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Whitney Houston

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Born in 1963 in New Jersey, Houston, Whitney was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 60s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin. So, clearly music was her destiny.

She started off singing in gospel choirs and night clubs, before a stint as a model, then was later signed by Arista Records, with whom she went on to take the global music industry by storm. She achieved 11 No.1 hits in the US and is a multi-Grammy award winner. Her total record sales have topped 170 million, putting her on a par with super singers Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Plus, her best-known song, the 1992 hit originally written by Dolly Parton 'I Will Always Love You' remains the biggest-selling track by a female artist of all time and spent 14 weeks at No.1 in the US charts. Her success spanned the 80s and 90s mainly, and hits including: 'Run To You', 'Saving All My Love For You', 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' and 'Queen Of The Night' have become classic karaoke numbers.

Not only did Whitney become music's golden girl, but she was also a successful actress, starring in blockbuster movie, The Bodyguard opposite Kevin Costner. The soundtrack for this won the 1994 Album Of The Year Grammy. She also went on to act in Waiting To Exhale.

Sadly, Whitney's personal life was not destined for such success. In 2007, after 14 years and a daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, she divorced singer Bobby Brown over claims of domestic abuse. She also struggled with drug addiction and financial problems, the former of which really took its toll on her voice. It meant that Whitney's attempt at making a comeback in 2009 with new album 'I Look To You' was met with criticism of her appearance and behaviour, with her voice not being up it any more. And despite undertaking a drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme in 2011, she sadly passed away on February 11, 2012, aged just 48, discovered dead in a Beverly Hills hotel room after reports of heavy drinking earlier in the night.

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Do You Remember Whitney Houston?

Do You Remember Whitney Houston?

  • Anonymous user
    on
    She made a BIG mistake in marrying Bobby Brown, who shamefully abused her and pushed her into the 'drink & drugs' path. That man has a lot to answer for. I first remember hearing her first UK single 'Saving All My Love For You' on a coach journey back to Birmingham from London in November '85; she was level-pegging with Ruby Turner for a no.1 spot. Personally, I think she'dve been better off trying to cut it as a jazz singer- much nicer world to work in, steady job, and better suited to her voice. May she rest in peace.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    all of genre make me wanna hurl .no need..no need....
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I liked Whitney's more up-tempo material, such as 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody', and 'How Will I Know' (the opening lines of which were used recently on the dance hit 'Take Me To The Clouds Above' by LMC), but the songs with which she is mostly associated (unfortunately) are those awful love ballads, filled with her trademark ear-splitting crescendos. I blame Whitney and Mariah Carey equally for all these X-Factor contestants who ALL seem to copy that warbling vocal style which sets my teeth on edge!
  • Anonymous user
    on
    i remamber whitney houston by the body guard

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