

While Whitney Houston’s numbers and superstardom are quite impressive the legacy left by her incomparable talent is far greater. Known as the “singer’s singer” she has inspired countless musical greats and has set a standard in music very few can achieve because of her vocal ability. As the first Black female pop artist to garner heavy rotation on MTV, she opened the door for other female acts such as Janet Jackson and Anita Baker. Her influence in popular music rivals that of Michael Jackson and Madonna and has been deemed as THE VOICE by music critics, musicians, industry heavy weights and fans alike. 

Whitney Houston died on February 12th from causes still unknown, the day before the Grammys and hours before she was slated to attend Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party in the same Beverly Hills hotel where she was found dead. The sudden death of one of American music’s greatest stars has left the world in shock. There are those that want to discredit Ms. Houston’s achievements and talents because of her battle with addiction in the latter part of her life but the fact remains that what she accomplished and the gift she bestowed upon us during her 48 years of life is undeniable and utterly immeasurable. Clive Davis continued with the festivities that evening, which quickly turned into a tribute to Whitney, stating, 

“By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney's passing. I don't have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn't scheduled to perform. Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on." 

At the Grammy’s, LL Cool J began the show with a prayer in her honor and Jennifer Hudson performed a moving tribute singing, “I Will Always Love You.”  

Program for Whitney's Funeral Service

Her funeral services were held this past weekend at the church where it all started, New Hope Baptist Church, where for 4 hours those closest to her rejoiced and celebrated her life and legacy and mourned her death.  Stevie Wonder, Cece Winans, Kim Burrell, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly were among those who paid musical tribute to Whitney with her cousin, Dionne Warwick presiding over the service and Clive Davis, Kevin Costner, Ricky Minor and her long-time security guard Ray Watson giving eulogies. Bobby Brown, her ex-husband, made a brief appearance. Her body was laid to rest on Sunday, February 19 in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ next to her father, who died in 2003. She is survived by her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, her ex-husband Bobby Brown and her mother, Cissy Houston.


Kevin Costner's Eulogy:

Video streaming by Ustream

Amidst the controversy and the drama that seemed to plague Whitney’s last few years, there was hopes for a comeback with the movie Sparkle set to be released in the summer of 2012 and new music in the works. Instead, we have laid to rest one of the greatest artists of our time. Her life, legacy and contributions will never be forgotten and she will continue to be the standard by which good singers are measured. Her voice touched anyone who heard it and has left an impact in popular culture and the music industry. Whitney Houston will forever be a legend. She will forever be THE VOICE.

Rest In Peace: 

Whitney Elizabeth Houston

1963 - 2012

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