RIP Whitney Houston

From CBS:

LOS ANGELES - Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died Saturday. She was 48.

Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters outside the Beverly Hilton that Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. in her room on the fourth floor of the hotel. Her body remained there and Beverly Hills detectives were investigating.

"There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent at this time," Rosen said.

Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the cause of her death was unknown.

Rosen said police received a 911 call from hotel security about Houston at 3:43 p.m. Saturday. Paramedics who were already at the hotel because of a Grammy party unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the singer, he said.

Beverly Hills Police Department later issued a statement:""Whitney Houston was pronounced dead that the scene by members of her entourage which included friends, co-workers, and family. Ms. Houston's daughter and mother were notified of here death."

The statement also added that "the investigation is currently being conducted" and that "there is no additional information at this time."

"The actual cause of death will be determined by the L.A. Co. Coroner's Office," it said.

Edited by idlero - 12 Feb 2012 at 2:37am

RIP

A little known fact about Whitney: a lot of people don't know that early in her career she sang one song on an early Material/Bill Laswell record. Material was of course, at that time, New York Gong under a new name.

Speaking of the tune you mention with the long held notes, I had a job long ago leading kids at a Catholic school in singing. We would sing current pop tunes etc. Someone suggested Whitney's version of the Dolly tune, so we tried it. Holding the long notes in a large group sounded horribly humorous, iiiiiiiiiiiiieeeiiiiiii  will always love youuuuuuuuuuuaaaauuuuu.

Japan broadcasted this news immediately, too last night. An action several hours before she died was broadcasted. The event in the club. Or about an action and the rumor of later years.