Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston (1963–2012) was an American singer and actress whose powerful voice and hit recordings made her one of the best-selling music artists. Her film roles included the 1992 romantic thriller The Bodyguard.

I Will Always Love You: A 1973 song written and first recorded by Dolly Parton, later covered by Whitney Houston. Houston’s 1992 recording became the defining vocal centerpiece of The Bodyguard.
Gospel music: A tradition of Christian music rooted in African American worship and performance. Houston’s phrasing, melisma, and emotional intensity drew on gospel singing.
Cissy Houston: An American gospel and soul singer who was Whitney Houston’s mother. Cissy’s professional singing and musical guidance formed part of Houston’s early musical environment.
Mariah Carey: An American singer-songwriter known for a wide vocal range, melismatic singing, and pop and R&B hits. Carey’s early career was frequently compared with Houston’s, whose success helped define the era’s vocal ideal.
The Bodyguard: A 1992 romantic thriller film starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. Houston’s acting debut and soundtrack made the film a major part of her global stardom.
Melisma: A vocal technique in which one syllable is sung across several pitches. Houston used elaborate runs to heighten climactic moments in ballads.
Dionne Warwick: An American singer whose career included numerous pop and R&B hits beginning in the 1960s. Warwick was Houston’s cousin and an established example of crossover success in popular music.
Beyoncé: An American singer, songwriter, and performer who first gained prominence as a member of Destiny’s Child. Beyoncé has cited Houston among the vocal performers who influenced her.
Saving All My Love for You: A song written by Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser, recorded by Marilyn McCoo and later by Whitney Houston. Houston’s version became her first US number-one single.
Vocal register: A range of pitches produced through a particular pattern of vocal-fold vibration. Her controlled movement across registers helped give her performances power and flexibility.

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