Whitney Houston Reportedly Dead

Terribly shocking news. From USA Today:

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Whitney Houston who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. She was 48.

Publicist Kristen Foster said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unclear.

At her peak in the 1980s and ’90s, Houston the golden girl of the music industry and one of the world’s best-selling artists.

Among her hits were “How Will I Know,” “Saving All My Love for You” and “I Will Always Love You.” She won multiple Grammys including album and record of the year.

While in the grocery store today I saw one of those ridiculous tabloids near the register claiming that Whitney was near death. I brushed it off. It pains me to know they were right.

Today’s generation of music fans only know Whitney as troubled, long-faded star. But we know better. We remember the woman with the best voice in music. The woman with the all-time best rendition of the National Anthem. The woman who was not only an amazing singer but a wonderful actress as well – The Preacher’s Wife, Waiting to Exhale and of course, The Bodyguard.

I’m as guilty as anyone of dwelling on Whitney’s mistakes and not her triumphs. Sadly that’s the way of the world. I truly hope she’s remembered for her soaring highs and not her tragic lows. Honor this woman. It’s long overdue.