In Memoriam
Whitney Houston
August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012 · aged 48
Pop · R&B · Soul
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was universally known simply as 'The Voice.' Born in New Jersey in 1963 into a premier musical family (her mother was Cissy Houston, her cousin Dionne Warwick, and her godmother Aretha Franklin), she possessed a generational vocal talent that bridged the gap between gospel, R&B, and global pop. In the 1980s and 90s, she was arguably the biggest pop star on the planet, breaking records with seven consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits. Her defining moment came with her starring role in 'The Bodyguard' and her soaring, definitive rendition of Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You.' Despite her flawless public image and staggering success, Houston battled deeply publicized struggles with drug addiction and a turbulent marriage to Bobby Brown. Tragically, she accidentally drowned in a Beverly Hills hotel bathtub on February 11, 2012, at the age of 48. Her passing silenced one of the purest, most spectacular voices in the history of recorded music.
Milestones
I Will Always Love You, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, The Bodyguard Soundtrack
Chart legacy
- 1985: Saving All My Love For You (UK #21), Saving All My Love for You (US #23), You Give Good Love (US #47)
- 1986: How Will I Know (US #6), Greatest Love of All (US #11)
- 1987: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) (UK #3), I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) (DE #4), I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) (US #4), Didn't We Almost Have It All (US #22)
- 1988: So Emotional (US #6), One Moment in Time (DE #19), Love Will Save the Day (DE #35)
- 1990: I'm Your Baby Tonight (DE #37)
- 1991: All the Man That I Need (US #16), All the Man That I Need (UK #32), I'm Your Baby Tonight (US #42), All the Man That I Need (DE #48)
- 1992: I Will Always Love You (UK #1), I Will Always Love You (DE #19)
- 1993: I Will Always Love You (US #1), I Will Always Love You (UK #4), I Will Always Love You (DE #8), I Have Nothing (US #30), I'm Every Woman (US #39)
- 1996: Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (US #14), Count On Me (US #36)
- 1999: Heartbreak Hotel (US #4), My Love Is Your Love (DE #5), My Love Is Your Love (UK #28), It's Not Right but It's Okay (US #42), My Love Is Your Love (US #45)
- 2000: Could I Have This Kiss Forever (DE #37), My Love Is Your Love (US #38)
- 2019: Higher Love (UK #28)
Also remembered in 2012
- Adam Yauch (MCA) (1964–2012)
- Davy Jones (1945–2012)
- Donna Summer (1948–2012)
- Etta James (1938–2012)