Ray Charles Sings "America The Beautiful" R.I.P. (Videos)

Sources: White House, Youtube

Whitney Houston Performs "Star Spangled Banner", 1991 Super Bowl (That Voice)

Whitney's Super Bowl national anthem was a classic

Among the annals of national anthems as a prelude to sporting events, few have topped the one delivered by Whitney Houston, who died Saturday, before Super Bowl XXV in 1991 in Tampa. Just a woman, her incredible voice and the bare minimum of extraneous notes.

Her rendition came at a particularly patriotic time, just after the onset of the Persian Gulf War, and was released as a single. It was re-released after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Houston donated all proceeds to charity. There was some controversy over whether she had pre-recorded the song, but it still ranks among the best all-time because of the circumstances and ... that voice..



Whitney Houston’s Star-Spangled Secret

It was what turned a star into a superstar: Whitney Houston’s mesmerizing rendition of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl. Houston’s powerful “Star Spangled Banner” performance came at a poignant, patriotic time — the U.S. had just entered the 1991 Gulf War.

But here’s what you didn’t know: What the Super Bowl audience and hundreds of millions of TV viewers heard was lip-synched.

“The music was pre-recorded, and so was the vocal,” confirmed Rickey Minor, who was Houston’s musical director at the time.

Minor, now the band leader on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show,” said that in a crowd that large and loud, it was impossible for Houston to hear herself. Though she did sing, it was her pre-recorded voice that the audience heard.

Here’s another surprise: Minor and Houston changed the national anthem to ensure a better performance.

“The original version is in 3/4 time, which is more like a waltz,” Minor explained. “What we tried to do was to put it in 4/4 meter… We wanted to give her a chance to phrase it in such a way that she would be able to take her time and really express the meaning.”

Minor was nervous that the altered anthem wouldn’t be well received, but that story, at least, has a happy ending: Houston’s performance electrified the stadium and soon after, popular demand prompted Houston’s record label to release a single that hit the top 20 on the Billboard charts.

“I think it might well be the best Super Bowl performance of all time, ” said Billboard Magazine editor Danyel Smith. “It may well be, with the exception of her version of Dolly Parton’s, ‘I Will Always Love You,’ the most remembered thing about her.

I think our grandkids will look at the video for ‘I Will Always Love You’ and they will look at the video of Whitney Houston singing at Super Bowl twenty-five.”


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Sources: AP, ABC News, Washington Post, Youtube, Google Maps

DONNA SUMMER'S Family Plans Private Memorial Service In Nashville, Tenn. R.I.P.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Donna Summer's Family to Hold Private Memorial in Nashville

Donna Summer gave many gifts to the music world, so naturally, the singer's family chose to hold her memorial service in the music epicenter of the world: Nashville, Tenn. (The star moved to the music capitol in 1994.)

TMZ, who broke the news Thursday that the legendary "Last Dance" singer had lost her battle with lung cancer at the age of 63, reported Friday that the private ceremony to remember the star is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30.

On Thursday, Summer's family released a statement to the Associated Press on their loved one's passing.

"Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith," the statement begins. "While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time."

The chart-topping, Grammy winner known as "The Queen of Disco" is survived by daughters Brooklyn, 31, and Amanda, 29, who she shares with husband Bruce Sudano, 63. Summer's eldest daughter, Mimi, is from her previous marriage to actor Helmuth Sommer.


Private family funeral planned for Donna Summer

Donna Summer's funeral will be a private one for family and close friends.
Publicist Brian Edwards said in a statement Friday that Summer's family is overwhelmed and appreciates the outreach from fans and friends, but that her funeral services will remain private.

He didn't provide details on when and where services would be held.
Summer died Thursday morning of lung cancer at age 63 in Naples, Fla. Edwards also said that the singer did not smoke.
Summer earned the title of Queen of Disco after releasing a string of dance hits in the 1970s, including "I Feel Love," ''Love to Love You Baby" and "Last Dance."


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Sources: AP, MSNBC, The Grio, US Weekly, VH-1, Washington Post, Wikipedia, Youtube, Google Maps

Whitney Houston Died From Combination Of Heart Disease, Cocaine & Drowning: Leave Her Alone! R.I.P.

Cocaine, heart disease contributed to Houston's drowning, coroner says

Whitney Houston died from an accidental drowning in a hotel bathtub, but the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use" were contributing factors in her death, the Los Angeles County coroner said in an initial autopsy report released Thursday.

Houston, 48, was "found submerged in bathtub filled with water" and "no trauma or foul play is suspected," the coroner said in a one-page release.
Her cocaine use appeared to have occurred "in the time period just immediately prior to her collapse in the bathtub at the hotel," Chief Coroner Craig Harvey told reporters.

The 60% narrowing of her arteries "suggest a cardiac event complicated by the cocaine use" led to Houston's slipping underwater, Harvey said.

"Something happened that caused her to go down and we know that when she slipped under the water she was still alive," he said. "We have evidence of drowning since there was water in the lungs."

The toxicology tests found other drugs in her body, including marijuana, the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, the muscle relaxant Flexeril and the allergy medicine Benadryl, the report said. But these drugs "did not contribute to the death," it said.

The report released Thursday did not disclose the levels of each drug, but that information will be included in the final coroner report to be made public within two weeks, the coroner said.

Houston's family, which had been informed of the findings before Thursday's release, issued a statement through a family spokeswoman.

"We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure," said Patricia Houston, the singer's sister-in-law and former manager.

Houston died February 11 in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, the day before the music industry gathered for the annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Authorities had said that police and fire officials were called to Houston's room at the Beverly Hilton after her unconscious body was found in the bathtub, just hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy party at the hotel.

Houston won six Grammys and sold 170 million albums, singles and videos over her career.

In recent years, the singer's accomplishments were overtaken by her struggles with drug addiction.


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Sources: CNN, Google Maps

Whitney Houston Sings "Yes Jesus Loves Me" LIVE (Video)

Yes Jesus Loves Me For The Bible Tells Me So.

If Whitney Houston had NEVER become a World Famous Celebrity & had instead pursued a Career as a School Teacher, how many Of the same Celebrities who attended her Home Going Service yesterday would dare speak to her on the Street?

Including Mayor Cory Booker, Rev. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson Sr., etc.,
I'm NOT Hating. I'm just asking.

You know I used to be so concerned about what other people said or thought of me.
When people would spread Rumors about me or accuse me of things I NEVER did, it would deeply hurt me or leave me distraught.
I did NOT know at that time those people were just being "Haters", who wanted to knock me off of my game.

I tried to change the way I look, the way I dressed, the way I behaved, the way I Spoke, etc.,
I even cut my Hair really Short one time & tried to make it Kinky, just to gain the Acceptance or Approval of other Human Beings.
I actually went through a Total Metamorphosis: just to gain the Acceptance & Approval of Human Beings.
However once I gained the Acceptance & Approval of "Certain" People, I was still Empty & Unhappy on the Inside.
Why?
Because I did NOT know my Worth.

(NOT Boasting)
I knew I was a Born Again Christian because I received Jesus as a Young Child.
I Knew I was Closely Blood-Related to College Professors, Entrepreneurs & Politicians.
I Knew of my Native American background.
I knew I was Intelligent.
I knew I was outwardly Pretty.
I knew I had the ability to always bounce back regardless of Adversity, but....
because I had NEVER Studied God's Word, I still did NOT know my Worth!

Thus it was easy for the opinion of other Human Beings to Hurt Me, Change Me or Distract Me.

Until One Day....

I decided to pick up the Owner's Manual.
GOD'S HOLY WORD!

I picked up God's Word & began to Read and Study it.
While Studying God's Word I learned Who I was In Christ!

Now....
Regardless of what anyone says about Me, I can Laugh it off, Shake My Head & Keep It Moving.

I now know NO One Else Compares to JESUS!

It doesn't matter about your Background,
It doesn't matter about your Pedigree.
It doesn't matter where you live.
It doesn't matter how you Look.
It doesn't matter your Socio-Economic Status.
It doesn't matter your personal achievements.
Compared to Eternity, ALL Of those things are just Superficial anyway!

My Peace is now In Pleasing God because I know who I am In Christ Jesus.

So Should Human Beings Set Personal Goals For Their Lives?
YES! Of Course We Should!
So Should Human Beings Strive for Success?
YES! Of Course We Should!
So Should Human Beings use our God-given Gifts to Achieve Success?
YES! Of Course We Should!

But Just Remember Why You Are Doing It.
Are You Striving To Achieve Success To Meet Your Own Personal Goals or....
To Please Other Human Beings?
Yes Jesus Loves Me!


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Sources: AP, Daily Mail, Jet Magazine, Youtube, Google Maps

Whitney Elizabeth Houston Is Laid To Rest At Fairview Cemetery R.I.P.

Whitney Houston's journey 'home' ends


Whitney Houston's journey "home" ends with a private burial in New Jersey on Sunday as questions persist about what caused the superstar's death.

A crowd gathered at the entrance to
Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, south of Newark, where Houston's body arrived at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield late Sunday morning.

She was laid to rest next to her father in the cemetery, located south of Newark.

Her burial brings an end to her "coming home," as her family dubbed the invitation-only memorial service held a day earlier at her childhood church in Newark.

The family-only burial is in contrast to the emotionally-charged, star-studded memorial service held at New Hope Baptist Church, where Houston, nicknamed "Nippy," was soloing in the junior choir by age 11.

"Jesus Loves Me" was the last song Houston sang in public before her death on February 11 in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 48.

So it was fitting that the mourners -- comforted and encouraged by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly -- heard the simple, but powerful, "Jesus Loves Me," this time performed by CeCe Winans.

The mourners inside the church represented an amalgamation of Houston's life, from childhood friends to gospel singers, from music stars to movie stars.

"You literally felt like this was just a girl from New Jersey who had a few famous friends, and it was such a celebration of life," CNN producer Raelyn Johnson, who attended the funeral, said Sunday.

"It is the same church service that will go on in so many churches across the country this morning ... and it was celebration, it was singing, it was praise for three hours." Johnson said. "And it wasn't until the very end that you remembered that this was a funeral and a very sad day for a lot of people."

Kevin Costner, who cast Houston in her first role alongside him in "The Bodyguard," recalled how she questioned whether she was good enough, beautiful enough to be cast in the film.

"It was the burden that made her great and the part that caused her to stumble in the end," he said.

For her closest friends inside the church, and strangers who continue to draw inspiration from her voice, Costner's words hit a painfully honest note about human frailty.

Years after "The Bodyguard" hit theaters, reports of Houston's struggles with drug addiction and a rocky marriage with Bobby Brown surfaced and her album sales declined.

"The inexplicable burden that comes with fame," Costner said. "Call it doubt. Call it fear. I've had mine. I know the famous in the room have had theirs."
Costner said Houston's own story could help a new generation of young girls who dream big.

"Maybe they're thinking they aren't good enough," he said. "I think Whitney would tell you: Guard your bodies. Guard the precious miracle of your life. Then sing your hearts out, knowing that there's a lady in heaven who's making God himself wonder how He created something so perfect."

One of the most emotional moments in the service came when Keys recalled how Houston helped her and others achieve success.

"She reached back to so many people; she reached back to me, to Monica and Brandy ... and just made us feel strong and capable and loved," she said.

Keys ended her tribute to Houston by singing "Send Me an Angel," her voice soaring into the rafters of the sanctuary.

Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Spike Lee were among those who attended.

"It wasn't until the very last moment that you pinched yourself and said, 'There's Oprah Winfrey with a face full of tears, there's Tyler Perry with a face full of tears," said Johnson, recalling the moment that Houston's casket was carried out of the church. "It all really sunk in and got really, really heavy."

Houston's former husband, Bobby Brown, also arrived at the service but left soon after. Brown walked by Houston's casket with his head down before the service began and then left. Brown accused security of treating his family badly and barring him from visiting with his daughter, an account that Houston's family denied.

Brown was expected to attend with two guests but showed up with 10 people and sat in a section reserved for family, a close friend of the Houston family told CNN on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

When Brown refused to reseat his entourage to make room for Houston's mother, the family asked police to intervene, the family member said.

Mourners heard only a few indirect references to her personal battles.

A close family friend told CNN recently that Houston had not used "hard drugs" for several years. Investigators are examining prescription drugs found in her hotel room.

At the time of her death, Houston was in the Los Angeles area for the annual Grammy Awards and was to attend a party hosted by her longtime mentor and record producer, Clive Davis. She was discovered dead in her hotel suite at the upscale Beverly Hilton.

Investigators are contacting doctors and pharmacies across the country, seeking answers about prescriptions found in Houston's hotel room and whether they played a role in her death, a source with knowledge of the investigation recently told CNN.

The source spoke on condition of anonymity citing the ongoing investigation.
Houston's death certificate is only fueling speculation after coroners deferred making a determination as to the cause of death pending the outcome of toxicology tests.

The investigation also sparked questions on her behavior during her final days, with authorities examining video from her television appearances as well as other reports to determine her physical state leading up to her death on the eve of the Grammy Awards, the source said.


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Sources: AP, CNN, Daily News, Jet Magazine, Johnson Publications, NJ.com, TMZ, Google Maps

Whitney Houston Sings "My Love Is Your Love" LIVE (Videos)

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Sources: CBS, New Hope Baptist Church, Youtube, Google Maps

Whitney Houston Tribute From The P.S. 22 Chorus In Staten Island, NY

Only in America: PS 22 Chorus Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston


The Public School 22 Chorus from Staten Island burst into YouTube fame performing jaw-dropping renditions of popular songs that rivaled the original recordings by artists like Adele, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and many others.

On the eve of Whitney Houston's funeral, the PS22 school chorus honors the late singer on "Piers Morgan Tonight," exclusively debuting one of her most loved songs, "The Greatest Love of All."

The PS 22 Chorus have viral videos circling the internet amassing over 41 million collective views and performed on many national platforms, including the 83rd Academy Awards. Denise Bestman, an 11-year old alum gained mainstream fame during last Sunday’s GRAMMY commercial by singing Adele’s award-winning hit “Rolling in the Deep” and spoke to Piers Morgan earlier this week.

Only in America: A tribute to an all-American diva.


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Sources: CNN, Jet Magazine, NY Daily News, P.S. 22, Google Maps

Whitney Houston Sings "Don't Cry For Me" (Videos)

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Sources: Youtube, Google Maps

Whitney Houston's Wake: Bobbi Kristina, Cissy, Family, Friends (Video)

Saying their goodbyes: Whitney Houston's mother Cissy and daughter Bobbi Kristina lead family mourners at wake ahead of funeral in star's New Jersey hometown


1) Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina pictured for first time since she was rushed to hospital following the singer's death

2) Throngs of fans line streets as police procession guides family and friends to private viewing ahead of funeral

3) Singer's mother Cissy leads family and friends including Dionne Warwick and Clive Davis

4) Ray- J, who has said Whitney will 'live in his heart forever', and his sister Brandy flew out of LAX


Whitney Houston's mother Cissy, and her daughter Bobbi Kristina led family and friends attending a private viewing at a funeral home in New Jersey today.

A tearful Cissy Houston arrived at Whigham Funeral Home in the singer's hometown of Newark as she joined close friend and relatives to pay their respects ahead of the funeral on Saturday.

As well as being surrounded by family the 78-year-old was accompanied by a strong police presence who ensured the large crowds of fans who gathered outside the home kept their distance.

Cissy was escorted into the building by a priest and held hands with a woman in a crisp white shirt. The former gospel singer was dressed smartly in a black coat with an orange and brown leopard print scarf wrapped around her shoulders.

Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina, pictured in public for first time since she was rushed to hospital following the singer's death in a Beverly Hills hotel, arrived at the funeral home in dark jeans, white vest and a black jacket.

The 18-year-old is the daughter of Houston and her former husband Bobby Brown. It has been reported that the teen will now live with her grandmother 'indefinitely' according to HollywoodLife.com.

The teenager hid her eyes between a pair of sunglasses and held the hand of a friend as she walked past security.

Family and friends were greeted by what appeared to be an Egyptian decorated casket outside the home.

As well as close family of Whitney in attendance friends also gathered together to pay their respects.

Dionne Warwick was seen arriving and had wore a white shirt and a pair of dark trousers.

Whitney's mentor and life-long friend Clive Davies also made an appearance as reports have emerged the music producer tried to get the singer to enter rehab in the weeks leading up to her death.

Whitney's on-off boyfriend Ray-J was seen making his way through LAX airport with his sister Brandy on their way to New Jersey ahead of the funeral.

Kevin Costner, who starred opposite Houston in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, was also seen making his way east at the airport.

Fans gathered outside where they signed a book of condolence and laid tributes, including flowers, balloons and teddy bears.

It is expected that fans will be blocked off the site once the 48-year-old star's family arrives for her wake ahead of tomorrow's funeral.

Family including daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18, along with her grandmother Cissy, 78, Miss Houston's mother, are due to say a more private goodbye at the pre-funeral service.

The gold hearse which conveyed her body to the funeral home remained parked outside, while fans lined up to pay their respects.

Already, some were waiting outside the temporarily crash barriers near the funeral home.

David Bowie will supposedly be among those attending the private service as will Janet Jackson, rapper Jay-Z, Mariah Carey and R n B singer R Kelly.

Alicia Keys will reportedly perform, as will Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, who was Miss Houston’s godmother.

The late singer’s husband Bobby Brown will also be attending after her family put aside their grievances and begrudgingly sent him an invitation.

It had been thought he would be kept away amid resentment he led his wife astray and fears he was trying to get his hands on her £25million fortune.

The 90-minute service will take place at noon local time at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where Miss Houston was first discovered as a teenager.

It will reportedly be a mixture of religious music and celebrity tributes including a speech from Kevin Costner, Miss Houston’s co-star in The Bodyguard.

The church’s choir will perform the processional and the opening and a house band will be on stage throughout.

The song list and who will be in the backing cast for each artist has not yet been worked out.

Among the others who will reportedly attend the service are Dionne Warwick, Miss Houston’s cousin, Bill Cosby and U.S. chat show queen Oprah Winfrey.

R n B singer Brandy will be there as will The Rev Jessie Jackson, Chaka Khan and US X Factor judge Antonio 'L.A.' Reid.

Sir Elton John has denied reports he will be there.

The eulogy will be read by the Pastor Marvin Winans, who married Miss Houston and Brown in 1992.

All the proceedings will be streamed live on the Internet and roadblocks will be in place around the church to keep the public back and ensure those attending can get there on time.

Just hours later Brown, 43, will apparently split from the rest of his grieving family and travel to Connecticut - where he will play a lucrative concert at a casino.

The funeral comes one week after Houston was found dead in the bath of her hotel room in Los Angeles.

Police have reportedly obtained her medical records and are investigating what drugs were supplied to her in her final days.

No cause of death has been identified yet and officials are waiting for the results of toxicology tests.

Ray J, who was dating Whitney in the months before her death has finally broken his silence.

The 31-year-old released a statement that said: 'Over the past few days, I've tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words.

The world lost an icon, but I lost my close friend.'

Alluding to a nickname given to Whitney by her father he added: 'Nippy, I miss you so much!'
'You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever.'
Ray J was seen at LAX airport today catching a flight to New Jersey ahead of Whitey's service tomorrow.

Today it has been revealed that Mel Gibson reached out to the I Didn’t Know My Own Strength singer a few years ago to try and deal with her addiction issues.

The Braveheart star was invited to the funeral tomorrow by Whitney's family but is unable to attend because of prior family commitments TMZ reports.



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Sources: Daily Mail, NJ.com, Google Maps