Whitney Houston R.I.P.

[Bob Romano]

The iconic R&B diva – one of the best known-celebrities in the world – has passed away at age 48. Via “MSNBC”::​

Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
Houston’s publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown…
At her peak, Houston the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world’s best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen… But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.
“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy,” Houston toldABC‘s Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side…
​

This from The Daily Twitter feed:​

Bev Hills police: Whitney Houston cause of death still under investigation; died in 4th fl hotel room at Bev’ly Hilton; body still in room… A family member tells @daily that Whitney Houston’s family is congregating in Alpharetta, Georgia…
​

Even more tragically, just before she died Houston seemed to be on the verge of a potential career revival, under the stewardship of svengali Simon Cowell. From The Hollywood Reporter:​

Whitney Houston could be staging another career comeback with a coveted seat next to Simon Cowell on The X Factor’s judges panel, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
The pop diva, who performed on the U.K. version of The X Factor in October 2009, is said to have been approached to join the Fox talent series, according to a source close to the show…

As well, it seemed Houston was also set to step up her profile around the Grammy Awards this Sunday; in 2011, she had performed an erratic set at music mogul Clive Davis’ legendary annual Grammy party, and was apparently considering attending this year’s gala as a guest. This according to the LA Times:

Whitney Houston was among the A-list performers planning to attend veteran music mogul Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party Saturday at the Beverly Hilton hotel, the see-and-be-seen event of the year.
​

According to The Daily:

Whitney was to be Clive Davis’s date tonight—and that his Grammy party will go on as planned…
​

TIME magazine has helpfully compiled its list of Houston’s Ten Most Memorable Songs. Meanwhile, tributes from Houston’s friends and colleagues continue to pour in. These thoughts via India.Arie’s Twitter:

Raining in LA – Skies crying for Whitney. She was SO! Kind to me. Will miss her. Hurting. We were on a plane to BET honors together last year and [Whitney] talked to me the whole way and made [me] LAUGH and smile… She Was a Lion and a Butterfly…
​

 

[JonUrban]

Quite surprising and shocking, to me anyway.

 

[elmer]

So sad really. I had the opportunity to see her perform a showcase in the corporate offices of Record World on LI in 1985 just before her first album was released. She was barely 20 yrs old and very sweet and shy - her voice was incredible. Unfortunately her troubles apparently got the best of her. RIP Whitney.

 

[bmoura]

Wow, what a tragedy. We will remember her songs fondly.

 

[EMB]

Of course we're already hearing such talk as "It was Bobby's fault!" and the like. I'll wait to find out what the autopsy report tells, because even those who have abused drugs don't necessarily die because of them.

Can't say I was a fan of her music--or any music like it--but she did have a fine voice which, sadly, got progressively less reliable over the years (was she a smoker, I wonder?)

R.I.P.

ED

 

[Chris Gerhard]

Very sad but not very surprising. When a long term drug addict dies at a young age, drug abuse is always a contributing factor at a minimum and of course is often the direct cause. An autopsy is planned so we will know more but being beautiful and talented isn't always a blessing. With such a talented family and friends she had role models to help but unless she wanted to be helped, not much can change the gradual death spiral once it starts. I know we all hoped this story would have a different outcome than expected and recent positive reports were encouraging so there was reason to be optimistic, it just wasn't to be.

 

[EMB]

And then there is this: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nation...er&utm_campaign=Daily Newletter - AUTO 2012-0

ED

 

[elmer]

And then there is this: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nation...er&utm_campaign=Daily Newletter - AUTO 2012-0

ED

Speculating about the cause of her death is like shooting fish in a barrel. She was just another in a long line of preternaturally talented people who were ill equipped to deal with living under the microscope of extreme fame. Sad for her and her family and fans. I would however, like to point out that hyperlinks to the Rag of all Rags, the NY Post, do not add credibility to the conversation. There is and will be at least until the next celebrity "shocker," 24/7 coverage on all the channels - Whitney TV if you like. Let's leave it there and not here.

 

[DKA]

Speculating about the cause of her death is like shooting fish in a barrel. She was just another in a long line of preternaturally talented people who were ill equipped to deal with living under the microscope of extreme fame. Sad for her and her family and fans. I would however, like to point out that hyperlinks to the Rag of all Rags, the NY Post, do not add credibility to the conversation. There is and will be at least until the next celebrity "shocker," 24/7 coverage on all the channels - Whitney TV if you like. Let's leave it there and not here.

Amazingly enough, the Daily News actually went with the worst of the two front covers today.

 

[elmer]

Amazingly enough, the Daily News actually went with the worst of the two front covers today.

Just the # 2 Rag of All Rags trying to become #1

 

[leevitalone1]

Very sad but not very surprising. When a long term drug addict dies at a young age, drug abuse is always a contributing factor at a minimum and of course is often the direct cause. An autopsy is planned so we will know more but being beautiful and talented isn't always a blessing. With such a talented family and friends she had role models to help but unless she wanted to be helped, not much can change the gradual death spiral once it starts. I know we all hoped this story would have a different outcome than expected and recent positive reports were encouraging so there was reason to be optimistic, it just wasn't to be.

Very sad indeed. I am one to belive substance abuse is the root cause, and it's not a slam on her. I admired her for coming up out of
nothing, and she did handle it pretty well. Just look at the artists we have lost to that shit. My hope is they won't find her death was due to abuse. really sad.

 

[DKA]

She could fucking sing, and she could sing in a way many of those who've tried to emulate her throughout the years simply cannot touch. The media rivalry was always between her and Mariah Carey but, where Mariah had Whitney beat in range, Whitney was always the better pure singer. Watching Jennifer Hudson last night pay tribute was a textbook example of the difference between a singer and a shouter, which is what Hudson (and Christina Aguilera) are more of.

Whitney and Amy Winehouse lost in the same year. Different eras and style, but two of the purest natural singers ever put to record.

The body can only take so much abuse sometimes. RIP, and thank you.

 

[jefe1]

The toxicology report will probably confirm the speculations. A sad end for a self inflicted problem. One wishes she had the strength of character to have taken on her demons and stick around for her child.

 

[Doug G.]

I guess I have changed over the years.

When Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison died, I had absolutely NO empathy for any of them. I was just angry that those people killed themselves when they were given a talent like that that any of the rest of us would be so grateful to have.

I always imagined them feeling so sorry for themselves that nobody understood them and blah blah and so they used that as an excuse to abuse drugs and alcohol.

I still feel that way to an extent. But when Amy Winehouse died earlier and now Whitney Houston, it is just so very sad.

Doug

 

[DKA]

I guess I have changed over the years.

When Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison died, I had absolutely NO empathy for any of them. I was just angry that those people killed themselves when they were given a talent like that that any of the rest of us would be so grateful to have.

I always imagined them feeling so sorry for themselves that nobody understood them and blah blah and so they used that as an excuse to abuse drugs and alcohol.

I still feel that way to an extent. But when Amy Winehouse died earlier and now Whitney Houston, it is just so very sad.

Doug

Addiction is difficult, and I would never blame someone who has difficulty overcoming their addiction. I never feel any emotion other than sadness. If anything, the anger is directed towards the extensive entourages, shady promoters and managers, etc., troubled stars often have around them who have anything but their best interests in mind.

This is getting into non-music-related areas, so I'll quit while I'm ahead here.

 

[Frantic]

So, so sad.

Her rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" still gives me chills. To me, it was the best ever done.

Rest In Peace.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

My condolences to Whitney Houston's family and friends. This is a terrible hurt for everyone. She was one of our greatest singers and brought much happiness to the world through her voice and music.

 

[kap'n krunch]

First of all, it's sad that anyone departs this life in this condition. She was fighting her demons and had been doing so for many years...I used to play her first 45 when I was DJ in an FM station from 84-86-great voice...but what I really don't understand is these people who have EVERYTHING IN LIFE (basically- so MANY MILLIONS!) and are SO UNHAPPY!!!!!

Aaaand while we're at it----have you noticed that these "recent/modern" artist's deaths have been caused by LEGAL drugs rather than "illegal" ones...(Amy Winehouse= Keef called it!)

BTW..I am a FIRM believer that Jimi was murdered, cause "officially" he died of him "choking on his own vomit" from drinking wine, but there was almost no alcohol in his bloodstream....how do you explain that??? Well, karma is a bitch and his manager(the one who had him ordered killed) died only 3 years later and his "girlfriend" who I'm sure was part of the deal, committed suicide when one of Jimi's ex's was on her case....

Anyway...be happy, hang loose and be careful with your karma, cause in the end, that's what it's all about....