Sunday, February 12, 2012

Rest in Peace, Whitney Houston

Today is a sad day for our world. The news of Whitney Houston's death hit us hard last night. Tears rolled for America's sweetheart, the gal with the majestic voice whose songs made a lasting impression in our hearts and minds. Who can't instantly summon her voice singing Greatest Love of All, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Didn't We Almost Have It All, I Will Always Love You, or Where Do Broken Hearts Go? How can anyone watch the clip of her rendition of the National Anthem without crying today? It's as perfect as it gets - no screeching, no blown lyrics. Just a pure voice that thrills.

We forgave her marriage to Bobby Brown, drug use, personal struggles, and erratic behavior - changes that fame brought to her life - because we loved her. Recently, she seemed to have turned her life around, making a movie and relishing her role as a mother and daughter. Philosophical to the end, she seemed to look forward to the immediate future with her trademark love of life.

Tonight, at the 54th Grammy Awards, Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to Houston at the February 12, 2012, awards. Ken Ehrlich, Executive Producer, said, "Event organizers believed Hudson, an Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning artist, could perform a respectful musical tribute to Houston." Ehrlich went on to say: "It's too fresh in everyone's memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn't recognize Whitney's remarkable contribution to music...in general, and in particular, her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years." Ditto. I'll be watching, in tears I'm sure.

My sympathy to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown, her mother, and all who loved her (that would be the world).

Photo courtesy of The Tamminator

19 comments:

Rebby said...

This is so sad :( She may have been troubled for many years, but she has brought light into so many lives through her music. May she rest in peace. I think I am still in shock....

Charlestongirl said...

I think we're all in shock, Rebby. So sad. We are left wondering and waiting for the coroner's report.

Evelyn said...

It's very sad that she has passed on, it certainly seemed though that her life was turning around positively. I had hoped so. There hasn't been a singer who could match her voice, not in all these years.

Charlestongirl said...

Agreed, Evelyn! I saw her do a recent interview. She was up, clearly clean, and excited for the future. She mentioned her daughter and mother being her "rocks." I really feel for them.

Clarisse said...

I've heard the news today and didn't know much about her except she had an exceptionnal voice and a few songs ...Since this morning I've been watching her sing on internet videos and she is the most gorgeous singer! I wonder why she wasn't more popular here, she has an amazingly pure voice and she is so beautiful too! It's hard to realize she is dead so young leaving a fragile daughter...Do they know if it's a heart failure or what happened? Thank you for the link with the National Anthem...I'm so sad I didn't get to know her better before. I pray she's found peace, she was a wonderful lady!

Charlestongirl said...

Clarisse,

I am surprised she wasn't popular in France. She was on par with Michael Jackson. Wouldn't it be a shame if she were known in France only because her death caused people to listen to her music? She had many hits, multiple Grammy awards, and movies. She had unparalleled talent; she could sing any type of music. If you can find one, listen to this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QaI-M9sxW4.

No one really knows what caused her death. Theories abound. Because of her past drug abuse, people have jumped to the conclusion that drugs must have caused her death. I read that she was found dead in the bathtub. Heart failure? Prescription drugs, which were found in her hotel room? Illegal drugs? We won't know until the coroner releases a report in a few days. I pray it wasn't drugs. I really doubt it was suicide because of her love for her daughter. So, basically, I don't know.

Charlestongirl said...

Thanks, Lisa. Hard to figure out what to say when you're in shock.

lovethescents said...

This is so very sad. Her worst mistake was that idiot Bobby Brown. I know she got a daughter from that relationship, but he certainly ruined her.

Charlestongirl said...

Agreed, Lovethescents, Bobby Brown totally messed up her life. It look her a long time to climb back up.

Kelly said...

It's very sensitive of you to mention this on a beauty blog.

Whatever the reasons, it's very sad, particularly for the little girl.

Charlestongirl said...

Thanks, Kelly. Whitney was beautiful - in appearance, voice, and character. I couldn't let her death pass without mention of my love for her. I will always remember her with a deep thanks for the music she gave us.

Evelyn said...

I don't think it was suicide either. I think perhaps her prior drug use took a greater toll on her body than anyone knew. You could be clean but not able to completely heal the body. And some people think drugs do no harm. This is going to be a very difficult time for her daughter, I hope her grandmother keeps her close and Bobby Brown far away.

Charlestongirl said...

Well said, Evelyn!

Andreia Gheorghe said...

Thank you for your words, Charlestongirl! You are a great person, a tragedy like this could not pass by without moving you. Whitney was my favourite singer of all times. I admired her for the most wonderful voice and for being a very nice person.I knew she had problems, but I thought she'd overcome them. She was so strong when she was singing! I will always remember her singing Your Love Is My Love... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxZD0VQvfqU&ob=av2n

lovethescents said...

So she wasn't clean and sober after all. What a tragedy, but so many celebrities aren't sober either. It's a difficult life, I think, always being in a fishbowl. I hope her daughter doesn't follow in her parents' footsteps

Soni said...

Agreed. Her voice is incomparable to any other. Period. Thank you for the link to the Star Spangled Banner. I'm not a football fan & don't think I ever heard that. My brother did though and said her's was the best rendition he has heard. Ever.
I will never forget "One Moment in Time" that she sang for the Olympics. Absolutely beautiful song.
I thank her for some of the best songs of my formative years. May she rest in peace.

Charlestongirl said...

Many thanks, Andreia!

Charlestongirl said...

We don't really know, Lovethescents. There is still the possibility that a heart attack left her under water in the tub. Cocaine can weaken the heart. I hope, really hope, that was the cause of death, not drug abuse.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Soni!

I have watched her sing the National Anthem over and over again in the last two days. Have you ever heard a better rendition? There may have been a few equals (from opera singers), but nothing better.