Whitney is finally at peace. I'm still in a bit of shock over this news, however, in a certain way I knew it was coming. Who didn't expect this end to her storied career? The actual events of my life since hearing last night have played out in pretty much the way I thought they would. When Michael Jackson died two years ago I thought, "One day this will be Whitney" but I imagined me being more like a 65 year old man, not a 35 year old man. Watching the news coverage last night and all day today is something that I feel like I knew how it would be, yet it is so surreal. "Whitney Houston dead at 48." Although I never really imagined that in my head, I feel like I have seen that title. It is such a sad ending to someone whose life has had such a profound effect on my life.
The first time I had heard of Whitney was back in the summer of 1986 when my family was on vacation up north. My aunt arrived late and came through the doors of our cottage and said, “I just heard the most amazing singer, Whitney Houston, on the radio. She is going to be a huge star.” That summer I got the Whitney Houston Whitney Houston tape for my birthday along with the Janet Control album. It was Whitney however who stole my heart, namely the song I have attached to this email, my favorite of all, a duet with Jermaine Jackson called, “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41RorsJdgaY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41RorsJdgaY&feature=related
I will never forget January 26, 1987 when at the American Music Awards I watched Whitney win 5 awards, to standing ovations and bringing down the house with "All At Once." She wore a black and white striped sequin jacket and a similar skirt, only polka dots.
That night started my fascination with Whitney. I taped those awards, and there after I taped all live performances, concerts, videos, interviews, etc. that I could with Whitney from 1987 until probably 1999(The My Love Is Your Love era). The secret to me knowing every inflection of her voice in live performances is that I would watch those videotapes over and over and over again as a kid and teen, even college student. It’s crazy that on Facebook people as far back as elementary school, who I haven’t spoken to in years, sent condolences stating that the first person they thought of was me because they remembered how much I loved Whitney. Even friends of friends I barely know and old neighborhood people sent FB condolences and said I was the first person who came to mind. My love of her is legendary I guess.
So I don’t have a profound reason as to why she touched my heart so deeply. She didn’t help me through a tragedy or a difficult time in my life. I guess more than anything liking her and admitting it wasn’t something I was ever embarrassed about, well except once.
When My Love Is Your Love came out my friend Cary and I headed over to Tower Records across from MSU’s campus to wait in line for Super Tuesday(in November) when Mariah’s #1’s, Jewel’s Christmas album, Garth Brook’s box set, and some hard hitting rapper’s latest albums were coming out. Whitney’s album was coming out too. As we were in line the girl in front of us was reading off a sign of who had cds coming out. When she got to Whitney Houston she said, "lame." I about killed her. We waited in line and as we approached people would hit the counter and tell the sales rep what they wanted. Cary got to the counter before me, “Mariah Carey’s #1s and Jewel’s Christmas cd please” he said with confidence. “Anything else” the sales rep asked. “Nope, just those.” Now it was my turn. I approached the counter having not heard one person ask for Whitney. I quietly, under my breath said, “Whitney Houst……” “Who?” the sales clerk responded. “Whitney Hou…” I said again. “Whitney Houston?” as he looked back at the roll away shelves stacked with all the cds behind the counter. He glanced. “Do we even HAVE that cd?” “Hey Mike” he screamed to the manager down the way, “Do we have Whitney Houston?” I sunk into myself. As he crawled under the counter to find one lonely box of about 20 cds in it, I became the owner of “My Love Is Your Love.” No one else that night was apparently there to buy Whitney but I sure was. I remember racing home to my house, closing my door, and listening to the cd all the way through for the first time. It was one of the last times I had that "first listen" feeling because we don't get cds that way any longer. I loved what I heard on that cd that night in November 1999.
Other fond memories include closing my eyes while driving(not safe)during “I Will Always Love You” until the boom and opening them like in the video, “I’m Your Baby Tonight” in the grocery getting with my college friends as Leanne drove us home from the bar, going to her Bodyguard tour concert with my aunt and cousin, “I Wanna Dance” performance at the 1988 Grammy Awards, singing “When You Believe” in a gazebo up north with Cary while Kristin and Becky watched, and the clips I’m attaching below. Take a look if you want. Mariah and Celine are good, but there is only one Whitney Houston.
She had troubled times for sure, that can’t be denied, but I will remember her for the megawatt smile, all of her over 400 awards (most awarded female in history), her songs, her voice, her performances and most of all, the night of January 26, 1987, when as a 10 year old boy, I fell in love with her. My heart is heavy, but I am grateful that she has left us with 25 years of music that will last forever. Be at peace now Whitney.
Whitney at her best:
Isolated vocal tracks of "How Will I Know"-absolutely stunning!
Loverman/My Man/All The Man That I Need-1991 Billboard Music Awards
The Voice during a rehearsal in 1993 singing "This Day." What she did best!
One Moment In Time performed at the 1989 Grammy Awards-Arguably her best performance ever.
The fun times. How 80's is this performance of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me"?
Whitney singing "Wonderful Counselor" with her mother and brother at the 1988 American Music Awards. Gorgeous!
Whitney singing a gorgeous love medley. One of my all time favorite performances.
Bringing down the house at the 1994 America Music Awards (she won 7 awards this night).
Whitney's best performance of all time! Only person in history to make the National Anthem a Billboard Chart hit.
2 comments:
Matt, this is seriously so sweet. I love that she has touched who you are and that you are sharing that love and joy with us. :) I feel so lucky - like in some small way she was all of that to me, too. Hugs to you, Matt...
Matt, I know you've heard this a lot over the past week, but I immediately thought of you when I heard the news. I thought of all our diner breakfasts, about driving around Lansing with you and Cary, and laughing at your love of Whitney and his love of Mariah. Such strong memories of those days after so many years. Thinking of you...
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