R.I.P. Whitney Houston

[Michael Wayne]

She was MY AMERICAN IDOL long before the tv show. an unimaginable tragedy. She was a fallen angel and now heavens' chior sounds so much BETTER this am. A voice touched and created by God and one of the most BEAUTIFUL women I have ever seen. Crying my eyes out watching the links in this post of, "One moment in time," . When she says, "Eternity.." it just gets the river of tears flowing. "I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU," WHITNEY! I will never forget watching Dolly Parton interviewed right after she heard Whitneys' version of , "I will always love you, " (which Dolly wrote and released on the country charts). Dolly said it was as if she had heard God himself sing. Everything in the world seemed right when she was singing and even though we know she had issues it was her singing that she seemed to escape into. We were so blessed to have you this long.......

[RockHard]

Just say no.

 

Regardless of the actual details surrounding Whitney Houston's death, which may or may not be truthfully revealed to the public, Whitney Houston's life, voice, financial stability, and career was destroyed by drugs. Her attraction to getting "high" started almost a decade before meeting Bobby Brown.

 

There is no way one can "win" if you surrender your life to a drug addiction. And once you reach rock bottom and survive, especially if you are a celebrity, it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to resume your mantle in an industry that made you famous. If drug abuse destroys your singing talent, there's no way to get it back.

 

In my opinion, drugs are the devil, out for complete destruction. And I do everything I can to keep the devil out of my life.

[+ Lucky]

"I personally would like to remember Whitney when she was doing great things with her music. That is the memory that I personally feel we should focus on..."

 

Very good point.

[Steven_Draker]

A wonderful talent has been lost ...

 

[video=youtube;tYFHAvULvJ0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYFHAvULvJ0

[leigh.bess.toad]

I was at a Valentine's Day dance at our local gay community center last night when the DJ announced that we had lost Whitney. A hush fell over the room. The rest of the evening included a lot of her hits to dance too. The last song of the evening may have been her greatest song: "I Will Always Love You". A great song for Valentine's Day but it was so obviously twinged with what we lost.

 

I was always a huge fan. She came from great lineage. Her mother Cissy Houston, her cousin Dionne Warwick, her godmother was Aretha Franklin. Yet she stood on her own. A truly remarkable talent. It was so heartbreaking to see her descent into the drugs and alcohol and addiction. What we lost as music fans to those demons will never be known. And like BVB, I do blame Bobby Brown for starting her on that path. Yes, she was responsible, but I feel he started her on that road.

 

RIP Whitney. We will miss you greatly. Thank you for all the incredible music you left for generations to treasure.

 

[video=youtube;8QaI-M9sxW4]

[bigvalboy]

My Dear Friends Steven and Lee, woke up this morning to these videos. Thank you for reminding us the greatness that we have lost. She shared and connected with so many people, I think on some level we all felt her message....for me the loss is almost unfathomable...

[JT Brooklyn]

A potentially wonderful life filled with sadness and tragedy...Done to soon. I blame "Bobby" always have, always will.

 

Sad indeed! BUT...It takes "2 to Tango" always has always will!

[TruthBTold]

She really had a magnificent voice and created such beautiful, stirring, powerful music. I went back and listened to the "One Moment In Time" clip that one of the other readers included and found the lyric, "the answers are all up to me," to be profoundly saddening.

[RockHard]

Are you claiming you knew Whitney?

 

And like BVB, I do blame Bobby Brown for starting her on that path.

 

And like BVB, you don't know what you're talking about. But that's never stopped anyone from expressing their fantasies here.

[josephga]

I don't blame Bobby Brown he was an enabler and stood by but ultimately she chose that path. We don't live in their lives She had American sweetheart image he the trouble making bad boy. But who's to say the drugs wasn't all her idea. We will never know. regardless she was responsible for her own well being not bobby brown

[Phil_musc]

This is, indeed, very sad news which I only go this morning. What a voice, what delivery, what a communicator. I find Samai's comments echo my own thinking here: "the purity of her voice and the raw emotion that comes through gives me goose bumps.

She was and always will be for me and millions, a performer who took us away from the daily routine and transported us to a place where we could soar and know no limits. Her death stills a voice but not a soul. Let us all be grateful for the gifts she gave and enshrine her in our hearts." Beautifully said. For me, when "Saving all my love for you" came on the air, everything stopped and I just had to listen and allow my heart and soul to go with her on these great lyrics compellingly performed by that sweet strong voice. For a few minutes everything had to stop and I just feasted on that loveliness.

 

And yet I am disappointed, frustrated, and angered that she could not get her own life under better control. This is a woman who seemingly had it all and yet somehow it all wasn't enough. I feel cheated that I will not have the chance to hear any new music from this talented and inspiring performer. Talent such as hers is a gift to be shared with the rest of humanity; it's almost a duty, a divine trust. Because of her own personal demons and her inability to cope with them, we got less of her divine gifts than we should have. I am saddened that we have lost her. Rest in peace.

[bigvalboy]

I don't blame Bobby Brown he was an enabler and stood by but ultimately she chose that path. We don't live in their lives She had American sweetheart image he the trouble making bad boy. But who's to say the drugs wasn't all her idea. We will never know. regardless she was responsible for her own well being not bobby brown

 

Josephga I agree in some respects with what you are saying and understand what your line of thinking is here, but in terms of addiction, though many like to simplify, it is not possible to do that. And in hindsight, I probably should retract my earlier statement about laying the blame completely at the feet of Bobby, however in my eyes my feelings on sharing responsibility stand. My second post I feel clarifies that in so much as to say that I felt that he did bear, not solely, but certainly some of the responsibility.

 

In California, I believe the law states that if a bartender continues to serves drinks to someone that they know is highly intoxicated, and that person then goes out and gets in a car and kills someone on the way home, then that bartender bears some of that responsibility. At least that is my understanding, and again I most certainly could be very incorrect here.

 

I would love to hear from a forum member 'in the know' as to the correctness of this, and who has explicit information. Perhaps 'Lucky' could shed some light on this. It would be interesting to hear from him since I know that he has that expertise...

[leigh.bess.toad]

I was looking at Dionne Warwick's info on wikipedia. It also says that Leontyne Price was also a maternal cousin. Which means a maternal cousin to Whitney as well. I didn't know that.

[bigvalboy]

I was looking at Dionne Warwick's info on wikipedia. It also says that Leontyne Price was also a maternal cousin. Which means a maternal cousin to Whitney as well. I didn't know that.

 

Leontyne Price? What an amazing family!!! She was surrounded by absolute greatness...

[Toulouse]

She had the voice of an angel. For me, one of her last songs was one of her best. "I Look to You" was my favorite Whitney Houston song. She looked and sounded absolutely angelic when singing it:

 

[video=youtube;5Pze_mdbOK8]

[+ Axiom2001]

A potentially wonderful life filled with sadness and tragedy...Done to soon. I blame "Bobby" always have, always will.

 

I'm with you in part, but I also blame Ms. Houston as well. She was the only one who should have taken control of her life in all aspects!

[Bosguy]

I have many reasons why this news is extremely upsetting, but that involves very personal memories.

 

My one input at this time is to ask that we all concentrate on the joys this classy, beautiful woman and super star brought each of us. The rest of the garbage does not have a place at this time. Let's just hope her next journey brings her the happiness she so rightfully deserves.

 

RIP LOVELY LADY!!!!

 

Boston Bill

[bigvalboy]

I have many reasons why this news is extremely upsetting, but that involves very personal memories.

 

My one input at this time is to ask that we all concentrate on the joys this classy, beautiful woman and super star brought each of us. The rest of the garbage does not have a place at this time. Let's just hope her next journey brings her the happiness she so rightfully deserves.

 

RIP LOVELY LADY!!!!

 

Boston Bill

 

I will respect that Boston Bill, and leave all of this to another time!! Regards, BVB

[Lohengrin1979]

I have many reasons why this news is extremely upsetting, but that involves very personal memories.

 

My one input at this time is to ask that we all concentrate on the joys this classy, beautiful woman and super star brought each of us. The rest of the garbage does not have a place at this time. Let's just hope her next journey brings her the happiness she so rightfully deserves.

 

RIP LOVELY LADY!!!!

 

Boston Bill

 

I second this. She was an amazing talent and gave so much beauty to the world. I have had many, many friends succumb to the lure of drugs and excessive alcohol consumption and it's heartbreaking when it ends like this. It's so easy for those of us in the entertainment industry to self medicate instead of building the support system that gets us through the rawness and vulnerability of performing. I sincerely hope she is in a better place and her demons are at last quiet. If their is a merciful God, I know that is what He would want for her, disregarding all tallies of her mistakes, missteps, or choices. Requiescat in pace, Whitney. The world will miss you.

 

Lohengrin1979

[CowboyUp]

I haven't heard anybody, anywhere saying Whitney harmed anyone else in her path, except the hurt we all feel from losing her. I'm finding comfort and solace in remembering a beautiful woman, a tremendous artist and a courageous life. The deep love and bond that Whitney and her daughter shared shows what a fine person and mother Whitney was in spite of her problems. That's all I need to know.

[+ Lucky]

Josephga I agree in some respects with what you are saying and understand what your line of thinking is here, but in terms of addiction, though many like to simplify, it is not possible to do that. And in hindsight, I probably should retract my earlier statement about laying the blame completely at the feet of Bobby, however in my eyes my feelings on sharing responsibility stand. My second post I feel clarifies that in so much as to say that I felt that he did bear, not solely, but certainly some of the responsibility.

 

In California, I believe the law states that if a bartender continues to serves drinks to someone that they know is highly intoxicated, and that person then goes out and gets in a car and kills someone on the way home, then that bartender bears some of that responsibility. At least that is my understanding, and again I most certainly could be very incorrect here.

 

I would love to hear from a forum member 'in the know' as to the correctness of this, and who has explicit information. Perhaps 'Lucky' could shed some light on this. It would be interesting to hear from him since I know that he has that expertise...

Once again you prove that you are willing to be educated, and so once again you back off a statement that you may have made in haste. This is admirable. I thought we had agreed some posts back to focus on the good side of Whitney, and I am willing to do that. Recrimination for her behavior is out of line right now. Save it for the inquest, and today just grieve and remember the good.

 

In case you need it, though, here is a short education in dram shop law: http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-dram-shop.html- given purely as an aside, not relevant to the thread.

[bigvalboy]

I thought we had agreed some posts back to focus on the good side of Whitney, and I am willing to do that. Recrimination for her behavior is out of line right now.

 

You are absolutely correct. Bosguy and another member sent me a pm asking that I remember only the good. Going forward, I will not speak of this again. Thanks for the information that you sent, it does clarify for me some particulars.

[Pegasus]

In an industry full of pretenders with auto-tune, Whitney was the real deal. I regret never getting to see her perform live. May God bless her soul.

[+ Tygerscent]

Okay... I am not exactly a fun hater here... please help me out here... she gave us what example? another blessed talent gone to the grave by crack and meth and whatever~ Amazing talent yes... wasted... I have to cast the vote of yes there too~ Why are our modern day heros those who have had exceptional talent but then gave it all up by destroying their own lives? Judy garland, Michael jackson, Kurt Cobain, others... Could they not be great without the self destruction role model ~? Can't great people raise the bar somehow these days? Do we have to be talented and destroy ourselves to be the hero??? Where are the non self depraving, healthy role models?

She was a great talent but DAMN... WTF did she do to herself??? Cut it all short when she could have been so much more and given more??? Just wondering~

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In an industry full of pretenders with auto-tune, Whitney was the real deal. I regret never getting to see her perform live. May God bless her soul.

[RockHard]

Making sense of tragedy.

 

In an industry full of pretenders with auto-tune, Whitney was the real deal.

 

In the early days, Whitney had an instrument that was pure and rare.

 

Toulouse's example of "I Look to You" is deceiving, but IMO the signs of wear-n-tear are there. For 2009, the song is too 80's corn-dog for me, and I think the video is a cheap and cheesy production, not fitting a great star. If you listen carefully, you will hear the change in Whitney's voice, deeper and more synthesized. Not exactly "auto-tune" but digitally mastered, nonetheless, to sound like the pre-drug Whitney.

 

I haven't heard anybody, anywhere saying Whitney harmed anyone else in her path

 

It's a little too soon for certain people in the know to start dancing on the grave of a dead celebrity. Let her get buried first, then watch all the breaking news come forth. Whitney's true story is quite compelling.

 

Whitney's addiction hurt many people who loved and cared for her. The list is long and it includes some of her most loyal friends and family.

 

Addiction is hardest on those who love the deepest. At a certain point, the ones who love the most get trapped into becoming the greatest enablers.

 

she gave us what example?

 

Well, now, one could argue, if her truth ever gets told, many will read another horror story of severe drug addiction. Since there is no cure for addiction, young people need to be reminded of the dangers as often as possible. Just maybe, Whitney's story will save a few lives.

 

WTF did she do to herself?

 

As always, her story is far more complicated than a WTF. And there are no easy scientific answers. Whitney fully admitted that she was her own devil. There's more to that statement than most people can imagine.

 

Where are the...healthy role models?

 

We have plenty. And most are doing just fine. Of course some people will have to remove their blinders first.

 

Music has mysterious powers. So when a great, popular singer dies too early, and there's a tragic story attached, the pain and emotion is intensified. At least for the moment.