The chart-topping an internationally renowned singer Whitney Houston has passed away at the age of 48.
Named by Guinness World Records as the most awarded female act of all time, Houston’s many awards included two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards in her lifetime. Houston released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification and to date has sold over 170 million singles and albums worldwide.
Inspired by prominent soul singers in her family, including her mother Cissy Houston, cousins Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and her godmother Aretha Franklin, Houston began singing with her New Jersey church's junior gospel choir at age 11. She later began performing alongside her mother in night clubs in the New York City area, she was discovered by Arista Records label head Clive Davis.
Best known for records such as ‘Saving All My Love for You’, ‘How Will I Know’, ‘Greatest Love of All’, ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)’, ‘Didn't We Almost Have It All’, ‘So Emotional’ and ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’, Houston’s voice was hailed as one of the most powerful the music world has ever seen.
Her difficulties with drug abuse following her marriage to R&B star Bobby Brown has been well documented – as has the damage it caused to her legendary voice – but it is as an artist and singer of the very highest order than she will be remembered.
Stars of the music world have been reacting since the news broke late on Saturday night.
"I just can’t talk about it now” said Houston’s godmother Aretha Franklin. “It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy, her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby."
Her death overshadowed the Grammy awards ceremony which took place over the weekend. P Diddy – who attended attended Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala – said, "Whitney always hit you with that beautiful smile, that incredible energy. Whitney Houston had the greatest voice in the world. We truly lost an angel."
Less than 24 hours after the world learned of her untimely death, Houston’s album sales were already topping charts all over the world.
She will be sadly missed.
