Whitney Houston was just 48 years when she left this world on Saturday 11 February at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, only a day before she was due to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards.
But while short lived, she made indelible achievements in the music business, with over 400 awards and multi-million-selling records to her name, only by using the strongest gift God gave her – her voice.
Born on 9 August 1963 in East Orange, New Jersey, Whitney showed her talent at an early age as a singer in her local church. In her teens she toured nightclubs singing with her mother Cissy, which led her to singing backup on Chaka Khan’s hit ‘I’m Every Woman’. After dabbling in modelling in the early 1980s she was discovered by Clive Davis’ Arista Records, and the rest is history.
In my college days back at the University of Lagos, no party or night out at a club felt complete without dancing to her breakout hit single ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’. I became a big fan of her music, and particularly her voice – her strongest weapon!
As the world marks International Women’s Day on 8 March, I remember Whitney. It is so unfortunate that we lost such a gem at this time. This was a woman, a mother who at a very tender age discovered her destiny, pursued it and reached the summit. Her voice even fostered unity and love among people of different nations.
It also takes a brave woman to so publicly admit her faults, as she did when she spoke candidly about her struggles with prescription drugs. I saw her interviewed by Oprah Winfrey last year, when she said she realised her mistakes and knew where to go, pointing her beautiful eyes above the sky where her Creator resides. It was so touching watching her say that, and so sad to remember now she is gone.
Speaking about how she discovered her own talent, she said: “It was something that was so natural to me that when I started singing, it was almost like speaking.” Around the age of 11, Whitney sang ‘Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah’ at her church, and the whole congregation stood still. I only wish she had made that song her guiding principle.
From her humble Christian background to her famous career and troubled personal life, Whitney always remained down to earth. She was so humble, and always conscious of her ordinary roots. I think somewhere along the way Whitney forgot to “hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:11).
In the wake of Whitney’s death, White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske used her as a tragic example, claiming “it is a teachable moment”. But I hope the lesson is also learned by the authorities who allow people to get hooked on prescription drugs ¬– and of course by families, as charity begins at home. After all, the habits we form are often generated from the relationships we keep.
If lessons had been learned sooner, maybe Whitney would not have died, not at this time or in these circumstances, but only God knows. My good thoughts go to her mother Cissy and daughter Bobbi.
Amaka Okonkwo works in sales for Metro E´ireann.
