Whitney Houston
Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect
American singer and actress Whitney Houston died in Los Angeles on 11th Feb 2012 at the age of 48. Houston died in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she had been staying as a guest. Police received an emergency call from hotel security at 15.43 local time (23:43 GMT). Police were dispatched, and paramedics at the hotel attempted to resuscitate her, without success. She was pronounced dead at 15:55. Whitney Houston had been planning to attend a pre-Grammys party thrown by her mentor and close friend, Clive Davis.
According to the LA Times, she was due to attend record producer Clive Davis’ pre-Grammys party at the hotel, alongside the likes of Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Akon, Cee Lo Green, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Jackson Browne and Elvis Costello.
Houston herself had won six Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, 30 Billboard Awards and her total record sales topped 170 million, including seven consecutive No.1 hits in America but spent most of her last years mired in a drug addiction that sapped her will to sing and left her in a shambolic state.
Houston was the first black woman to break through the colour bar at MTV. The station’s heavy rotation of her videos made her a familiar face to Middle America, a US magazine editor once dubbed her “the first black America’s sweetheart”.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born Aug. 9, 1963, in Newark, N.J., Cissy Houston, her mother, was a gospel singer and backup singer who worked with the likes of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Dusty Springfield. Aretha Franklin was the youngster’s godmother, and Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick were her cousins.
At the age of 19 she was spotted by Clive Davis, the music mogul who has become legendary for his ear and his success in guiding the early careers of Rod Stewart, Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson. Davis saw in Houston a rare bundle of raw talent, beauty and pedigree. He spent two years and $250,000 to prepare and package her before releasing her 1985 debut album, Whitney Houston, which became a huge worldwide seller.
In 1992 she married hip-hop singer Bobby Brown, with whom she had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, but their tumultuous relationship became a public spectacle. They later divorced in April 2007. She checked into rehab clinics twice before declaring herself drug-free in 2010.
Houston’s body of work included a string of No. 1 hits in the 1980s, including “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “The Greatest Love of All,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” Her soundtrack to the 1992 movie “The Bodyguard” became one of the 10 biggest-selling albums of all time. She also starred in the film with Kevin Costner. The soundtrack included the hit, “I Will Always Love You.”
Important Dates In The Life Of Whitney Houston:
On this day in music
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7
Oct
2024
American soul and gospel singer Cissy Houston died age 91. She was the mother of Whitney Houston). She was a member of Sweet Inspirations, The Drinkard Singers, (with Dionne Warwick), and as a back-up singer worked with Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, David Bowie (Young Americans), Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, (Moondance), Beyoncé, (Dangerously In Love) and many others.
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5
Feb
2023
Beyoncé won four Grammys breaking the record for most all-time Grammy wins with 32. Other winners at the event held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles included Harry Styles who won Album of the Year for Harry's House, becoming the first male British solo artist to win since George Michael in 1989. Lizzo won Record of the Year for 'About Damn Time', becoming the first black woman to win the award since Whitney Houston in 1994 and Bonnie Raitt won Song of the Year for 'Just Like That'.
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3
Sep
2019
US songwriter LaShawn Daniels, who co-wrote such hits as Destiny's Child's Grammy-winning ‘Say My Name’ and Lady Gaga's ‘Telephone’ died in a car crash in South Carolina aged 41. He had also worked with artists including Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Brandy and Toni Braxton.
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19
Jun
2014
Gerry Goffin, who penned chart-topping songs with his then-wife Carole King died at the age of 75 in Los Angeles. He wrote dozens of hits over two decades, including 'The Loco-Motion', 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman'. After their divorce in 1968, Goffin continued writing songs, including a hit for Whitney Houston 'Saving All My Love for You' in 1985.
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18
Mar
2014
American musician, percussionist, actor and voice actor Joe Lala died from complications of lung cancer at the age of 66. As a drummer and percussionist, he worked with The Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Manassas, The Bee Gees, Whitney Houston, Joe Walsh, Andy Gibb and many others. He played the trademark congas that drove the Bee Gees' 1976 US chart-topper 'You Should Be Dancing', subsequently included on the multi-million selling Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
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18
Feb
2012
Whitney Houston had an invitation-only memorial at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. Among those who performed at the funeral were Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly. Kevin Costner read a moving and personal Eulogy.
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11
Feb
2012
Whitney Houston was found dead in suite 434 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, submerged in the bathtub. Beverly Hills paramedics arrived at approximately 3:30 p.m. and found the singer unresponsive and performed CPR. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. Local police said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent." It was later ruled by the coroner to have been an "accidental drowning". She influenced many singers and was known for her powerful, soulful vocals, vocal improvisation skills, use of gospel singing techniques in pop music, and live performances. Houston had 11 No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and is the only artist to have seven consecutive No.1 singles on the chart.
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15
Apr
2010
After receiving some bad reviews and even enduring some boos during her performance, Whitney Houston brushed off criticism of her first show in the UK in over eleven years by insisting she was playing to a 'tough crowd'. She had recently been hospitalized with chronic rhinopharyngitis, which is a swelling of the membranes in the nose and throat.
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29
Mar
2007
‘Umbrella’, by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z was released in the US. The track went on to reach No.1 in various countries, including the US. A No.1 in the UK for 10 consecutive weeks making it the longest running No.1 single since Wet Wet Wet's Love Is All Around in 1994, and the longest running No.1 by a female artist since Whitney Houston's ‘I Will Always Love You.’
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28
Mar
2006
Tina Brown the sister-in-law of Whitney Houston sold pictures taken in her bathroom to the National Enquirer claiming Houston had been taking crack cocaine. The pictures showed drug paraphernalia including a crack-smoking pipe, rolling papers, cocaine-caked spoons and cigarette ends strewn across the surface tops of the bathroom.
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11
Dec
2003
Bobby Brown was charged with battery after allegedly hitting wife Whitney Houston in the face. Brown, turned himself in to the police three days after a reported domestic dispute at the couple's home in Atlanta, Georgia. Houston, who accompanied her husband to court, said they were trying to work out their problems "privately."
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4
Dec
2002
Whitney Houston admitted in an US TV interview that drink and drugs nearly killed her. Bobby Brown's missus also admitted to being addicted to sex. She said her business is sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, and got into the lifestyle after missing out on partying when her career kicked off aged 18.
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9
Nov
2002
Viewers of the UK music channel VH1 voted 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston as the number 1 most romantic song ever. In second place Elvis Presley 'You Were Always On My Mind' and third place went to 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celine Dion.
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7
Nov
2002
Whitney Houston's husband, Bobby Brown was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, speeding, driving without a licence and having no proof of insurance after he was stopped by police in Atlanta City.
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7
Sep
2001
Michael Jackson was reunited onstage with the Jackson Five at his 30th Anniversary Celebration in New York City's Madison Square Garden. It ended Jackson's 11-year hiatus from performing in the U.S. Jackson was joined by Eminem, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Britney Spears and Destiny's Child to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his singing career.
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6
Aug
2001
Whitney Houston became one of the highest-paid musicians in the world after signing a new deal with Arista records, said to be worth more than $100m.
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31
Mar
2001
Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown were banned for life from Hollywood's Bel Air hotel after wrecking their room. Hotel workers said a TV was smashed, two doors were ripped of their hinges and the walls and carpets were stained by alcohol. It was reported that Whitney called in her lawyers to plead with the hotel management not to call the police. The suite was so badly damaged it had to be shut for five days for repairs.
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13
Jun
2000
A roadie who worked for The Spice Girls, Oasis, Elton John and Whitney Houston was arrested and charged with smuggling millions of pounds worth of Ecstasy into the UK.
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11
Jan
2000
It was reported that Whitney Houston was under investigation after allegedly trying to smuggle 15.2 grams of Marijuana out of Hawaii. A security officer found the drug in the singer's handbag, Houston then walked away when he tried to detain her.
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24
Aug
1998
Producer Gene Page died after a long illness. Worked with Barbra Streisand, Barry White, The Righteous Brothers, Dobie Gray, Bob and Earl. Produced Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love of All' and Roberta Flack's 'Tonight I Celebrate My Love.'
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29
Nov
1997
Whitney Houston pulled out of a concert sponsored by the Moonies two hours before she was due on stage after finding out the event was a mass wedding for over 1,000 Moonie couple's. The religious group said they had no intention of suing providing the singer returned the $1m fee she had received.
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25
Nov
1995
Whitney Houston went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Exhale (Shoop Shoop)', written by Babyface and taken from the film 'Waiting To Exhale', it gave Whitney her 11th US No.1.
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24
Jan
1995
American songwriter and record producer David Cole died from spinal meningitis brought on by AIDS aged 32. He was a member of C+C Music Factory who had the 1991 UK No.4 single 'Things That Make You Go Hmmm...', and the 1991 US No.1 single 'Gonna Make You Sweat'. Cole also produced various hits for other artists including Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.
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26
Nov
1994
Boyz II Men started their 14th and final week at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'll Make Love To You' giving them the longest run in chart history along with 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston.
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4
Mar
1993
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown became parents when Whitney gave birth to a baby girl, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown. Bobbi went on to become an reality television and media personality, singer, and actress. Brown died in hospice care on July 26, 2015, at the age of 22 after being found face down in a bathtub in her Georgia home. She was later placed into a medically induced coma.
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27
Feb
1993
After 14 weeks at No.1 on the US singles chart, 'I Will Always Love You', gave Whitney Houston the longest ever US chart-topper, taking over from Boyz II Men's hit 'End Of The Road', and became the second biggest selling single in the US. Recorded by Houston for the soundtrack to her film debut, The Bodyguard, the song quickly became one of the world’s Best Selling Singles of all time.
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12
Dec
1992
Whitney Houston started a twenty-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'The Bodyguard'. It has sold over 44 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling soundtrack album of all time, as well as one of the best selling albums of all time.
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5
Dec
1992
Whitney Houston started a ten-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Will Always Love You'. The longest ever run at No.1 for a female artist the Dolly Parton penned song was taken from the Bodyguard soundtrack.
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28
Nov
1992
Whitney Houston started a record-breaking fourteen-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Will Always Love You', taken from the 'Bodyguard' soundtrack. The song was written by Dolly Parton.
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25
Nov
1992
The Bodyguard, opened nation-wide featuring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. The film which was Houston's acting debut was written by Lawrence Kasdan in the 1970s, originally as a vehicle for Steve McQueen and Diana Ross. It became the second-highest-grossing film worldwide in 1992 with the soundtrack becoming the best-selling soundtrack of all time, selling more than 42 million copies worldwide.
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18
Jul
1992
Bobby Brown married Whitney Houston at her New Jersey estate who was dressed in a $40,000 Marc Bouwer wedding gown. Those in attendance included Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle and Freddie Jackson. After years of making tabloid headlines, she would file for divorce in September, 2006.
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16
Oct
1988
Whitney Houston had her third UK No.1 single with 'One Moment In Time.' The song was recorded to celebrate the Seoul Olympic Games of 1988.
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11
Jun
1988
Nelson Mandellas 70th birthday tribute took place at Wembley Stadium, London, featuring Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman, George Michael, Eric Clapton, UB40, The Eurythmics and Simple Minds. The event was broadcast live on BBC 2 to 40 different countries with an estimated audience of 1 billion.
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23
Apr
1988
Whitney Houston smashed a chart record held by The Beatles and The Bee Gees when 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', became her seventh consecutive US No.1, a No.14 hit in the UK.
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9
Jan
1988
Whitney Houston scored her sixth consecutive No.1 in the US with 'So Emotional'.
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31
Oct
1987
Forbes Magazine listed the Top 40 American entertainment earners from 86-87, 8th was Whitney Houston $44 million, 7th Madonna $47 million and third place Bruce Springsteen $56 million.
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26
Sep
1987
Whitney Houston started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Didn't We Almost Have It All'.
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15
Aug
1987
Michael Jackson had his third UK No.1 with the single 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You', a duet with Siedah Garrett. It was originally intended to be a duet between Jackson and either Barbra Streisand or Whitney Houston. Session singer Siedah Garrett also worked with Madonna.
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27
Jun
1987
Whitney Houston became the first women in US history to enter the album chart at No.1 with 'Whitney' she also became the first woman to top the singles chart with four consecutive releases when 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' hit No.1.
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13
Jun
1987
Whitney Houston started a six-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with her second LP Whitney. With this album, Houston set various records on the US charts. Houston became female artist, to debut at No.1 with an album and its first four singles, 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)', 'Didn't We Almost Have It All', 'So Emotional' and 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', all peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the first female artist to achieve that feat.
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6
Jun
1987
Whitney Houston had her second UK No.1 single with 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)'. It reached No.1 in over a dozen other countries and won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1988.
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17
May
1986
Whitney Houston started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Greatest Love Of All', the singers third US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK.
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14
Dec
1985
Whitney Houston scored her first UK No.1 single with 'Saving All My Love For You'. The song which was written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin, had been a minor hit for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. in 1978 and was also a US No.1 for Houston.
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26
Oct
1985
Whitney Houston went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Saving All My Love For You', also a No.1 hit in the UK.
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8
Jun
1974
Dolly Parton was at No.1 on the US country chart with 'I Will Always Love You'. Elvis Presley indicated that he wanted to cover the song. Parton was interested until Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, told her that it was standard procedure for the songwriter to sign over half of the publishing rights to any song Elvis recorded. Parton refused. 'I Will Always Love You' later became a worldwide No.1 hit for Whitney Houston in 1992 when featured in The Bodyguard.
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17
Jun
1973
Dolly Parton recorded 'I Will Always Love You' in RCA's Studio "B" in Nashville. Written for her one-time partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner, (the two were splitting professionally at the time). The song was later a world-wide hit for Whitney Houston.
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