It was shock this evening when I returned home from a long day at work to learn from the TV that pop superstar Whitney Houston was dead at 48. Reports say she was found at the Beverly Hills Hilton, in a fourth floor room unresponsive. Paramedics were unable to revive her. How very sad was it unexpected I don't know, after the whole circus surrounding Michael Jackson's untimely demise in 2009 I guess nothing surprises me. Her behavior and demeanor over the last decade have certainly made us all wonder.... what the #$(@!% is up with Whitney Houston. She was no longer the Queen of Pop a title she seemed to hold since the early 80's when she blew onto the music charts with a one of a kind powerhouse voice that kept her at the top of the entertainment world well into the nineties.
It was then after hit after hit on the music charts, a string of so-so movies including "The Bodyguard" a film that makes me vomit, "The Preacher's Wife" an all black remake of a Loretta Young classic, and one other one about black women with empowerment issues...... yawn, that things got sketchy for Ms. Houston oh and she also married thug singer Bobby Brown around this time. He was the driver that propelled her career south way sour like South America south. Drugs, Alcohol, Drugs, loser husband in and out of jail, drugs, booze, pills, domestic abuse, a bad make that very bad reality show, an over weight daughter, pills, booze, sweaty I mean dripping wet sweaty public performances with no knowledge of lyrics it goes on and on. A once beloved entertainer became a running joke in the industry and no one stepped in to help. Not family, not friends, not Dear Aunty Dionne Warwick she was to busy with her own drug issues and her psychic friends hotline. No one said 'Hey Miss Whitney you're a coked up, booze swilling mess, you need help!' Not even mentor and world renowned music producer and fossil Clive Davis lifted a finger. Well today Whitney became the latest on a long list of gone to soon.
A view I have always had as a contemporary of those who rose to fame in the eighties, ( I was in the mix) is that there were three main musical icons that came from the decade. Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Madonna. Sure there were many other big names from the eighties, but these three were the big three. Anyway all three careers intertwined Michael was the King of Pop, he was adored by all, he was also a freakin' weirdo, Whitney was the Queen of Pop, with a voice that could move mountains, open seas, and do no wrong, or so we thought. Hmmmm and then there was Madonna, a cheesy slut from Detroit who had a mediocre voice, and an uncanny knack for setting fashion trends with each new vocal release, she was the bad girl, the neighborhood nasty girl. Well well how things have worked out thirty years later. Michael is dead, Whitney is dead both due to bad life choices whether direct or indirect. Pills, booze, Dr. Conrad Murray..... bad choices that lead to premature death.
That leaves the bad girl. She doesn't seem so bad after all her music may have pushed sexuality in our faces, yes but never have I been aware of any illicit drug fueled orgies with small children, weekend throw downs with ex-lovers, or Airport run ins with the law over a stash of mary-jane in her lipstick tube. Instead we have a savvy woman in her early 50's that looks fabulous, continues to record and sell music worldwide, has three children, just directed her first movie, did the Superbowl halftime show well, and continues to carry on a feud with the Queen of England, Elton John. Not bad for a talentless girl from Detroit.
For the record I own no Whitney Houston CD's, I have one Michael Jackson CD, and I have all of Madonna's CD's. I have a collection of over 500 CD's.
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