By Michelle Lulic, Special to the Chronicle
Almost everyone has heard some of Whitney Houston’s greatest hits, ranging from the fun and upbeat “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” to the moving love song “I Will Always Love You.” But just this past Saturday on the eve of music’s biggest night, The Grammys, the world was hit with the news that the legend of Whitney Houston is now no longer with us.
Houston was staying at the Beverly Hilton Hotel this past weekend in order to attend Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy gala that night. But news broke around 5 p.m. Pacific time that she was found dead inside her hotel room, laying half in and half out of the bathtub. She was found by her aunt who immediately called for help; but despite their efforts, the 48-year-old singer had already passed away.
As of right now, no one knows exactly what caused her death. Due to Whitney’s past problems with drug addiction it is definitely a question as to whether that was a factor in of her untimely death.
But the main thing to remember right now is the life of Whitney Houston: the girl who was born in 1963 in Newark, New Jersey where she grew up and began singing in her church choir at the New Hope Baptist Church.
She performed with her mother, Cissy Houston, at the age of only 15. And after that her fame started rolling as she became the first African-American woman to grace the cover of Seventeen magazine.
But her true success came when Clive Davis discovered her at age 19. After that her debut album released in 1985 and she’s had countless hits, albums, and received numerous Grammys since then.
And it’s for her unique, angelic voice that she will be remembered. She deserves to be recognized for the highlights in her career and for all the lives she touched with her music, style, and great success.
May our hearts and prayers remain with her 18-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, who was hospitalized the day after hearing of her mother’s death.
Our thoughts should also be with the rest of Whitney Houston’s family, close friends, and fans. No matter what the cause of death was, we will always remember her for that phenomenal voice and beautiful soul.