Breaking news on Sky TV...dead at 48...

RIP

TMZ just broke the news here...
A train wreck these last few years...
but anyone can fall into a living nightmare...

RIP Whitney!!

Oh My God...........this is terrible news.

Sad. RIP Whitney. Hope you finally find some peace.

I always figured Bobby Brown would die first. Keith outlives another one.

I heard... disappointing and saddening. Say what you will about Mariah Carey and some others but nobody had pipes like Whitney Houston. As an example.. her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner before the Superbowl is the best of em all.


- Best female vocalist I've ever heard from a technical stand-point.



Ian

really sad news, too young to die

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57376028/singer-whitney-houston-dies-at-48/

Ian Billen wrote on Feb 11^th, 2012 at 8:26pm:

- Best female vocalist I've ever heard from a technical stand-point. Ian

No, her relative Dionne Warwick was.  By all goddam stand points - technical, black-smack, Ecclesiastical, biblical, gospel, Stax/Volt, hushie hushie, and soul.  Listen to everything Dionne Warwick ever sang.  Do it.  Take this opportunity!

Sad news about Whitney Houston, in any case.  Too young to be dying on what was probably something as sad as the most useless, gayest drug known to mankind - derivative cocaine.  That stuff can turn the life of a beautiful woman into a perpetual sad, confused, scared, ugly, angry existence.

Really sad. :( And not really a surprise, I guess. I was hoping she could make it out of the darkness she found herself in so often...:(

Young people with habits and addictions, and incredible talents as well, have a certain way of dying young.

Rest in peace, W.

Very sad news....RIP ......

An incredible vocal talent. One of the very best. Rest in peace, Whitney

Rest in Peace Whitney. Adddictions are a bad karma. but too young to die

I just read the news.  I thought she was doing fine...she had a movie out recently.   Another great talent gone too soon.  

RIP Whitney Houston.

I never heard this, I was shocked when I saw the thread, she was an incredible singer, R.I.P. Whitney.

RIP Whitney!  Your demons have left you.

We've lost this great women with gifted voices recently... Whitney, Amy and Michael...

Found this site a great tribute to her, didn't post the article because it's mostly Videos.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/11/whitney-houston-first-tv-performance-home_n_1271113.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

May she rest in peace!

Her beautiful voice will live on forever!

This is sad news, she was a great singer who couldn't handle fame

RIP Sweety and teach the angels how to sing!

Very sad indeed, but I never liked, to put it mildly, her music. Must say I only know her hits and not her albums.

http://jakefogelnest.com/post/17460767716

man she could sing. no autotune here.

:wow

This is sad news, and she was dound dead in the bathtub. They arent saying exactly how it happened but they found no illegal drugs or paraphenalia, so my guess it was an accidental death from prescription drugs and/or liquor. Just a guess. Oh yes, Whitney is another person KEEF outlived, the old cockroach! RIP Whitney, she was a vocal powerhouse and a beautiful woman.  A new movie coming out soon too.What a shame!

Bitch wrote on Feb 12^th, 2012 at 7:26pm:

Oh yes, Whitney is another person KEEF outlived, the old cockroach!

And this is relevant, how? I wish the whole 'Keef' bullshit would end. H

RIP Whitney.....

What a voice.
Another one joins the Heavenly Choir.
RIP Whitney

RIP Whitney

OMG I heard on the news she squandered $100 Million and she was broke at the time of her death, asking some of her friends to borrow $100 to get her through till the movie comes out. She was living large! I guess she spent alot of it on drugs and anyone who has ever had a cocaine addiction can tell you, that shit aint cheap! I feel sorry for her in a strange way, she had it all ~ looks, talent, money, a huge career, and she wasnt happy with all that. Just goes to show, money does not buy happiness. It does take the stress out of life though. I sure hope her daughter is OK, she was hospitalized after hearing the devestating news. Thats who I really feel sorry for, and I hope she can cope with this.  

Bitch wrote on Feb 14^th, 2012 at 12:39pm:

OMG I heard on the news she squandered $100 Million and she was broke at the time of her death, asking some of her friends to borrow $100 to get her through till the movie comes out. She was living large! I guess she spent alot of it on drugs and anyone who has ever had a cocaine addiction can tell you, that shit aint cheap! I feel sorry for her in a strange way, she had it all ~ looks, talent, money, a huge career, and she wasnt happy with all that. Just goes to show, money does not buy happiness. It does take the stress out of life though. I sure hope her daughter is OK, she was hospitalized after hearing the devestating news. Thats who I really feel sorry for, and I hope she can cope with this.

I agree with you 100%... The money probably wasn't gone from the drugs, it was the bad investments and decisions, made while taking the drugs... all the leeches and parasites that go along with that life ect... I knew she was in trouble, when she said she was sober, and talked about drinking a few drinks... I knew, she was getting really bad advice from peple who wanted to take advantage of her fame for their gain... Saddest part is, in another 3 to 6 months we will be talking about another dead star, and so it goes...

Very sad news. RIP Whitney....

Pdog wrote on Feb 14^th, 2012 at 3:46pm:

Bitch wrote on Feb 14th, 2012 at 12:39pm: OMG I heard on the news she squandered $100 Million and she was broke at the time of her death, asking some of her friends to borrow $100 to get her through till the movie comes out. She was living large! I guess she spent alot of it on drugs and anyone who has ever had a cocaine addiction can tell you, that shit aint cheap! I feel sorry for her in a strange way, she had it all ~ looks, talent, money, a huge career, and she wasnt happy with all that. Just goes to show, money does not buy happiness. It does take the stress out of life though. I sure hope her daughter is OK, she was hospitalized after hearing the devestating news. Thats who I really feel sorry for, and I hope she can cope with this.   I agree with you 100%... The money probably wasn't gone from the drugs, it was the bad investments and decisions, made while taking the drugs... all the leeches and parasites that go along with that life ect... I knew she was in trouble, when she said she was sober, and talked about drinking a few drinks... I knew, she was getting really bad advice from peple who wanted to take advantage of her fame for their gain... Saddest part is, in another 3 to 6 months we will be talking about another dead star, and so it goes...

Yeah, I agree with both of you. Really sad, no matter how you look at it. I heard at first that her estate could be worth $80 million or so, but I guess that was a gross exaggeration.

How do you guys feel about the flag being flown at half staff in New Jersey for Whitney?

Sioux wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 5:55pm:

How do you guys feel about the flag being flown at half staff in New Jersey for Whitney?

they've done it for many dead celebs, like Clarence, Sinatra... I do not equate celebrity with Patriotism... I think in some cases, like say a person like a Bob Hope who devoted alot of his life to enetertaining troops, it would make sense... but a known drug addict, who has not had any major success for a long time, from what I know, didn't give back in an altruistic way... in fact, I have heard she was really mean, making the diva equal to someone woh is rude and treats the help like shit... if that is what our flag represents... I think it is lame... too many drug addicts die, sad she died, but she knew she had to stop everything. Everyday, many like police, forefighters and our military die in service... they deserve flags at half mast, not a washed up mean person who refused to surrender to the fact she was an addict and she either had to stop or die... That's my feeling!!!

Pdog wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 6:11pm:

Sioux wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 5:55pm: How do you guys feel about the flag being flown at half staff in New Jersey for Whitney? they've done it for many dead celebs, like Clarence, Sinatra... I do not equate celebrity with Patriotism... I think in some cases, like say a person like a Bob Hope who devoted alot of his life to enetertaining troops, it would make sense... but a known drug addict, who has not had any major success for a long time, from what I know, didn't give back in an altruistic way... in fact, I have heard she was really mean, making the diva equal to someone woh is rude and treats the help like shit... if that is what our flag represents... I think it is lame... too many drug addicts die, sad she died, but she knew she had to stop everything. Everyday, many like police, forefighters and our military die in service... they deserve flags at half mast, not a washed up mean person who refused to surrender to the fact she was an addict and she either had to stop or die... That's my feeling!!!

I'm with you on that Pdog, I never knew she would get so much coverage, Amy Winehouse never got this coverage on news T.V. there's even going be a live stream of the funeral,but all in all she sure was some fantastic voice, when you're time is up your time is up to leave this world.

Heart Of Stone wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 6:19pm:

Pdog wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 6:11pm: Sioux wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 5:55pm: How do you guys feel about the flag being flown at half staff in New Jersey for Whitney? they've done it for many dead celebs, like Clarence, Sinatra... I do not equate celebrity with Patriotism... I think in some cases, like say a person like a Bob Hope who devoted alot of his life to enetertaining troops, it would make sense... but a known drug addict, who has not had any major success for a long time, from what I know, didn't give back in an altruistic way... in fact, I have heard she was really mean, making the diva equal to someone woh is rude and treats the help like shit... if that is what our flag represents... I think it is lame... too many drug addicts die, sad she died, but she knew she had to stop everything. Everyday, many like police, forefighters and our military die in service... they deserve flags at half mast, not a washed up mean person who refused to surrender to the fact she was an addict and she either had to stop or die... That's my feeling!!! I'm with you on that Pdog, I never knew she would get so much coverage, Amy Winehouse never got this coverage on news T.V. there's even going be a live stream of the funeral,but all in all she sure was some fantastic voice, when you're time is up your time is up to leave this world.

anna nicole smith got a lot of coverage too... I understood MJ, but Whitney wasn't very relevant... She just hits the news cycle in away they can pull in viewers and make the tragedy all the more sensationalized... the sad thing is, not one celebrity drug addict will be helped, not one street junkie will get into a rehab quicker... but, sure did sell alot of her music this week, didn't they?

Does anyone really believe she spent $100 million on drugs?  

We need to teach drug math in schools.  "Children, the most expensive and addictive drug on earth is crack cocaine, and assuming you had a need and desire to smoke $2000 a day of that glorious stuff, a dollar amount unheard of as a daily thing, how much would you have spent in 20 years with this ridiculous hypothetical sequence of events?  Hands up.   Hmmmm.....okay, Taylor.  What?  $100 million?  Wrong.  You are an idiot and get the George Walker Bush failure award for inability to use any form of common sense.  This is basic fucking algebra.  They had it back in the 12th century, now a conventional tool in damn near every analysis of any problem know to man.  And it works to this day.  Anyone else?"

Pdog wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 6:11pm:

Sioux wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 5:55pm: How do you guys feel about the flag being flown at half staff in New Jersey for Whitney? they've done it for many dead celebs, like Clarence, Sinatra... I do not equate celebrity with Patriotism... I think in some cases, like say a person like a Bob Hope who devoted alot of his life to enetertaining troops, it would make sense... but a known drug addict, who has not had any major success for a long time, from what I know, didn't give back in an altruistic way... in fact, I have heard she was really mean, making the diva equal to someone woh is rude and treats the help like shit... if that is what our flag represents... I think it is lame... too many drug addicts die, sad she died, but she knew she had to stop everything. Everyday, many like police, forefighters and our military die in service... they deserve flags at half mast, not a washed up mean person who refused to surrender to the fact she was an addict and she either had to stop or die... That's my feeling!!!

Good thoughts...I feel the same way. In MY day {lordy, I must be old!}, half staff flags were only seen in the event of a huge political figure passing away---a President, for instance. And then it became common when there was a national tragedy. And that all makes sense. Even a long standing Senator or someone like that---or a hero of some sort {think astronaut, etc.}. I think the meaning is just watered down if it is used for anyone who is, was, or has been famous {or notorious!} at some time or another...

Nice tribute from Chris Cornell the other night. With a pretty big VIP in the audience. The POTUS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgFAq9Q8l8U&feature=player_embedded

The way I see it is Gov Christie was paying homage to a citizen of the state of NJ.
I never looked into it, but did she ever make significant cash donations to hospitals, or endowments to benefit the state of NJ?  He's the Gov, he has a standard of criteria, it's his call.
Didn't NJ do the same for Frank Sinatra, he was no angel.
If the citizens of that state do not like it, they can vote Christie out when he's up for re-election.
We probably could go on about other Gov's & their decisions in this case.


It's a tragic situation what she got herself into & it's end result.
More should be done to show the youth of today what this type of behavior can do when unchecked.
The real outrage in the media is how they glorified Whitney coming out of one place or another completely blotto for headlines.  Was there one media person who openly called for Whitney to smarten the hell up, or she would end up like so many other stars who were gifted in life?  Of course not, because that would not sell tabloids, or grab good ratings.
I guess it's all up to the person effected to stop the madness themselves.

From the media's standpoint, it certainly seems like they do nothing to discourage, and they even glorify, the problems, addictions, and run-in's with the law just to keep those headlines coming. I don't know how much family members and friends can do for someone who keeps falling back into their old ways. It's really up to the person involved to make the change---and I know it must not be easy! Not by any means....and maybe it has to do with that person's "makeup". I thought people like Robert Downey Jr. were well on that path to tragedy, but he seems to be doing well now. And I know there are others.....but that will to live, and be "clean" has to come from the person him/herself.

Sioux wrote on Feb 18^th, 2012 at 9:46am:

From the media's standpoint, it certainly seems like they do nothing to discourage, and they even glorify, the problems, addictions, and run-in's with the law just to keep those headlines coming. I don't know how much family members and friends can do for someone who keeps falling back into their old ways. It's really up to the person involved to make the change---and I know it must not be easy! Not by any means....and maybe it has to do with that person's "makeup". I thought people like Robert Downey Jr. were well on that path to tragedy, but he seems to be doing well now. And I know there are others.....but that will to live, and be "clean" has to come from the person him/herself.

Right on Sioux, if the person doesn't want to stop, there's nothing in the world that can help, they can go to the best rehab centers around, & if they don't want to stop, it will only be temporary that their Sober/ Clean & they go back to it again, in my case I've been sober over 3 years, I had such a mental obsession for that I just couldn't stay stopped, in my case it was booze, I was drinking almost a 24 Beer a day, I couldn't drink liquor any more, I would get so violently sick, I would throw up for 2 days & nights, nothing but cold water because I was so dry coming of booze it was like I was in a desert dying of thirst, the only thing I could drink was Beer, & then something just came over me over 3 years ago, I call it a spiritual awakening, & my compulsion for drinking was taken away, & the longer I'm sober the more thankful I am that it happened.
There I said my piece, I don't usually share like that, only for another person who's going through the same thing & wants to stop.  

I'm so thankful that you are doing so well, HOS. :) What a blessing that is! And a blessing to have you here with us....:)

During the late 80's early 90's, when I was at my worst...I always equated this song with the choice of, loving love or loving destruction of one's self although trying not to self destruct.

http://vimeo.com/36149308

Sioux wrote on Feb 18^th, 2012 at 2:45pm:

I'm so thankful that you are doing so well, HOS. :) What a blessing that is! And a blessing to have you here with us....:)

Thanks Sioux.

Bingo wrote on Feb 18^th, 2012 at 3:43pm:

During the late 80's early 90's, when I was at my worst...I always equated this song with the choice of, loving love or loving destruction of one's self although trying not to self destruct. http://vimeo.com/36149308

There were certain songs that stand out in me too that brings back memories of the worst times, in my case I was hardly ever without music playing, I would play music on my computer for like 8 hours steady, just a long playlist, of course it was from the 60's/70's.

Right there with you Heart of Stone................
Do what you gotta do Boss, Life is to short, don't self destruct.!
Unfortunate  but true  there are to many out side forces try to do that for us

Governer Christie is just looking for the black vote. He was at the funeral too and yes Whitney gave a huge donation to the school they named after her, but lots of other people have died and the flag was not at half mast. It is supposed to be for cops and military, people killed in the line of duty or political figures.  I have nothing against the flag at half mast for WHitney but it does set a precident, but it raises the question ~ from now on we will be doing this for other musicians too?

Bitch wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 6:21pm:

Governer Christie is just looking for the black vote. He was at the funeral too and yes Whitney gave a huge donation to the school they named after her, but lots of other people have died and the flag was not at half mast. It is supposed to be for cops and military, people killed in the line of duty or political figures.  I have nothing against the flag at half mast for WHitney but it does set a precident, but it raises the question ~ from now on we will be doing this for other musicians too?

NJ flew flags @ half staff for Frank Sinatra & Clarence Clemmons when they died.

I wonder if any other states have done this for people other than Presidents/politicians/heroes/etc.?

Sioux wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 10:40pm:

I wonder if any other states have done this for people other than Presidents/politicians/heroes/etc.?

Looks like flying the flag at half-mast is getting to be a watered-down tradition that doesn't carry much meaning anymore.

Years ago, here in New Orleans, jazz funerals were held only for the most revered of the jazz community, and they were a very rare sight to see.
Now, anyone who is willing to pay for the privilege can have a jazz funeral, and you don't even have to be involved in the music community.

Let's not forget that in the days, weeks and months following her Super Bowl performance, which is widely regarded as the best rendition of the National Anthem, she was active in supporting and entertaining the US troops in the Middle East.

I think this is the reason for the flags being lowered.

Sioux wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 10:40pm:

I wonder if any other states have done this for people other than Presidents/politicians/heroes/etc.?

I'm pretty sure Tennessee did it for Elvis. And his home state of Mississippi may have done it too.

Edith Grove wrote on Feb 20^th, 2012 at 4:55am:

Sioux wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 10:40pm: I wonder if any other states have done this for people other than Presidents/politicians/heroes/etc.? Looks like flying the flag at half-mast is getting to be a watered-down tradition that doesn't carry much meaning anymore. Years ago, here in New Orleans, jazz funerals were held only for the most revered of the jazz community, and they were a very rare sight to see. Now, anyone who is willing to pay for the privilege can have a jazz funeral, and you don't even have to be involved in the music community.

Ok, this is what I'm thinking too......just maybe done too often. And I'm sure it will be like that from now on.

Thanks for all the state info. Guess we don't have that many great Va. musicians who've passed away. I would have lowered the flag for Ella---since she was the BEST.  :) But yeah.....I think the meaning is slowly being lost in the wave of "celebrity".... :'(

Sioux wrote on Feb 20^th, 2012 at 8:17am:

Thanks for all the state info. Guess we don't have that many great Va. musicians who've passed away. I would have lowered the flag for Ella---since she was the BEST.  :) But yeah.....I think the meaning is slowly being lost in the wave of "celebrity".... :'(

Sioux.....don't forget Clarence was from VA...good old Tidewater area...but yes I agree........I think the meaning is slowly being lost in the wave of "celebrity"..

Kilroy wrote on Feb 20^th, 2012 at 8:43am:

Sioux wrote on Feb 20th, 2012 at 8:17am: Thanks for all the state info. Guess we don't have that many great Va. musicians who've passed away. I would have lowered the flag for Ella---since she was the BEST.  :) But yeah.....I think the meaning is slowly being lost in the wave of "celebrity".... :'( Sioux.....don't forget Clarence was from VA...good old Tidewater area...but yes I agree........I think the meaning is slowly being lost in the wave of "celebrity"..

Yes, that's true. Can't imagine Va. doing anything like lowering a flag for a "mere musician". Patsy Cline was born here too, and they have memorials to her in her home town of Winchester...

I now understand it was only the state flag that was lowered-not the American flag.

The American flag should only be lowered for military reasons.

Howard Stern and Robin are talking about this right now.

Steel Wheels wrote on Feb 21^st, 2012 at 6:26am:

I now understand it was only the state flag that was lowered-not the American flag. The American flag should only be lowered for military reasons. Howard Stern and Robin are talking about this right now.

thx for clarification, really makes a huge difference...

http://www.eonline.com/news/whitney_houston_new_jersey_state_flag/294319

Ok, that's what I was wondering. There was speculation that both flags were to be lowered...

I have no problem, whatsoever, with state flags being lowered for beloved "celebrities"! :)

Honky Tonk Man wrote on Feb 13^th, 2012 at 7:29am:

Bitch wrote on Feb 12th, 2012 at 7:26pm: Oh yes, Whitney is another person KEEF outlived, the old cockroach! I wish the whole 'Keef' bullshit would end. H

                     -- [chuckle, chuckle] --

Sioux wrote on Feb 20^th, 2012 at 10:47pm:

Kilroy wrote on Feb 20th, 2012 at 8:43am: Sioux wrote on Feb 20th, 2012 at 8:17am: Thanks for all the state info. Guess we don't have that many great Va. musicians who've passed away. I would have lowered the flag for Ella---since she was the BEST.  :) But yeah.....I think the meaning is slowly being lost in the wave of "celebrity".... :'( Sioux.....don't forget Clarence was from VA...good old Tidewater area...but yes I agree........I think the meaning is slowly being lost in the wave of "celebrity".. Yes, that's true. Can't imagine Va. doing anything like lowering a flag for a "mere musician". Patsy Cline was born here too, and they have memorials to her in her home town of Winchester...

Oh my goodness, Sioux, there are a great many musicians from your beautiful state who were deserving of having the state flag hung at half-mast...right off the top of my head I would name the afore-mentioned Patsy Cline (I laid a rose on her grave in 1990), A.P, Sara, and Maybelle Carter, and the great Carter Stanley...and I'll bet you that when his brother, Dr. Ralph Stanley, dies, he'll get a similar send-off.

I sure don't see any harm in flying a state flag at half-mast for a musician who did his or her home state proud. Especially when you're talking about people like Elvis and Frank Sinatra - they were cultural icons more than musicians.