Whitney Houston Dead at 48

[J_Posse]

Why should there be a tribute? This is someone who apparently squandered her talent and traded it in for her eventual demise.

I know I'm gonna get **** for this, but I just don't understand honoring people who have not respected what they had/worked for, let alone their life. Look, if this was caused by something other than her own doing, I'll be the first to apologize. But if this was someone who didn't have any star power, there would be no tribute on a grand scale.

Dude, regardless of how her death came about Whitney was a legend. Her inner demons may have been too strong to overcome, but that's the same for many people throughout this world. Her career and legacy meant a lot to many people, so much like Michael, she deserves to be given a proper farewell. May the Lord be with her family and friends during this time of need. You left too soon, Whitney.

R.I.P. Whitney Houston

from Spurs Nation

[trobinson97]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Sad news. I just saw her on Talk Soup this morning. It was a picture of her and Ray J coming out of an airport or something. I was telling my wife "Wow, Whitney looks good, she looks healthy." Now a few hours later, she's gone, just like that, and still so relatively young. Damn shame. I can only hope and pray that she had herself together when she went and didn't go out using. Even still, it's sad news. Prayers out to her family and friends.

RIP to one of the greatest voices of our time.

[dickey1331]

RIP Whitney. One of the greatest. Been watching MTV Hits and they have been playing Whitney music video. What an amazing voice.


Do you really care where I sent this from?

[areobee401]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Feels like just yesterday my 6th grade class butchered The Greatest Love Of All during graduation.

RIP Whitney Houston

[Leon]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

RIP Whitney. Truly one of the greatest. My Whitney memory is watching her in the film "The Bodyguard." I first saw that when I was around 6 or something and for some reason or another, I really liked it. Even got a few Whitney CDs and cassettes that I still have to this day.

daflyboys - While I think everyone respects your views on this, there isn't really any need to question why Whitney should or shouldn't be given a tribute. If you don't want to, then just don't participate in the thread. I know that's what I do when I see other celebrity death threads who I haven't encountered or didn't have a big impact on me.

[Brandwin]

. It wouldve been a total different story if she never met BB.
It is usually a shocker for this type of situation because people remember someone like her for what she was NOT what she became

People always want to blame Bobby

It was her own fault. She was a grown woman and unless Bobby Brown held her down and made her do drugs.

[Galvatron]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Then how does someone as intelligent as her allow one's self to be surrounded by leeches?

For someone who claims to have worked in mental health I find this question to be highly dubious. It sounds like you have no idea how addiction can affect someone or how one must struggle to overcome it. This is not a knock on you personally as everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this type of reasoning you have for her downfall seems simply rife with ignorance.

Whitney Houston could have had all the money in the world to use at her disposal to get help and you know what? It's STILL a lifelong struggle that she would have to deal with. Unless you've struggled with addiction yourself you really have no clue what goes through one's mind when battling these demons on a 24/7 basis, especially in the entertainment industry where recovery can be especially difficult. I can only hope she tried her best to surround herself with family and friends during her last days. Regardless of her LEGENDARY career, she was someones mother, someones daughter, wife, sister, and friend and meant much more to her loved ones than her MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of fans.

It never ceases to amaze me how easily celebrities can be looked upon as people who should "know better" because they have money, when they are actually more prone to mistakes and flaws such as addiction than the average person.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

First of all, I wish people would stop blaming Bobby. Whitney was her own woman who made when own decisions.

Now that I got that out the way, let's remember Whitney for being one of the greatest vocalists of all time (top 5 in my opinion) and greatest ballad maker. She had SO many classic songs! I had a crush on her as a kid, especially during her "Greatest Love of All" days. She fell on hard times later in life, but I will always remember her best moments.

P.S. her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is the best ever!

[daflyboys]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

This is a thread entitled "Whitney Houston Dead at 48". What's the first thing anyone assumed before they even opened this thread? Exactly. This is an entertainer. Her work, simply because it appeals to many people, does not necessarily grant her more acclaim during such a tragic thing than anyone else who may unfortunately die this way. But we idolize people like this because of a talent. She's been referred to as an "icon" in this thread (sorry, but I don't consider her an icon.... subjective term, I know). I also don't subscribe to her dealing with "inner demons" (not meant literally, I also know) nor to a "disease". Yes, I work in the field... have so for decades.... and do not subscribe to the "disease model" for addiction. Sorry, but it's not been completely validated.

If you don't want or don't like controversial discussion here, or any online discussion, then create a thread that states "Honoring.... " or "Remembering ......" or the like.

Like other similar tragic situations, I feel for the family, who had to more than likely deal with all of the mess and drama over the decades and probably see this as such a waste, minimally of talent, but more importantly her taking herself away from them prematurely. Whether it's an overdose or a slow, eroding condition brought on by her choices, it's still a selfish move that only pains those GENUINELY close to her and will leave them feeling hollow, confused and possibly even guilty for quite a long time.

[UWfan206]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

She's been referred to as an "icon" in this thread (sorry, but I don't consider her an icon.

Whitney was the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records.Her list of awards includes 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. Houston was also one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide.

If that isn't iconic or icon status then what is?

[daflyboys]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Whitney was the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records.Her list of awards includes 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. Houston was also one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide.

If that isn't iconic or icon status then what is?

This confirms her high level of talent, but that is not the definition of icon. And I'm certainly not denying the incredible level of talent, awards notwithstanding. Popularity, fame and artistic skills do not necessarily define an icon status. If you want a couple of definitions:

icon is also used, particularly in modern culture, in the general sense of symbol — i.e. a name, face, picture, edifice or even a person readily recognized as having some well-known significance or embodying certain qualities: one thing, an image or depiction, that represents something else of greater significance through literal or figurative meaning, usually associated with religious, cultural, political, or economic standing.

an object of uncritical devotion : idol

One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol: "He is ... a pop icon designed and manufactured for the video generation" (Harry F. Waters).

What is referred to here is a popular icon or cultural icon:
A cultural icon can be a symbol, logo, picture, name, face, person, building or other image that is readily recognized and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group. A representation of an object or person, or that object or person may come to be regarded as having a special status as particularly representative of, or important to, or loved by, a particular group of people, a place, or a period in history.
In the media, many well-known manifestations of popular culture have been described as "iconic". Some writers say that the word is overused.

I understand that she had been highly revered for her talent and work. But, I think she's another example of the misuse/overuse of the word "icon". I consider "icons" especially in the entertainment industries moreso as the pioneers, ground-breakers, those who set the stage (no pun intended) in the early going for the entertainers today to make their way.

Look, I remember when Whitney first appeared during a music age that I largely despised. I didn't really like pop music either, but there was clearly something about her that had her stand above the rest. Probably because it was the fact that she did display an incredible high level of talent and range at the earliest point of her career ... you could easily see that she had true vocal quality, which was a relief compared to the one-hit wonders and studio generated crap of that era. You knew she was not going to flicker out as easily as the bands and solo artists of the time. But this doesn't make her a cultural icon. Highly talented, successful and brilliant in her work, yes, but not an icon.

[Leon]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

This is a thread entitled "Whitney Houston Dead at 48". What's the first thing anyone assumed before they even opened this thread? Exactly. This is an entertainer. Her work, simply because it appeals to many people, does not necessarily grant her more acclaim during such a tragic thing than anyone else who may unfortunately die this way. But we idolize people like this because of a talent. She's been referred to as an "icon" in this thread (sorry, but I don't consider her an icon.... subjective term, I know). I also don't subscribe to her dealing with "inner demons" (not meant literally, I also know) nor to a "disease". Yes, I work in the field... have so for decades.... and do not subscribe to the "disease model" for addiction. Sorry, but it's not been completely validated.

If you don't want or don't like controversial discussion here, or any online discussion, then create a thread that states "Honoring.... " or "Remembering ......" or the like.

Like other similar tragic situations, I feel for the family, who had to more than likely deal with all of the mess and drama over the decades and probably see this as such a waste, minimally of talent, but more importantly her taking herself away from them prematurely. Whether it's an overdose or a slow, eroding condition brought on by her choices, it's still a selfish move that only pains those GENUINELY close to her and will leave them feeling hollow, confused and possibly even guilty for quite a long time.

You should just create a thread on why people shouldn't idolize such celebrities then. The topic at hand is that her passing is a blow to music lovers, the music industry and to anyone else who may have been touched by one of her songs.

Did she bring this upon herself? Probably. It doesn't mean that people can't or shouldn't express their sympathy or pay respects.

[trobinson97]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

There's always at least one.

[rangerrick012]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Really dude? Not the time nor the place at all. RIP Whitney. I get where you're coming from, but still, don't post something just for the sake of being 'that guy'.

[JayBee74]

Re: Whitney Houston Dead at 48

I'm not shocked. And I won't be shocked if this isn't another multiple drug use death (Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, Brittany Murphy).