WHitney Houston

Why is it our most talented artist, become our most troubled? Is there a correlation between great talents, and drugs? I know, it’s a harsh question to ask, but reality begs to differ. Truth is, the great talents of our day had troubling vices that ultimately ended their illustrious career. Judy Garland, Robert Earl Davis Jr. Jimmy Hendrix, Billie Holiday, Phyllis Hyman, Michael Jackson, Elvis Pressley, Robert Quince, Jon Richie, David Ruffin, Ike Turner, Kurt Cobain, DJ Screw, Pimp C, Amy Winehouse, and most recently Whitney Houston. Drugs use slowed the profound career of Whitney Houston, and although the cause of death is unknown many believe that drugs contributed.

            Houston stemmed from a soul singing family, her mother Cissy Houston, cousin Dionne and Dee Dee Warrick, and Godmother Aretha Franklin.  Whitney’s vocal inflections grasp the world like none before her. Her powerful voice recorded seven studio albums, and three gracious movie soundtracks. Houston’s eclipse gold, platinum, multi-platinum, or diamond on all of her musical LP’s. Houston’s resume shows that she was a highly celebrated artist, selling over 170 million records, and winning 415,out of 562 awards throughout her career. In fact Guinness Book of World Records deemed her the most award winning female of all time; below are her most notable awards:

Awards                       Wins                           Nominations

Grammy                     6                                              22

NAACP                        16                                           32

Soul Train                  7                                              15

People’s Choice         6                                              9

Emmy                         1                                              2

AMA                            22                                           37

Billboard                    30                                           *

RIAA                            99                                           *         

Houston was the first woman to win BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award. After receiving the award Houston expressed her joy by saying: It’s a wonderful marvelous feeling to be looked at, and not judged.  Judge not for your flaws, but for your triumphs “Whitney Houston”. In addition, to winning numerous awards Houston’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner” has been deemed by the NFL as one the greatest 25 moments in NFL history. Houston rendition was the first National Anthem to be turned into a chart-topping hit twice.

Besides being a talented artist, and actor she did philanthropy work. Donating the proceeds from second release of the Star Spangled Banner to the American Red Cross. In 1989 she formed the “Whitney Houston Foundation for Children”. She raised over $1 million for charities at Nelson Mandela 70^th birthday party, and she donated funds for her concert in South Africa to various charities in the country. In addition, East Orange New Jerseys, the Franklin School was renamed Whitney E. Houston Creative Academy.

At 3:55 pm Whitney Houston was pronounced dead by the Los Angeles police department, at the Beverly Hills Hilton. Houston’s passing gloomed Grammy weekend by striking those who gathered for the prestigious event. Probably none bigger than Clive Davis, whose famous pre Grammy party brought Houston to the Los Angeles Hotel. Reportedly Whitney Houston had just finish shooting “Sparkle” the 1976 movie that Houston acquired the rights to.  According to Steven Zetichek:

“The original "Sparkle" told the story of the Williams sisters, a trio of 1950s-era Harlem singers whose stories were loosely inspired by the Supremes. Headed by Lonette McKee's Sister, the group also features Sister's sister Sparkle (Cara), Dolores (Dawn Smith) and several friends. As they begin to find success, though, Sister's life spirals out of control, with drug addiction eventually leading to her death”.

The saddest thing about Whitney’s death is that the drug facid of her life, is what people will most people will remember her for. Cunning, baffling, and powerful or what drugs become to its abusers. Drugs wait and do pushups with and your shortcomings, by strengthening its hold with every use. Drugs are the only condition you have to convince people that they have, and we often run to our stimulate vices when things go array, or to celebrate success without considering its harm. Drug addiction is the only real problem that presents itself as a solution, when its actually adds to your problem. Prescription drugs were found in Houston’s room, and are to believe to be the catalyst of her death.

            I spent my Saturday afternoon in awe as CNN, and other networks covered Houston tragedy. I watched my mother hold back tears as she watched her favorite Whitney Houston’s videos on MTV, we sang, we remember, we mourned.  

Drugs are the only condition you have to convinced people that they have.  My favorite line, from my favorite Whitney song: If I should stay, I’ll only be in your way. So I’ll go but I know that I will think of you every step of the way. “ I will always love you”.

Zetichek, S. (2012) Whitney Houston's posthumous turn: As star of 'Sparkle' Retreieved

February 11, 2012 from: latimesblogs.latimes.com/.../whitney-houston-dead-beverly-hilton-48