[B.I.G.]

Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48

Whitney Houston (Jakubaszek/Getty Images)


(AP) LOS ANGELES - 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.

News of Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night — the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to case a heavy pall on Sunday's ceremony. Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday; it was unclear if it was going to go forward.

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.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale."

She had the he perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.

She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.

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 told ABC's Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.

She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.

Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

"The time that I first saw her singing in her mother's act in a club ... it was such a stunning impact," Davis told "Good Morning America."

"To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine," he added.

[B.I.G.]

Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with "Whitney Houston," which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. "Saving All My Love for You" brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. "How Will I Know," "You Give Good Love" and "The Greatest Love of All" also became hit singles.

Another multiplatinum album, "Whitney," came out in 1987 and included hits like "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

The New York Times wrote that Houston "possesses one of her generation's most powerful gospel-trained voices, but she eschews many of the churchier mannerisms of her forerunners. She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity."

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences. The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the "Soul Train Awards" in 1989.

"Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?" she told Katie Couric in 1996. "You're not black enough for them. I don't know. You're not R&B enough. You're very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them."

Some saw her 1992 marriage to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown as an attempt to refute those critics. It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop's pure princess while he had a bad-boy image, and already had children of his own. (The couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in 1993.) Over the years, he would be arrested several times, on charges ranging from DUI to failure to pay child support.

[B.I.G.]

But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.

"When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place," she told Rolling Stone in 1993. "You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that's their image. It's part of them, it's not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody's angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy."

It would take several years, however, for the public to see that side of Houston. Her moving 1991 rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl, amid the first Gulf War, set a new standard and once again reaffirmed her as America's sweetheart.

In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with "The Bodyguard." Despite mixed reviews, the story of a singer (Houston) guarded by a former Secret Service agent (Kevin Costner) was an international success.

It also gave her perhaps her most memorable hit: a searing, stunning rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," which sat atop the charts for weeks. It was Grammy's record of the year and best female pop vocal, and the "Bodyguard" soundtrack was named album of the year.

She returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Preacher's Wife." Both spawned soundtrack albums, and another hit studio album, "My Love Is Your Love," in 1998, brought her a Grammy for best female R&B vocal for the cut "It's Not Right But It's Okay."

But during these career and personal highs, Houston was using drugs. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said by the time "The Preacher's Wife" was released, "(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. ... I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day. ... I wasn't happy by that point in time. I was losing myself."

In the interview, Houston blamed her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007.

Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2010. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.

[B.I.G.]

She was so startlingly thin during a 2001 Michael Jackson tribute concert that rumors spread she had died the next day. Her crude behavior and jittery appearance on Brown's reality show, "Being Bobby Brown," was an example of her sad decline. Her Sawyer interview, where she declared "crack is whack," was often parodied. She dropped out of the spotlight for a few years.

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album "I Look To You." The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.

Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on "Good Morning America" went awry as Houston's voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.

A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out. Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.



© 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48 - CBS News

[papalawrence]

So sad.....what an enormous talent.......but just as sad, imho this is not a surprise.

[B.I.G.]

I know drugs is powerful, it catches up with you. This is very sad :-(

[Dave Bing]

That's a true shame. She had it all. Beautiful, all-american, and a voice like you had never heard...

[Dave Bing]

[Dave Bing]

Rest in peace.

[Whitley]

A true shame. She was such a talent, confident that she was truly one of the sexier women back in the day. Then Bobby Brown got ahold of her and she was never the same. The death does not come as a surprise, but when they said she was only 48. I thought she was that young? It seemed in recent years like she was a lot older. And it is telling that she had so much success when she was so young. Makes one wonder if she was truly ready for it.

[Stefan S]

Sad sad story.
Rest in peace!

[ghandi]

Drugs really ruined her.....Such a shame had a beautiful voice.....Even so she has influenced alot of singers even today.

[Big Jerm]

Too bad. Especially today, when the music industry has become all about crappy auto tune, a pure voice like hers will be missed. I hope she's finally free of her demons. RIP.

[detroitsportsfan]

RIP. A bit of a surprise but then again, considering her bouts with alcohol and drugs, not really. (I don't believe we know the cause of death at this time however.) Still pretty sad. No matter what you thought of her music, she had one incredible voice.

[B.I.G.]

Yeah her music will live on forever, that's for sure.

[mn3]

I'd never heard that Star Spangled Banner clip - holy crap!Just one of the best voices of all time.

[Dave Bing]

That was a huge moment for the country. We were just getting into the first war (outside of Granada and our Central American mischief) since Viet Nam. Country was unsure of the whole thing. It was so powerful and emotional. Whatever one thinks of our misadventures in the Gulf over the years, that was an amazing moment in time.

[Kstat]

Whitey Houston and Marvin Gaye (at the 1986 all-star game) had the two most memorable renditions that I can remember. Very different, but both timeless.

[detroitsportsfan]

Marvin Gaye's is the one I remember most and my favorite all-time.

[Dave Bing]

Listen to her voice track isolated singing "How Will I Know?" She could have been an operatic soprano or anything else.http://jakefogelnest.com/post/17460767716

[papalawrence]

Originally Posted by detroitsportsfan

Marvin Gaye's is the one I remember most and my favorite all-time.

+1......in its own league.

[Money23]

Originally Posted by Dave Bing

Listen to her voice track isolated singing "How Will I Know?" She could have been an operatic soprano or anything else.http://jakefogelnest.com/post/17460767716

Wow. Outstanding control. My favorite song of hers.

[Money23]

Her daughter hospitalized today with stress and anxiety. Just a sad situation.

[Dave Bing]

Originally Posted by Money23

Wow. Outstanding control. My favorite song of hers.

The pitch and tone are so pure. The range. So sad.

[tin mad dog]

Originally Posted by Kstat

Whitey Houston and Marvin Gaye (at the 1986 all-star game) had the two most memorable renditions that I can remember. Very different, but both timeless.

Marvin Gaye was killed in '84 but that was a great performance at the Forum in '83.

The story about Whitney's performance is that it was prerecorded before the game. If it was, so be it. It still was amazing.

RIP.

[Dave Bing]

Hey, she still had to sing it, right?

[tin mad dog]

For sure. Great voice. Too bad she made some bad choices that seemed to have taken her life.

[B.I.G.]

Yes indeed very bad choices too her life...smh. 48 is so young, man.

[whoDean]

So beautiful, such a voice, such a shame.

[Dave Bing]

Jennifer Hudson and Adele showing that despite the ubiquity of autotune, some people can just plain sing.

[hack]

Gotta give it to her. It not often someone who trades on craft instead of art can really move people, but with that voice she did just that.

[Dave Bing]

That Nicki Minaj thing was about the worst performance I have ever seen. Never heard her before. I think that I will pass on any future pretentions.

[papalawrence]

Originally Posted by Dave Bing

That Nicki Minaj thing was about the worst performance I have ever seen. Never heard her before. I think that I will pass on any future pretentions.

You've never heard super bass?

Not a fan, but she is quite popular:

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass - YouTube

[detroitsportsfan]

Jennifer Hudson has the perfect voice to pay tribute to Whitney Houston and she did just that on The Grammy's tonite. Overall, I thought this years Grammy's was one of the best in years.

[Dave Bing]

Never heard it until now. Meh. I suppose that she has a talent.I just think that they probably could have shut down the exorcism skit tonight. Just didn't fit with the program. Plus she was horrid.

[B.I.G.]

Nicki Minaj, not a fan but she can flow. Compared to Lil Kim. Actually them two are beefing right now.

[tin mad dog]

Originally Posted by papalawrence

You've never heard super bass?

Not a fan, but she is quite popular:

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass - YouTube

I think that was what some annoying kid was singing along with his
i-pod on the subway a few weeks ago. Public transit can really be interesting at times.

[Jangul]

Originally Posted by tin mad dog

I think that was what some annoying kid was singing along with his
i-pod on the subway a few weeks ago. Public transit can really be interesting at times.

Was it this guy?

[Orwellian O.]

Originally Posted by Jangul

Was it this guy?

That is sad. Obviously he isn't right. Though, he of course seems to be enjoying hiimself.

[tin mad dog]

Originally Posted by Jangul

Was it this guy?

Maybe a cousin of this guy. Very similar talent.

BTW- 3 minutes and the train didn't make a stop? I'm guessing the 4 train.

[B.I.G.]

Apparently Bobby Brown left the funeral early, was forced out.

[B.I.G.]

Bobby Brown Leaves Whitney Houston Funeral Early Over Seating Dispute inShare0Share this Email Print More from the WrapSinead O'Connor Rips Up Pope Again -- And Bono -- On New Album 4:53pm EST Michael Fassbender to Star in Ridley Scott's 'The Counselor' 4:22pm EST NBC Gives 'Community' a Return Date 4:05pm EST Dan Savage Takes 'It Gets Better' to MTV -- and May Have a Deal for Santorum (Video) 4:25pm EST By Tim Kenneally at TheWrapSat Feb 18, 2012 6:44pm EST Whitney Houston's funeral on Saturday experienced some drama as the singer's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, left before the service even began due to a seating dispute.Brown, who's currently on tour with his group New Edition, vacated the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., after he was told that the church couldn't accommodate him and his entourage.Also read: Whitney Houston Funeral: Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly Perform; Kevin Costner SpeaksThe Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was in attendance at Houston's funeral, told CNN that Brown and his entourage of "four or five people" took seats in the front row, but were told that the row was reserved for family only. They were asked to move, Jackson said, but there wasn't room at the invitation-only service to seat them elsewhere."That was a very difficult moment for all of us; we wanted him to stay," Jackson said. "It seems they could have accommodated him better than they did."The Rev. Al Sharpton, also in attendance, tweeted from the site that he attempted to keep the peace during the dispute.Also read: Bobby Brown on Ex-Wife Whitney Houston: "You Have to Move On""I am at Whitney's funeral. I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services," Sharpton wrote. "Today is about Whitney!"Sharpton softened his stance in a tweet following the funeral."We are out of the service," Sharpton wrote. "I don't want anyone distorting Bobby Brown. He has shown love and respect today. Stop hatin'."Sharpton reiterated his support for Brown to CNN after the funeral, saying, "Bobby did nothing but show love and respect for the memory of Whitney and his daughter ... I spoke to Bobby, he said all he wanted to do was show respect and love."In a statement, Brown said that he was asked to move on three separate occasions, and was prevented from seeing his daughter, Bobbi Kristina, at the funeral."I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur," Brown's statement reads, according to CNN. "I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."Brown's tour takes him to Uncasville, Ct., on Saturday night. Coincidentally, the tour will bring Brown back to Newark on Sunday.Related Articles: Bobby Brown on Ex-Wife Whitney Houston: 'You Have to Move On' (Video) Bill O'Reilly: Whitney Houston An 'Addict,' 'Wanted to Kill Herself' (Video)Bobby Brown Leaves Whitney Houston Funeral Early Over Seating Dispute | Reuters

[Jeff Hause]

Oy...

Jason Mecier's Whitney Houston 'Pill Portrait' Pays Tribute To Singer

[hack]

Brilliant. America, I can't hate you when you justify it all with a brilliant piece of humor.

[B.I.G.]

They are going to talk to Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina on Oprah. I thought her show ended?

[papalawrence]

Originally Posted by B.I.G.

They are going to talk to Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina on Oprah. I thought her show ended?

Oprah has her own network (OWN). I'm guessing the show is on her own station.

[B.I.G.]

Oh ok. They didn't mention something about being on OWN. Didn't know what that mean...LOL