Whitney Houston: Why we loved her (and always will)
The tragic news of Whitney Houston's death rocked not just the music industry, but millions of fans across the world, many of whom grew up with Whitney as the soundtrack to their youth.
We look back at the moments and songs that defined the singer's life...
Rex FeaturesWhitney Houston1963-2012
Rex FeaturesWhitney Houston was born into a musical New Jersey family. Her mother Cissy Houston was a singing superstar of the gospel scene, her cousin was Dionne Warwick and Whitney’s godmother was legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin. After singing backing vocals for Chaka Chan in the late 70s, alongside a successful modelling career, Whitney was signed to the Arista record label and her debut album Whitney Houston was released in 1985. It was a huge success. Rolling Stone magazine wrote of Houston, "one of the most exciting new voices in years". The album featured classic hits including; All At Once, Greatest Love of All and Saving All My Love For You – which became her first number one in the UK and the US. From this, a superstar was born...
Rex FeaturesThe 1986 Grammy Awards saw her win her first major award for Best Pop Vocal Performance with her song Saving All My Love For You.
After this she would win two Emmy Awards, five further Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music Awards.
Redferns1987 saw the release of her second album Whitney, which featured major hits Didn’t We Almost Have it All, So Emotional, Where Do All The Broken Hearts Go. GLAMOUR's favourite school disco hit I Wanna Dance With Somebody was also featured on this album...
Rex FeaturesIt’s still a favourite on our decks...
Rex FeaturesIn 1990 I’m Your Baby Tonight was released, Whitney’s third album featuring the hit title track and My Name is Not Susan.
Rex FeaturesRomance blossomed for Whitney when she met R&B star Bobby Brown. The couple married in 1992 and, a year later, Whitney gave birth to daughter Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown. Tragically Bobbi died in similar circumstances just a few years later.
Rex FeaturesBobby and Whitney’s marriage was high-profile and, while not always for the right reasons, there were happy times too. Here they are pictured on a heavily documented trip to Israel when Whitney Houston claimed: "I've never felt like this in any other country. I feel at home, I feel wonderful.”
Rex FeaturesIn 1992 Whitney was cast in the lead role of the movie The Bodyguard. Starring opposite Kevin Costner the movie was a major hit and ultimately ranks as one of the top 100 grossing films of all time. Houston sang the soundtrack single I Will Always Love You, a cover of Dolly Parton’s original version from 1974. It was beyond huge. Every girl in her teens owned the single; we slow danced to it, sang it in front of the mirror and cried to it when our hearts were broken.
Rex FeaturesOne of the most shocking stories to hit the entertainment press in later years were the rumours of Whitney’s drug addiction. Whitney’s USP was her clean-cut image. But sadly it looked as if the rumours were true, and the effect of drugs took a toll on her voice, looks and career after an interview on US TV show Good Morning America where she admitted to drug taking.
Rex FeaturesA performance on UK talent show X Factor caused controversy, but the star was held in such high regard and her songs often interpreted on the show, so we all forgave her.
Rex FeaturesWhitney Houston supported many charities and causes in her life including Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement, United Negro College Fund, The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children, Welcome Home Heroes and in the UK The Princes Trust.
At the pre-Grammy party on February 11 2012, Whitney did not show up. The party quickly turned into a tribute to the star on learning of her tragic death just hours before. Her long time friend and head of Arista records Clive Davis said: "By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney's passing. I don't have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn't scheduled to perform. Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on.”
Rex FeaturesShe was without doubt one of the most successful (she sold over 200 million albums and singles) and much-loved female artists of all time. Here she is pictured with her daughter Bobbi just weeks before her death. Bobbi passed away on 26 July 2015.
