I was drowsy, going in and out of consciousness, when I learned of her passing. I'd fallen asleep in bed with the television on, so my lethargy was from exhaustion, and not drug induced like Whitney Houston's life had become in recent... uh... decades. Still, her death comes as a surprise. To me as well as the world over.
For those unaware of her fame, specifically fans of today's bubble gum-cookie cutter pop icons instead of artists of substance, Whitney Houston rose to fame in the mid-80's and garnered herself many gold and platinum albums. She coined the phrase "The children are our future" from her song "The Greatest Love of All". Practically a child, her first album, the self-titled "Whitney Houston" debuted when the singer was just twenty-one years of age. So in a sense, she's matured before the world.
It was throughout the early part of her career, that she was able to ascend to superstardom through her music and movie appearances, acting in films like "Waiting To Exhale" and "The Preacher's Wife" (which paid her an astounding $10M, a lot of dough at the time).
She married former "New Edition" member, Bobby Brown, who was a success in his own solo career, with hits like "My Prerogative" (later covered by Britney Spears) and "On Our Own" featured in Ghostbusters II (1989). However, life with Bobby wasn't all that it was cracked up to be (pardon the pun).
It seemed like her life and career after that union came to be, quickly began to spin out of control. The relationship and marriage was rocky, even at the best of times, and the only real success the duo had, came with the birth of their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown (1993). Reports of improprieties began to flow into the media, like a rushing waterfall. For a time, you couldn't turn on the television without viewing reports of their crazed drug-induced antics. Two personalities who'd once held the world in the palm of their hands, were now the dirty crusties found under your couch. The picture above is the best illustration I could produce that showed the tremendous "before and after" affects of the drugs. Undeniably, Whitney Houston was once a vibrant beauty queen with a face that could launch a thousand ships. Look at that gorgeous smile. Then look at the inset of what a horrible hag she'd become. A true American-tragedy.
Though she'd attempt many comebacks over the years, I don't think she ever truly shook the drugs. I can't say that I know what she sounded like the past five or ten years, but I'm willing to bet that it failed exponentially when compared to her former prowess.
As I read the reports of Whitney's passing, I am a little bothered by the instant assumption that foul play must've been involved. I see the term "criminal intent" repeated throughout the media circus. A concept now being tossed up by fellow celebrities. Without viewing all the facts, I am confident in reporting to the world that there was NO CRIMINAL INTENT, unless you include the dealer who sold the drugs to Whitney Houston. In the weeks to come, after the autopsy and all the tests come back, it will be revealed that Whitney Houston died of a drug overdose. That's how all the great ones seem to die. Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, John Belushi, Janis Joplin and even that child molester, Michael Jackson, all died due to the monkey on their backs.
I don't understand the need for drugs, especially when you're someone famous. They always say it's the pressure of the business. Bullshit. I've worked in retail. THERE'S pressure. People yelling at you and treating you like shit. The lives of singers and actors... Pressure? You're a f*cking singer, for Christ's sake. You sing! That's it! You do what you love! Where's the pressure?
Although, I have never been a fan of her music. That genre failing to meld with the likes of the styles I prefer to listen to, it doesn't mean I can't appreciate true artistry. One of her greatest hits, was a song originally recorded by country crooner, Dolly Parton, "I Will Always Love You", from the movie (and a personal favourite of mine), "The Bodyguard", starring Kevin Costner. I think despite the way her life ended, she will go down in the annuls of history as one of the true great ones, continuing to be loved, ALWAYS.
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