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| Whitney Elizabeth Houston - This is how she looked when I first saw her |
I have many fond memories of a now defunct New York club called The Bottom Line. I was young in the 1970's and 1980's and the club was a part of my youth.
With the sad passing of Whitney Houston a memory came back to me.
I remember her doing a showcase at The Bottom Line.
It was not advertised because it was for record and music industry people to check her out. It was an early show before the regular shows started.
I heard about it because I was in a band then, and it was one of those things you often got wind of.
Someone told me to go to The Bottom Line and check out this new amazing singer.
I did. The place was packed, so I stood at the bar to watch the show.
She was skinny and pretty, very young, maybe 20 years old. It made the big beautiful voice that came out of this wisp of a girl even more amazing.
There were a lot of heavy hitters there. Was it possible that Stevie Wonder was in the audience?
Also did Barry Manilow play piano for her? Or Marc Shaiman?
It was a great show, and it made me a forever fan of Whitney's. I would go Uptown to Sweetwaters where her mother Cissy played to see if Whitney would sit in. This was just before Whitney got signed with Clive Davis.
There were a lot of heavy hitters there. Was it possible that Stevie Wonder was in the audience?
Also did Barry Manilow play piano for her? Or Marc Shaiman?
It was a great show, and it made me a forever fan of Whitney's. I would go Uptown to Sweetwaters where her mother Cissy played to see if Whitney would sit in. This was just before Whitney got signed with Clive Davis.
Today is her funeral. Her life blessed and cursed by her super talent. Her way to deal with her demons was with drugs and alcohol. She was very much loved by her family. They couldn't save her.
Flags in New Jersey are at half staff today for Whitney.
Don't judge her too harshly. There are more everyday families out there with someone close to them dealing with drug and/or alcohol issues. Genius used to be the criteria for the downward spiral and a certain inability to cope. Now ordinary stress takes a toll on millions of people of all ages and social and economic strata, people you might see everyday, people who go to school or work, people who go to church, people who are just people snagged by the horrible chemical and emotional dependency that will kill them one way or another, and cause exhausting heartache to those who love them and cannot help.
Whitney had a relatively long life. She accomplished so very much. She gave millions joy and inspiration. She had a beautiful daughter. She financially achieved success. She was respected professionally. She was loved by many, even if she could not love herself to save herself.
So let the flags fly in New Jersey today for Whitney, shared with everyone who lost the battle of the illness that is substance abuse.
My sister-in-law Dina Kucera wrote a book about everyday people. You can get it HERE
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Like a breath of fresh air at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteYou were lucky to see her back then.
It's all too sad.
Hope she now rests peacefully.
just because to me is was no surprise....
ReplyDeleteit is indeed a greet loss to our country.
she was a fine woman caught up in the grips of addition.
very sad xxx
I was never a huge fan although you can't deny the wonder of her voice. I remember the years when she became really big, she was sort of mocked for being squeaky clean and kind of boring. It was unfathomable to me that she seemed overnight to go from being a cleanskin to someone who had sunk so heavily into drugs - really out of character. What a waste of talent and a tragedy for her daughter who no doubt had already been through hell in her short life.
ReplyDeleteVery beautifully written. She had the most beautiful voice which left before she did. It has been sad to watch her spiral downward. I can imagine the heartache felt by her family. You are right she had so much promise and she did it all....maybe that was the problem...she achieved everything....so young.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to a singer that truly gave all she had to her audience, VV. I recall Whitney appearing on TV in the early days, with her aunt, Dionne, and thinking, "Wow, she seems so mature, so composed." When she fell for Bobby, I was confused, and later hoped that they would make it for the sake of their daughter. Their daughter needs more than ever to be rooted in the good things of life, and not let this early passing of her mom haunt her forever.
ReplyDeleteRIP Whitney.
Still have tears in my eyes from just reading about her service...so much love there for her. Such a sad loss.
ReplyDeletexo J~
Whitney's greatest legacy will be her love for Our Lord. No matter what, she held on and found her strength in Him. We don't know what happened in her last days. Don't believe all the hype. Don't judge.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post Valorie. Pamela has good words too!
ReplyDeletexo
A beautifully written tribute for a beautiful and beloved talent. Thanks for sharing your memory of her with us Valorie. As a seventh grader, hers was the first concert I ever attended and it too, made me a forever fan of Whitney.
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