On February 11th, 2012 the world lost a true music legend. Just 48 years old and a few hours before she was set to perform at Clive Davis’ Grammy’s pre-show, Whitney Houston was found dead at a Beverly Hills hotel. Despite the clear emotional struggles she endured over the past ten years, let’s not forget the beautiful music she never failed to give us.
In the wake of losing a musical icon, it’s important to look into the accomplishments of one of the industries greatest talents. Clive Davis signing her on the spot at a nightclub in New York City in 1983 speaks mounds to Whitney’s raw talent and perhaps the most powerful vocals ever in the music world. But just for good measure one of my favorite quotes is from Tony Bennett, a man of a different song but of a great musical mind. When Bennett first heard Whitney Houston in the 80’s he said to Clive Davis “You finally found the greatest singer I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Agreed, Tony Bennett. The chills and emotions evoked when listening to a live performance of Whitney’s is enough for me to say that the world has loss a one-of-a-kind musical legend.
I believe the music speaks for itself, but here are just some of the many accomplishments Whitney made in her lifetime. She is the only artist ever to have seven consecutive number one Billboard Hot 100 hits, and is the only artist to have seven consecutive multi-platinum Albums. Whitney won 415 total awards including Emmys, Grammys, and AMAs amongst others. She is in the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards hall of fame and has won awards in over 4 countries. She was the first female artist to enter the Billboard top 200 albums at number one, and The Bodyguard Soundtrack is one of the top 10 best-selling albums of all time. Off of the soundtrack is what could be one of the most recognized songs ever: “I Will Always Love You,” which is a remake of a classic Dolly Parton song. That little song alone is the bestselling single ever by a female artist, and won her 3 Grammys. In 1991 in the beginning of the Persian Gulf War, Whitney Houston sang, perhaps, the most memorable National Anthem ever at Super Bowl XXV. It has been recorded as one of the greatest moments in American T.V. history, and the audio was re-released on a special album after 9/11.
Video of Whitney singing the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV 1991
Even if her music isn’t your most preferred, or you only know her for her media image from the past 10 years, it would be a grave mistake not to recognize her for her accomplishments and how she truly came into the music world as a vocal powerhouse; breaking records that could potentially never be broken by a solo artist ever again. More importantly than her records, Whitney Houston made my life a little better with her songs. She gave us words that hold fast and true in their messages; empowering women with strength, giving us faith in love, and helping the world have a little hope when things seem hopeless.
“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.”
–Aretha Franklin, Godmother