Remembering Whitney Houston

Ranked #8,915 in Music, #242,421 overall

I'm Every Woman

Singer, Whitney Houston, was an American superstar with a powerful voice and record breaking success. During the 80s and 90s, Whitney churned out hit after hit, with more consecutive #1 singles than any other artist. Discovered by music legend, Clive Davis, Whitney signed with Arista Records and released her first album, Whitney Houston, in 1985. The album was a success, both in the United States and internationally, kicking off a career that made her a global pop superstar.

After recording three albums Whitney decided to give acting another try and starred in The Bodyguard, alongside Kevin Costner. It was a box office success and so were the singles and soundtrack for the movie. Whitney went on to star in Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife, both featuring the singer's vocal abilities and and accompanied by a soundtrack.

Following these successes, Whitney turned her focus back to her singing career as news of her marriage to Bobbi Brown began making waves. The talented singer released Your Love is My Love, Just Whitney, and comeback album, I Look To You.

Whitney made her mark on the world, the music industry, and aspiring and successful artists everywhere. Her vocal talents and the powerful messages that she insisted her songs be made of will never be forgotten. I, personally, will remember her for the ability to inspire with music and putting out that message of love with every song.

Whitney's Music Videos

Is Your Favorite on the List?

Whitney Houston recorded so many great hits, its hard to choose the best ones. Here are just a few of her record breakers and personal favorites!
Whitney Houston - I Look To You
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Top 10 Whitney Houston Songs

Add Them To Your Playlist Today!

Singles 1-5
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Singles 6-10

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Whitney Houston's Career Accomplishments

A Look At Her Music Career

Grammy Award for Best Original Sountrack, Bodyguard

Whitney Houston had an incredible voice, and she used it to express feelings and emotions that she, and we all feel, in a way that moved people like few others could. At the height of her career, Whitney, was making and breaking careers every year, with each new album. Fans recognized Whitney's talent and, along with her musical background, helped launch her into international stardom.

Houston began her music career singing backup with her mother for greats such as, Chaka Khan, Lou Rawls, and Jermaine Jackson. Houston signed with Arista Records in 1983 after Clive Davis discovered her. With the release of her first album, Whitney Houston, in 1985, a star was born. This first album sold 13 million copies in the US and had four singles in the top of the pop charts.

- Named Most Awarded Female Artist of All Time by The Guinness World Records
- 6 Grammy Awards
- 2 Emmy Awards
- 22 American Music Awards
- 30 Billboard Music Awards
- Record for the most AMA awards won by a single artist
- Record for the most Billboard Music Awards won in a single year, 11 in 1993
- 11 #1 hit singles from just 6 albums

Whitney Houston Albums

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Our Star Spangled Banner

The Whitney Standard

In 1991, at the Super Bowl, Whitney Houston sang our national anthem. The United States had just gone to war, The Persian Gulf, and patriotism was high. Whitney came out on the field and sang the heck out of that song, like no other person did or has ever since.

Whitney set the standard that day, and her version of The Star Spangled Banner was recorded and sold, raising $500,000 for the American Red Cross, shot to the top of the charts, and became the fastest selling single. Not bad at all.

That wasn't the end though. Whitney's version of the Star Spangled Banner made it back on the Billboard charts, reaching #6, in 2011 following the September 11th attacks on New York City.

If you've never heard it, or its been a while. Take a minute now to listen to Whitney sing her heart out.
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Whitney's Grammy Moments

Whitney Houston's First Grammy, 1986, Best Pop Vocal Performance Female

Whitney won her first Grammy for, Saving All My Love For You. She went on to sing the song that night, and ended up winning an Emmy for the performance!
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One Moment in Time Grammy Performance

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I Will Always Love You, Live Grammy Performance 1994

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39th Grammy Award Waiting to Exhale Medley

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Personal Struggles and Controversy

Soon after Whitney's marriage to Bobby Brown, rumors began circling about drug abuse. Houston would confirm these rumors herself on The Oprah Winfrey Show and again in an interview with Diane Sawyer. During the Diane Sawyer interview, Whitney infamously ranted about the fact that she did not use crack cocaine, saying, "Crack is whack!" Before that interview though, Whitney and Bobby were caught traveling with marijuana, which led to drug charges that were later dropped.

Whitney begins canceling events and performances left and right, and her publicist is left to explain Whitney's unhealthy appearance. Whitney enters drug rehab for the first time in 2004. She returns to rehab in 2005, before going back to rehab for a final time in May 2011.

In 2006 Whitney files for a divorce from Bobby Brown, and the divorce is final in 2007. During her Oprah interview, Whitney tells Oprah that Bobby abused her physically. Following a canceled tour, Whitney occasionally appears in the tabloids for her erratic behavior. On the eve of the Grammy Award Ceremony, following pictures and reports of a disheveled appearance, Whitney Houston is found dead in her hotel room in Beverly Hills. She was just 48 years old.

Whitney Houston Photos

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Whitney Houston's Death

August 9, 1963- February 11, 2012

Whitney Houston Feb 9th, 2012On February 11, 2012 Whitney Houston was pronounced dead in Beverly Hills, California at 48 years of age. Whitney was to attend the Pre-Grammy party hosted by her mentor, Clive Davis, later that evening in the hotel where she was found dead. Whitney is survived by her daughter Bobbi Kristina, ex-husband Bobbi Brown, mother Cissy Houston, family, friends, and fans.

Artists Inspired By Whitney Houston

Many artists have named Whitney Houston as an influence in their own singing. Here are just a few of them.
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Remembering Whitney

One of the first times I remember hearing Whitney Houston's music, I was dancing with my sister to songs playing on the radio in my dad's shop. The song, How Will I Know, came on. It has remained my favorite Whitney Houston song ever since. The thing that I have always loved about her music, and really made her stand out, was that she not only has this incredibly strong voice, but she used it to sing these even more incredible songs with powerful messages. From, The Greatest Love of All to My Love is Your Love, they all had a message that you could honestly believe in when she sang them.

The fact that she had this beautiful gift makes it so much harder to know that she never really completely overcame all the obstacles that were in her lives. Everyone that heard her sing in her prime, and all of her fans, would have loved to see her get back to her music, recording, or even just know that she was doing okay in her personal life. Even if she never came back and wowed us with a fabulous singing career later in life, it would have been nice just to see her doing well, living life as that powerful woman we saw at the start of her career.

Guestbook Comments

Feel free to leave your comments, condolences, or share memories you have of Whitney and her music in your life. If you liked this lens, please scroll back up and let me know by hitting the Like button on the left.

  • KimGiancaterino Mar 13, 2012 @ 6:28 pm | delete
    I saw Whitney Houston perform live and she was truly amazing. What a sad loss for her family and fans.
  • KimGiancaterino Mar 13, 2012 @ 6:28 pm | delete
    I saw Whitney Houston perform live and she was truly amazing. What a sad loss for her family and fans.
  • mnriver Feb 23, 2012 @ 3:22 pm | delete
    My beautiful Whitney gone.
  • Phillyfreeze69 Feb 20, 2012 @ 11:37 pm | delete
    Whitney Houston was such an incredible music talent. I can remember sending a note of congratulations to Arista Records after hearing her debute album "Whitney" in 1985.

    A gifted vocalist that made me stop and ask "who is this"...found out she had been surrounded by great female singers all of her life. Nippy, rest in peace.
  • KaneshiaKelly Feb 19, 2012 @ 4:19 am | delete
    Great lens. I love Whitney and I'm deeply saddened by her death. Please check out my lens@http://www.squidoo.com/whitney-houston-america-s-angel.
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Whitney Houston Tributes

I will add Whitney Houston tributes by fans and artists as I find them.

Whitney Houston's Acting Career

Films Whitney starred and appeared in.
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Movie Soundtracks

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