May 24, 2012
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Entertainers and others who knew Whitney Houston are expressing their thoughts and feelings after learning of the singer's death in Beverly Hills on Saturday at the age of 48.
Mariah Carey tweets she's heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of her friend. Carey says, "She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."
Singer and songwriter Barry Manilow says he can't believe that Whitney is gone. He says his heart goes out to her family, to Clive Davis, and to everyone who knew and loved the "amazingly talented and beautiful artist." He added, "I will always love her."
Motown great Smokey Robinson says he's known Whitney since she was a little girl and loved her. As he puts it, "She was like family to me. I will miss her."
Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, says, "A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."
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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. She was 48.
Publicist Kristen Foster said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unclear.
At her peak in the 1980s and `90s, Houston the golden girl of the music industry and one of the world's best-selling artists.
Among her hits were "How Will I Know," "Saving All My Love for You" and "I Will Always Love You." She won multiple Grammys including album and record of the year.
Her success carried her beyond music to movies like "The Bodyguard."
But by the end of her career, drug use took its toll as her record sales plummeted and her voice became raspy and hoarse.
