If the subject of singer Whitney Houston comes up nowadays, the talk will turn to how much of a mess she is. Substance abuse, a rocky relationship with her husband Bobby Brown and her largely non-existent career will dominate the conversation.
Not so on this date in 1985.
Twenty six years ago today, Whitney Houston established herself as the next big superstar, reaching the #1 spot on the charts with her hit song “Saving All My Love For You”.
There’s no doubt she had the genetic pedigree. The daughter of soul singer Cissy Houston and the niece of pop star Dionne Warwick, Whitney was blessed with an amazing voice and stunning beauty as well.
It was a “can’t miss” proposition.
The lyrical content of the “other woman” involved with a married man made the song a tough sell for some radio programmers, but the vocal performance and allure of this new talent was too much to resist.
Here’s the original video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewxmv2tyeRs&ob=av2e
Whitney’s first single, “You Give Good Love” peaked at #3, but the second release went all the way to the top. Over the next ten years, Houston would reach the top spot on the charts eight more times, in the process selling tens of millions of albums.
That debut album “Whitney Houston” ranks among the 40 biggest sellers of all time. Her version of “The Star Spangled Banner” was a top 20 hit not once, but TWICE—in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War—and then again in 2001 after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
It seems unlikely that Ms. Houston will ever resurrect her career—she’s had more than a couple “second chances”---but those of us who at least respect her talent—like me---are hoping that I’m wrong.
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@cumulus.com
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