The beatific voice of a generation known as Whitney Houston passed away on the afternoon of February 11 in Beverly Hills, California at 3:55 pm PST at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The loss of Houston comes on the heels of the passing of the late Don Cornelius ten days prior. Her passing came as earth shattering news to the world and many are still reeling from the after effects.
Whitney was released on June 2, 1987 by Arista Records. After selling over 13 million copies of her self-titled debut album, Whitney Houston once again graced the music masses with her vibrant presence and astounding vocal abilities. This formidable combination led to the creation of an album that would redefine music industry standards for a recording artist and ultimately her legacy.
Houston returned to the studio determined to capitalize on her newfound stardom as a solo recording artist on one of the most prominent music labels in the country. Her show stopping talents were on full display and she more than lived up to the extraordinary expectations placed on her after her groundbreaking debut effort.
This album would see Houston's career ascend to heights unknown by not only a female recording artist, but a Black recording artist. Her popularity among the new MTV generation was at an all-time high and the demand to have more Black recording artists featured on the channel became a priority. With her model physique and soul stirring vocal capabilities, Houston was able to open doors for other Black artists during this time period in the same vein as Michael Jackson.
Under the tutelage of the legendary Clive Davis, her music would evolve into a more pop friendly direction. Following a similar format from her debut album, Davis enlisted the help of legendary producers Narada Michael Walden, Kashif Saleem, Michael Masser and Jellybean Benitez to solidify Houston as the single biggest act in the recording industry. Houston's incomparable vocals were showcased on a stellar mixture of up tempo songs and ballads. As a result, Houston remained a dominant force on the Pop and R&B music charts.
Whitney Houston came from a musical family steeped in the Soul and Gospel musical traditions. Her mother, Cissy Houston was a singer for then well-known Soul group The Sweet Inspirations on Atlantic Records. Cissy Houston was also a much sought after recording session and background vocalist for many high profile artists in the 1960s and 1970s. Whitney Houston's cousins Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick had achieved superstar status in their respective careers. Houston's Godmother Aretha Franklin and her mother were quite instrumental in teaching her the gift of song.
At the tender age of 11, she began singing in her hometown church in New Jersey and by the time she reached high school, Houston was performing background vocals on records for Michael Zager's Band, Chaka Khan, Lou Rawls and Jermaine Jackson. It was during this juncture where she traveled alongside her mother as she would perform in night clubs across the country. At one of these performances, Houston caught the eye of Arista Records A&R executive, Jerry Griffiths. Griffiths told label impresario Clive Davis about this new talent and upon seeing Houston perform, he wanted to sign her to a record deal. As the story goes, Houston signed to Arista Records in 1983, but wouldn't release her solo effort until two years later.
Between the months of September 1986 and February 1987 Whitney was recorded at Tarpan Studios in San Rafael, California and various studios in New York, New York. Two years after releasing her debut, Houston would become one of the greatest recording artists on the planet.
SoulCulture recently sat down with Narada Michael Walden, the producer of seven tracks for the album to share his vision for creating a definitive record.
Teddy Pendergrass : March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010
Theodore DeReese “Teddy” Pendergrass, was born in 1950 - and within a couple of decades was Quiet-ly Storm-ing the air waves and record studios with his deep, refined and raw soulful voice.
It was as a drummer that Teddy Pendergrass started his ascent (with The Cadillacs). When Melvin offered him to join Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, he became lead singer; they were soon signed with Gamble & Huff records (1972). From then on, the electrifying magnetism of his voice took us over ('I Miss You', 'Bad Luck', 'Wake Up Everybody', 'If You Don't Know Me By Now').
One of the most talked about albums of the year has finally arrived. With rumours circulating for the past few years but no concrete information, many believed we would never see a new Whitney Houston album, however under the wing of long term mentor Clive Davis Whitney came through and gave us I Look To You.
Her comeback had all the ingredients of success. First there is the dramatic back story (the divorce, the drugs), second she looks fantastic, third her fan-base is still relatively strong and remained supportive… but, in my opinion, it all falls down around the fourth key ingredient: the music.