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Music Industry Mourns Icon Houston

Singers, critics, pros all call her one of greatest ever

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 12, 2012 7:06 AM CST

(Newser) – Tributes are pouring in for the career of the late Whitney Houston, after her shocking death yesterday, focusing on her uniquely powerful voice and incredible catalogue of hits. A sampling:

  • "At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry," praised Billboard. "She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen."
  • "A light has been dimmed in our music community today," said the president of the Recording Academy, calling Houston "one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time."

  • "First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all," said her ex-husband Bobby Brown, while performing a show in Mississippi hours after Houston's death, according to the AP. "Second, I would like to say, I love you, Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage."
  • "She was the most beautiful woman I think I ever saw," said Elton John at a Las Vegas concert. "Thank you for giving us your talent, and one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard."
  • "She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth," tweeted Mariah Carey.
Check out scenes from yesterday and Houston's storied career in the gallery, or Billboard and Rolling Stone have the own.

In this May 10, 1986, file photo, American singer Whitney Houston belts out a song during her segment of a benefit concert at Boston Garden. Houston died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, she was 48.
In this May 10, 1986, file photo, American singer Whitney Houston belts out a song during her segment of a benefit concert at Boston Garden. Houston died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, she was 48.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Elvis Costello and Diana Krall are seen outside the back entrance to the Beverly Hilton, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Elvis Costello and Diana Krall are seen outside the back entrance to the Beverly Hilton, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Beverly Hills, Calif.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Alicia Keys hugs Clive Davis, right, as Swizz Beatz looks on at the loading dock outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Alicia Keys hugs Clive Davis, right, as Swizz Beatz looks on at the loading dock outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Beverly Hills, Calif.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson leave the Pre-Grammy Gala at the backdoor of the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson leave the Pre-Grammy Gala at the backdoor of the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Bret Hartman)
Tony Bennett leaves the 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala late Feburary 11, 2012. Whitney Houston was found dead at a Beverly Hilton hotel earlier in the day.
Tony Bennett leaves the 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala late Feburary 11, 2012. Whitney Houston was found dead at a Beverly Hilton hotel earlier in the day.   (Getty Images)
Sir Richard Branson is seen at the loading dock outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel Saturday Feb. 11, 2012.
Sir Richard Branson is seen at the loading dock outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel Saturday Feb. 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
In this March 25, 2001 file photo, Bobby Brown and then-wife Whitney Houston arrive at Vanity Fair's Oscar party at Morton's on Sunday, March 25, 2001.
In this March 25, 2001 file photo, Bobby Brown and then-wife Whitney Houston arrive at Vanity Fair's Oscar party at Morton's on Sunday, March 25, 2001.   (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)
Whitney Houston performs during the Billboard Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, 1998. Houston died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at the age of 48.
Whitney Houston performs during the Billboard Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, 1998. Houston died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at the age of 48.   (AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau)
Signage seen on the streets of Manhattan's Time Square on February 11, 2012 in New York City.
Signage seen on the streets of Manhattan's Time Square on February 11, 2012 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
In this Oct. 21, 1998 file photo, Muhammad Ali is greeted by Whitney Houston as he arrives at Radio City Music Hall to accept a GQ Men of the Year Award.
In this Oct. 21, 1998 file photo, Muhammad Ali is greeted by Whitney Houston as he arrives at Radio City Music Hall to accept a GQ "Men of the Year" Award.   (AP Photo/Mitch Jacobson, File)
In this Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, file photo, Whitney Houston performs at the 37th Annual American Music Awards. Houston died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.
In this Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, file photo, Whitney Houston performs at the 37th Annual American Music Awards. Houston died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
In this Oct. 13, 1997 file photo, Whitney Houston looks over her shoulder as husband Bobby Brown looks to her at the premiere of the movie Cinderella.
In this Oct. 13, 1997 file photo, Whitney Houston looks over her shoulder as husband Bobby Brown looks to her at the premiere of the movie "Cinderella."   (AP Photo/Rene Macura, File)
In this Jan. 26, 1998 file photo, Whitney Houston celebrates her win at the American Music Awards with her mother, Cissy, and brother, Gary, at the Shrine Auditorium.
In this Jan. 26, 1998 file photo, Whitney Houston celebrates her win at the American Music Awards with her mother, Cissy, and brother, Gary, at the Shrine Auditorium.   (AP photo/Reed Saxon, File)
In this Sept. 10, 1998 file photo, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston present the award for Best Male Video during the MTV Video Music Awards.
In this Sept. 10, 1998 file photo, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston present the award for Best Male Video during the MTV Video Music Awards.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
In this July 11, 1999, file photo, singer Whitney Houston performs Until You Come Back To Me during the American Music Awards.
In this July 11, 1999, file photo, singer Whitney Houston performs "Until You Come Back To Me" during the American Music Awards.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
In this Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, singer Whitney Houston sings with her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown on 'Good Morning America' in New York.
In this Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, singer Whitney Houston sings with her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown on 'Good Morning America' in New York.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)
In this July 25, 1984, file photo, Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson sing during a rehearsal for As the World Turns in New York.
In this July 25, 1984, file photo, Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson sing during a rehearsal for "As the World Turns" in New York.   (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)
In this Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, Whitney Houston performs on 'Good Morning America' in Central Park in New York.
In this Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, Whitney Houston performs on 'Good Morning America' in Central Park in New York.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
In this Nov. 25, 2002, file photo, singer Whitney Houston smiles at husband Bobby Brown, during a court hearing in Dekalb County State Court in Decatur, Ga.
In this Nov. 25, 2002, file photo, singer Whitney Houston smiles at husband Bobby Brown, during a court hearing in Dekalb County State Court in Decatur, Ga.   (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser, File)
In this Nov. 22, 2009, file photo, Whitney Houston receives the International Artist Award onstage at the 37th Annual American Music Awards.
In this Nov. 22, 2009, file photo, Whitney Houston receives the International Artist Award onstage at the 37th Annual American Music Awards.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
In this May 23, 2003 file photo, Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown perform during the VH1 Divas duets show.
In this May 23, 2003 file photo, Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown perform during the "VH1 Divas" duets show.   (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta, File)
In this Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, Whitney Houston performs on 'Good Morning America' in New York's Central Park.
In this Sept. 1, 2009 file photo, Whitney Houston performs on 'Good Morning America' in New York's Central Park.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)
In this Oct. 28, 2006, file photo, Whitney Houston arrives at the 17th Carousel of Hope Ball benefiting the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Beverly Hills.
In this Oct. 28, 2006, file photo, Whitney Houston arrives at the 17th Carousel of Hope Ball benefiting the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Beverly Hills.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Whitney Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown arrive at the Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons with Clive Davis on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills.
Whitney Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown arrive at the Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons with Clive Davis on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Clive Davis shares a moment with Whitney Houston at last year's pre-Grammy Gala, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Beverly Hills.
Clive Davis shares a moment with Whitney Houston at last year's pre-Grammy Gala, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Beverly Hills.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Whitney Houston performs with Dionne Warwick at last year's Pre-Grammy Gala, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Whitney Houston performs with Dionne Warwick at last year's Pre-Grammy Gala, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Whitney Houston performs on stage during a concert in Zurich, Switzerland, Sunday, May 9, 2010.
Whitney Houston performs on stage during a concert in Zurich, Switzerland, Sunday, May 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)
Whitney Houston performs at the O2 Arena in London as part of her European tour, Sunday, April 25, 2010.
Whitney Houston performs at the O2 Arena in London as part of her European tour, Sunday, April 25, 2010.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
In this CD Cover image released by Arista records, I Look to You, by Whitney Houston, is shown.
In this CD Cover image released by Arista records, "I Look to You," by Whitney Houston, is shown.   (AP Photo/Arista)
Whitney Houston gestures after being introduced at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.
Whitney Houston gestures after being introduced at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/ Matt Sayles)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
HMunster
Feb 12, 2012 11:43 AM CST
Best... Star-Spangled Banner...  EVER! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llFZT6CTXz8

 
Elton John • obituary • Rolling Stone • eulogies • Recording Academy • Whitney Houston • Bobby Brown • appreciation • Billboard magazine • Whitney Houston dead

 
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