Whitney Houston: A Voice Borrowed from Heaven

Sometime during the mid-1980's I experienced Whitney Houston's voice for the first time. I don't even recall what song it was but the impact was remarkable. As Ms. Houston's lyrics exited my car's speakers and entered my ears it was as though they were produced by an angel. The sweet sounds that her voice elicited defied logic. A myriad of positive emotions, much like an endorphin high, coursed through my body. How could someone's voice be so pure, the range so broad yet effortless, and at the same time incredibly powerful and fluid?

Unfortunately, I will forever remember the details linking February 11, 2012 with Whitney Houston's death. As I sat in our living room at a little past 8 PM Central Time, my wife broke the news. "Whitney Houston died. No details given". As a recovering addict- sober from alcohol now nearly six years and by the grace of God- I knew instantly what had killed her. Whitney had just participated in rehab again within the past year, for the third time. The demons had taken her away. "What a waste" was all I could muster in response.

Whitney Houston's journey into a musically-gifted family commenced on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. Her mother, Cissy Houston, was a talented gospel vocalist. Whitney's cousin was Dionne Warwick and her god-mother Aretha Franklin. Pretty good genes. The young Houston's talents manifested themselves during her childhood and she became a mainstay in the New York City musical scene by her teen years.

Record moghul Clive Davis heard Houston perform in 1983 and signed her to a contract instantly. Ironically, she was slated to perform at his annual pre-Grammy party within the Beverly Hilton Hotel- where she passed- the night following her demise. Arista Records launched Whitney Houston's self-titled, debut album in 1985 and it spawned #1 hits such as The Greatest Love of all and How Will I Know?. Her second vinyl, Whitney, hit store shelves in 1987 and went 9X platinum in sales. She won six Grammies during her career and sold over 170 millions albums and cd's. This according to www.whitneyhouston.com, the official website for the entertainer.

Houston made a successful transition to film acting in 1992, co-starring with Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard and the soundtrack went 17X platinum in the U.S. alone, garnered a Grammy for Album of the Year and produced several hits. She also co-starred in Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife, as well as several made-for-television movies. She had just wrapped up shooting on the film Sparkle which has an August, 2012 tentative release date.

Although signs were manifesting themselves in her appearance and behavior for years, a darker side of Whitney Houston became public during a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey. The singer/actress revealed that, subsequent to her 1992 marriage to vocalist Bobbi Brown, she had become ensnared within a second relationship to drugs and alcohol. By 1996 and the shooting of The Preacher's Wife with Denzell Washington, an addiction had taken hold. As it is with many young and uber-talented musicians and actors, at some point the devil had come to collect on her soul. In Whitney's case, the Evil One dangled the carrot of alcohol and cocaine in front of her face.

On three occasions Whitney put herself through rehab for these issues; most recently in 2011. Healthy-appearing once more, she launched a comeback in 2009. She and Brown had a daughter together, Bobbi Kristina, who is now 18. After a tumultuous relationship between Whitney and her spouse, they divorced in 2007. The culmination of their dysfunctional marriage was exemplified in the 2005 reality show they shared, Being Bobbi Brown, in which they both appeared under the influence of some substance most of the time. In addition, her body had become rail-thin and tabloid rumors abounded.

According to Houston's official website, www.whitneyhouston.com, The Guiness Book of World Records lists her as the "most awarded female artist of all time". I look at her many and varied successes and still can only think "what a waste".

The greatest Whitney moment for me came prior to the 1991 NFL Super Bowl when she took the stage and proceeded to send the singing of America's National Anthem to unhuman levels. Upon hearing of her tragic death I accessed YouTube's file of her performance, watched and listened. Just as when I first heard that incredible rendition of the song I've heard a thousand times, I felt chills and goosebumps; and then tears began to well up in my eyes. It is to this day the most beautiful, awe-inspiring and magical performance of the Star Spangled Banner that I've ever experienced....by far.

Today, God has added another voice to His angelic choir. Thanks for letting us borrow it.