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| Whitney Houston: 1963-2012 |
In 1977, the world knew little of what would come of the 14 year old girl who performed as a back-up singer for Michael Zager's band. It wasn't until 1985 that her first single was even released. However, once Whitney Houston's name hit the airwaves she was no longer "just Whitney". This Jersey girl grew from background vocals to cover girl and recording artist to executive producer in an era where African American artists (especially women) were severely underestimated in American media. Whitney's contribution to American pop culture expanded much farther than her fashion missteps and personal challenges. In hindsight, Houston's 27 year career, which was often discredited by emotional turmoil, broke the boundaries pop culture had imposed on non-white talent and revolutionized the industry just as MTV was taking off.
Aside from her first single becoming a Top 5 R&B hit, Whitney Houston's early successes were numerous and noteworthy. As her name crooned through the airwaves, reviews by the New York Times quickly transitioned her fame from the exclusive R&B industry to more mainstream performances on late-night talk shows. Her third U.S. single, "How Will I Know", introduced her to the audience of MTV through the accompaniment of a music video. Shortly thereafter, she began to gain popularity and soon became the first African American, female artist to receive consistent rotation on MTV.
The next few years were filled with week-long Billboard 200 chart hits and several American Music Awards. She also gained notoriety for her activism in support of Nelson Mandela and the anti-South African apartheid movement, refusing to do any modeling work with agencies that did businesses with South Africa. In 1989, Houston formed The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, a non-profit that raised funds for the needs of children all over the world. Her global issues involvement continued following a critically acclaimed performance of the Star Spangled Banner at Superbowl XXV. When the track was later released as a commercial single, all proceeds went to the American Red Cross Gulf Crisis Fund gaining Houston praise and the recognition of being named to the Red Cross Board of Governors. The song was re-released following the September 11th attacks and proceeds were once again used for philanthropic purposes.
Even her ventures onto the silver screen had an impact on pop culture. In Houston's first film, The Bodyguard (1992), she played a star seeking protection against a crazed fan alongside Kevin Costner. This film was especially significant because it did not address the interracial quality of the film. A Wikipedia description of this film perhaps described it best when it said, "Houston's mainstream appeal allowed people to look at the movie color-blind." Along with being hugely successful at the box office, The Bodyguard soundtrack inspired a lead single ("I Will Always Love You"), a world tour and a place on the Billboard top 100 for 14 consecutive weeks.
In the years that followed, Whitney Houston's career was filled with significant moments. In 1995, she accepted a role to play TV producer Savannah Jackson in Waiting to Exhale because she saw the film as "a breakthrough for the image of black women because it presents them both as professionals and as caring mothers." This film was also successful and "proved that a movie primarily targeting a black audience, can cross over to success".
Apart from her philanthropic efforts and unforgettable range, Whitney Houston's impact on the music industry will forever be her legacy. If Michael Jackson can be credited for breaking down the color barrier for black male artists, then Whitney Houston was his female counterpart. Recording artist Anita Baker has been quoted as saying, "Because of what Whitney...did, there was an opening for me...for radio stations, black women aren't taboo anymore."
Houston's awards have earned her a place in history as the most awarded female artist of all time and she will remain a legend for her efforts in changing the music industry and the world. As news reports develop the details of her final days, it is essential that she be remembered for her achievements and talent over the personal struggles that extinguished the voice that every other talent was compared against.
Let's celebrate Whitney by remembering her influence as a performer. What was your favorite Whitney song/ moment?
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