Whitney Houston's death sparks chorus of grief
Cascade of online tributes follow in the wake of singer's death
The Canadian Press
Posted: Feb 12, 2012 12:27 AM ET
Last Updated: Feb 12, 2012 10:38 AM ET
Regular music fans and superstar performers joined together in a chorus of grief Saturday night upon hearing that Whitney Houston had died at age 48 on the eve of the Grammy Awards.
"You are the reason I fell in love with singing. My heart is broken," tweeted Grammy-nominated Toronto singer Melanie Fiona.
"I'm really not okay," wrote Fiona, who is up for best traditional R&B performance at Sunday's ceremony for her Cee Lo Green duet Fool for You, which also earned a nomination for best song.
Fiona summed up the impact of Houston's death on her with one word: "Devastation."
Police said Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where the singer had been scheduled to perform at the annual Grammy party held by the man who discovered her: legendary music producer Clive Davis.
Online tributes
Word of her death — the cause of which was not immediately known — prompted a torrent of tributes on Twitter.
"One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed," tweeted teen sensation Justin Bieber. "RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family."
'Despite her controversy, her voice... has defined music today.'—Lady Gaga
Canadian rapper Wes Williams (formerly known as Maestro Fresh Wes) recalled Houston's stunning looks.
"Crazy. Whitney was my first celebrity crush and set my standard for Black women's beauty," Williams tweeted.
Toronto rapper Drake, who is up for three Grammys on Sunday, was succinct: "RIP Whitney Houston."
Personal problems
Lady Gaga hinted at Houston's personal problems which, in addition to addiction issues, also included a tumultuous relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown.
"Despite her controversy, her voice... has defined music today," tweeted Gaga. "A true legend."
The news broke as Rihanna was rehearsing at the Staples Center, where the 54th Grammy Awards are set to take place. The death of Houston, the daughter of soul singer Cissy Houston and niece of singer Dionne Warwick, is sure to change the ceremony considerably.
Fans in the streets around the arena were grief-stricken.
Nancy Turpin of Chicago heard the news while browsing the Grammy museum.
"It's shocking. So shocking. She finally seemed to be turning it around."
Andy Bigelow, 44, of Chicago, said he had been a Houston fan since the 1980s and loved that she supported the gay community.
"The Grammys should end with her performance of the national anthem at the (1991) Super Bowl," suggested 37-year-old Karim Azeez of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles resident Walter Jones said he hoped the singer was in a better place and that the Grammy show would feature some of her hits, which include "Saving All My Love For You" and "The Greatest Love of All."
"She was especially important to me growing up as a black man," he said.
Party held as scheduled
Over at the Beverly Hills Hilton, the Davis event went on as scheduled. It was a bizarre scene as stars walked the red carpet amid a heavy police presence while news vans snaked around the block and paparazzi staked out every hotel exit.
At least one fan felt the gala should have been scrapped.
"It seems completely inappropriate that they're having a party while she's upstairs, deceased," said Adonis Ellis.
Katie Wage, a guest at the Davis party, could scarcely take it in.
"It's so surreal because she died here, only hours ago. I just can't believe it."
Share Tools
FILM REVIEW: Men in Black 3 by Eli Glasner May. 25, 2012 11:40 AM Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back in the action sequel Men in Black 3, a third instalment of a series now 15 years old. Though new addition Josh Brolin manages some amazing mimicry as a younger version of Jones, the story doesn't measure up to the weird and wonderful charms of the original, says film reviewer Eli Glasner.
Top News Headlines
- Canadian Pacific strikers face back-to-work legislation
- Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is prepared to end the Canadian Pacific Railway strike if necessary, after both CP and the union rejected a proposal for voluntary arbitration by the government-appointed negotiator on Sunday. Raitt says she is "extremely disappointed." more »
- Syrian regime denies role in Houla massacre
- The UN Security Council condemned the Syrian regime at an emergency meeting Sunday, holding president Bashar al-Assad's military responsible for the massacre of more than 100 people, dozens of whom were children younger than 10 years old. more »
- Ryder Hesjedal wins prestigious Giro d'Italia
- Victoria, B.C., native Ryder Hesjedal has become the first Canadian to win one of the cycling world's three Grand Tour events, wrapping up the 2012 Giro d'Italia with an excellent performance in the final stage in Milan. more »
- Neighbour may have helped find missing kids in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children who had been missing for nearly four years were found in Mexico after a man raised concerns about his neighbour, according to a private investigator. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Stratford prepares for new director as season opens
- As the Stratford Shakespeare Festival opens its 60th season, high profile artistic director Des McAnuff is preparing to hand to reins to his successor Antoni Cimolino. Deana Sumanac reports. more »
- Quebec actress captures Cannes prize
- Canadian Suzanne Clement has been awarded the Best Actress prize in the Cannes Film Festival's sidebar competition, Un Certain Regard. more »
- Lady Gaga nixes Indonesia show after threats
- Lady Gaga cancelled her sold-out show in Indonesia after Islamist hard-liners threatened violence, claiming her sexy clothes and provocative dance moves would corrupt the youth. more »
- Sweden defeats Russian grannies in Eurovision song contest
- Sweden's Loreen clinches the top spot at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with her dance hit Euphoria, pushing aside competition from a sextet of Russian grannies and a Serbian balladeer. more »
Q Blog
Toni Morrison on her two selves May. 25, 2012 5:57 PM Jian speaks with the celebrated African American author and academic about her two conflicting selves, and her new novel, Home.
CBC Books
Talking about war May. 25, 2012 4:57 PM The public conversation around war has always been complex and thorny. How does Canada's military approach differ from that of other countries? Are we a society of peacekeepers or warriors? These are some of the questions that Noah Richler explores in his new book What We Talk About When We Talk About War.
- Accused in blast that killed Alberta mom handled her funds
- Remains found in bag on Cape Breton river ID'd
- Neighbour may have helped find missing kids in Mexico
- Quebec students, government to resume talks
- Syrian regime denies role in Houla massacre
- Lip-dub marriage proposal an internet hit
- Canadian Pacific strikers face back-to-work legislation
- B.C. NDP calls for unity in fighting coast guard closure
- Calgary Marathon winner breaks 21-year-old record
