A Voice That Still Gets Attention
There's no one in America who hasn't heard of Whitney Houston or at least heard one of her incredible songs before. After all, she remains one of the most admired singers in pop and R&B history, and her career included music, film, and record-breaking achievements. Here are just five incredible facts to know about this singing legend.
PH2 Mark Kettenhofen on Wikimedia
1. She Was Born Into A Musical Family
Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey to a musical family where her mother, Cissy Houston, was a respected gospel and soul singer. The connections don't stop there; Whitney was also related to Dionne Warwick!
2. She Became A Superstar In The 1980s
After releasing her self-titled debut album in 1985, Whitney Houston quickly made her name known to a huge audience. Songs like “Saving All My Love For You” and “How Will I Know” showed off both her vocal control and her pop appeal, which led her to become one of the biggest names in music by the end of the decade.
3. She Made Film History With The Bodyguard
Not just a singer, but an actress too! Whitney Houston starred alongside Kevin Costner in the 1992 film The Bodyguard which became a major success, but the soundtrack became even more famous. Her version of “I Will Always Love You” spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of her most iconic performances.
4. She Won Many Major Awards
This shouldn't come as a surprise, but Houston earned major honors throughout her career, including Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. Her awards reflected her popularity, her influence across several genres, and her genuine talent.
5. She Left A Lasting Legacy
Whitney Houston died on February 11, 2012, but her music continues to reach new listeners and move old ones. To this day, her music is played on the radio, used in movies, and talked about on the regular. Her legacy will continue as one of the greatest musicians to ever perform in American history.
