Whitney Houston, the iconic pop star, made an indelible mark on the music industry, standing out as one of the greatest artists of all time. Her unparalleled success as a hitmaker is evident through her groundbreaking achievements. She was the first artist to achieve a remarkable feat of having seven consecutive singles reach number one on the charts, starting from ‘Saving All My Love for You’ (1985) and culminating with ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ (1988). ‘I Will Always Love You’ (1992), her rendition of Dolly Parton’s classic, emerged as the biggest hit single in rock history, solidifying her position as a music legend. Houston’s initial albums, ‘Whitney Houston’ and ‘Whitney’, both achieved diamond platinum status, followed by a series of multi-platinum records including the critically acclaimed soundtrack for The Bodyguard. With a versatile vocal range that effortlessly navigated through adult contemporary ballads, dance-pop tunes, and contemporary R&B tracks, Houston captivated audiences of all genres, establishing herself as a versatile artist with mass appeal.
Born as Whitney Elizabeth Houston on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, she inherited her musical talents from her mother, the renowned gospel/R&B singer Cissy Houston, and was also related to the legendary Dionne Warwick. Houston’s musical journey began at a young age, with her solo performances in the gospel choir at her local church. As she progressed in her musical career, she accompanied her mother in performances and even shared the stage with illustrious artists like Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan. Houston’s entry into the music industry was unconventional, starting with a feature in Bill Laswell’s jazz-funk ensemble Material, where she showcased her vocal prowess on the ballad ‘Memories’. Her talent captured the attention of industry titan Clive Davis, leading to her first recording contract. Subsequently, her collaboration with Teddy Pendergrass on ‘Hold Me’ marked her debut on the R&B charts in 1984, setting the stage for her meteoric rise to stardom.