By Leland Kim
I was in junior high school when I discovered this album at my local “Music Plus” record store. I was immediately captivated by the image of a young Whitney Houston.
She very regal-like on a her debut album cover, which featured an unknown princess whose stunning looks made the record look like an art piece. I bought it and fell in love with Whitney’s voice.
Like millions of her other fans, I cherished every chart-topping single and every #1 album. Her first single “You Give Good Love” showcased not only her powerful voice but her MTV-friendly beauty. And her hopeful single “Greatest Love of All” captured the hopes and dreams of young people.
In 1988 her single “One Moment in Time” captured the collective pride and optimism of the nations participating in the Seoul Summer Olympics.
I watched as she quickly influenced a generation of young female singers whose “style” came to be an imitation of Whitney Houston’s signature voice. She represented THE standard of female singers during the mid ’80s to the late ’90s.
Her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV in 1991 came at a time when U.S. patriotism was a high during the early days of the Gulf War. Her power and patriotism captured the mood of most Americans. It remains my favorite rendition of our national anthem.
Although her recent personal struggles have been the subject of tabloid fodder, I think most will remember Whitney for the incredible talent she was. Her music will live on long after people stop speculating about what could’ve been done to prevent this needless tragedy. Rest In Peace, Whitney. Thank you for the gift of your music.
