She began
her singing career in the church and later moved over to the nightclubs of New
York where Clive Davies, a music producer spotted her. Whitney did some modeling
jobs before she was signed on by Arista Records. Her debut album “Whitney
Houston” was released in February, 1985 and it was a commercial success. A
track “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” from her 1987 album was a
monster hit in Nigeria, the most populous black nation. She won her first
Grammy in 1986. She has also won many other awards all over the world.
By far, the
most popular and widely accepted Whitney Houston single that cut across race,
age and social status is “I Will Always Love You” which was originally written
and performed by the country music superstar, Dolly Parton. This single by
Whitney is still reputed as the best selling single by a female artiste of all
time.
Generally, Whitney
Houston has sold more than 170 million records in her lifetime and she is still
selling! She has won 6 Grammys, 22 American Music Awards and 30 Billboard
Awards before she died on 11th February, 2012. Apart from music Whitney
has also featured in three popular films: “The Preacher’s Wife”, “The Bodyguard”
and “Waiting To Exhale”.
Nevertheless,
Whitney Houston had a negative side, just like any other mortal. Alcohol and drug
use over the years have been her greatest demons. She struggled with the help
of her family members, especially her mother, to conquer her demons up to no
avail. On the other hand, her one and half decade marriage to R & B singer
Bobby Brown which ended in 2007 was volatile, though it produced a lovely
daughter, Bobbi Kristina who incidentally was with her in the Beverly Hilton
Hotel where she was found dead in the bath on Saturday, February 11, 2012.
Emeka E.
Okeke
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