Yesterday we lost another treasure in the music industry. As someone pointed out via twitter “@phontigallo Worst Black History Month EVER.” We lost Ms. Etta James in January, Don Cornelius earlier this month and now Whitney Houston. She had one of the most powerful voices I had ever heard. She is known for singing the Star Spangled Anthem at Super Bowl XXV like no other. I remember her from the movie The Bodyguard and remember having that soundtrack on heavy rotation as well as the soundtrack from The Preacher's Wife. She was what I considered one of those artists who didn't need a backup dancers or special effects to keep her audience engaged. All she had to do was open her mouth and that VOICE would just put you in a trance and for the most part make you get goosebumps. I honestly would feel sorry for anyone who had to do a duet with Whitney (such as Mariah Carey) because Whitney's voice would just out shine the other people.
Since news of her death came out, more info is "somewhat" suggesting especially from different media outlets that drug use might have played a part in her death. When I look back on her life I can't help but think about how drug use has messed up her life and that voice. If you had heard her in the recent years, you could tell her voice had been ravaged from her poor health. In a way it reminds me of Michael Jackson. You had two phenomenally gifted people who unfortunately were brought down (not yet deemed official in Whitney's case) by drugs.
It's amazing me to see the people I grew up on leaving whether it be suddenly or through old age. I know heaven is straight kickin it now. When I get there I know the first thing I'm gonna do is buy a ticket so I can see all performances that I missed in life (Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, The Rat Pack, Luther Vandross, and so many others) with Don Cornelius as the Master of Ceremony . All I can say and hope is that her soul is in a better place and you will be missed.
