HOUSTON, TX – February 14, 2012 – In 1974, a pretty, 11-year-old girl, stood up in front of her church congregation to sing, “Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah.” Her name was Whitney Houston. Twelve years later, she told EBONY/JET Showcase, “When I decided to become a singer I was 12. I knew this was what I wanted to do. I knew that God have given me something,” she emphasized, “and that I ought to use it.”
With Aretha Franklin as a godmother, Cissy Houston as her mother and an extremely large musical family, it is not surprising that this little girl had big dreams.
But now those dreams are over.
Saturday, February 11, just prior the 2012 Grammy Awards, Whitney Houston, just 48, died tragically and unexpectedly. Police have not released the probable cause of death, but state that they suspect no foul play. More details are forthcoming, and an official cause of death could take up to six weeks to determine.
Earlier that afternoon, Houston had been preparing to sing at mentor Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where she was staying. Her body was discovered in the bathroom of her hotel room by a family member. She had apparently been getting ready for her forthcoming appearance.
In a move many have deemed callous and distasteful, the pre-Grammy party which Houston had planned to sing at went forward as scheduled, despite the fact that Houston's body – declared lifeless at 4:00 PM, just hours before the extravaganza was set to begin – still rested just rooms away as police investigated her death scene.
This angered many of Houston's friends and colleagues, who felt the party should have been canceled out of respect for the deceased, and to preserve the solemnity of the evening.
"It's very sad that commercialism and sponsorship obligations place profit before the memory of a tremendous and fragile artist like Houston," Hollywood producer, Edward Paige, told FOX411's “Pop Tarts” column. "Everyone is quick to tweet their support, or pay tribute, or offer a quote, but where are these labels, managers and friends when the artist is alive and in crisis? An artist like Houston that gave the world so much deserved better."
Nevertheless, celebrities turned out in droves to the pre-party. Among their number were Kim Kardashian, Amber Rose, and Britney Spears.
“She graced this stage with her regal presence so many times,” Clive Davis said at the event. “Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked us to carry on.”
There were several stars who did conscientiously decline to attend Davis' party – or any pre-Grammy party for that matter – out of respect for the fallen star. These included Taylor Swift, Sharon Osbourne, and Miley Cyrus.
According to PR and media expert Gene Grabowski of Levick Strategic Communications, the celebrants at the bash should not be faulted for their revelries, despite the fact that there was an ongoing police investigation – not to mention a body – just floors above them.
"I'm sure most of them who knew Whitney would say that she would have wanted them to continue," Grabowski stated. "Still, the celebrants would have done better to present a more somber and respectful picture of themselves at the party. Those celebrities who chose to stay home rather than attend the party deserve special recognition, but their actions shouldn't cast the actions of the celebrants in a poor light."
FOX News reported, “By Sunday afternoon, when the Grammy ceremony began at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the atmosphere was still one of confusion, as stars seemed at a loss for how to respond to the news. One recording academy employee addressed the audience just prior to the live telecast, acknowledging Houston's death but also noting that it wasn't something they wanted to ‘over do.’
However, LL Cool J wasn’t one to mince words on behalf of Houston. The Grammy host launched the awards ceremony with a moving prayer and dedication, before even welcoming the posh audience to the show.
His sentiments were amplified by Jennifer Hudson's stunning and emotional performance of “I Will Always Love You,” at the end of which Hudson choked back tears and sang, “Whitney, we love … we love you.” Hudson's solemn grace lent her performance an ingenuous quality, making it an absolutely unforgettable and stunning homage to the fallen icon.
Jennifer Hudson Performs “I Will Always Love You”:
After it was revealed that Whitney's daughter was hospitalized for stress and shock due to the loss of her mother, Bobby Brown released a statement. "At this time,” he wrote, “we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina … I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time."
No doubt, Houston led a tumultuous life, veering between a glamorous world of almost unparalleled beauty and success on the one hand, and shadowed by drug addiction and emotional pain on the other. Yet in the end, music history will remember her as one of the most influential, inspired, and noteworthy vocalists of her time.
In the words of Houston's song:
“Bittersweet memories – that is all I'm taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don't cry … I will always love you.”
Houston's funeral will be by invitation only, and held at the same church – New Hope Baptist – where once a pretty little girl sang, “Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah,” filling her family and congregation with awe and pride.
ABC Interview with Whitney Houston on Drugs and the Anxiety of Performing:
About Jennifer Grassman:
Singer, songwriter and pianist, Jennifer Grassman is an award-winning recording artist based in Houston, Texas. Subscribe by RSS feed and read more from Jennifer atwww.JenniferGrassman.com. You can follow Jennifer on @Jgrassman orFacebook.com/JenniferGrassmanMusic
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