Whitney Houston to be buried next to father

HERE LIES. The grave stone of Whitney Houston's father,

 John Russell Houston, Jr, is seen at Fairview Cemetery in

 Westfield, N.J., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. According to

 her death certificate, Whitney Houston will be buried on

 Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in the same cemetery where her

 father was laid to rest in 2003. AP/Beth DeFalco

-By Alicia Quarles (Associated Press) 

NEW YORK — Whitney Houston’s final resting place will be next to her father, John Russell Houston Jr.
Houston will be laid to rest at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey, after funeral services on Saturday, a source close to the family confirmed. Houston’s father was buried there in 2003.
Fifteen hundred guests are expected to attend the private funeral services including Aretha Franklin, Clive Davis and Stevie Wonder.
Houston died in Beverly Hills at age 48, one day before the Grammy awards.
From source: inquirer.net

Whitney Houston died in bathtub; cause of death not yet known

HAPPY DAYS In a March 28, 1998 file photo Whitney
Houston and her husband Bobby Brown arrive for the
Versace Fall 1998 fashion show in New York.
(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

LOS ANGELES—Whitney Houston’s life of glorious song and unnerving self-destruction apparently ended in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Grammy weekend, but it could be weeks before investigators know exactly why she died.

Coroner’s officials say they will not release any information on an autopsy performed Sunday at the request of detectives investigating the singer’s death. Houston was found in the bathtub of her room, but Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter declined to say anything more about the room’s condition or any evidence investigators recovered.
There were no indications of foul play and no obvious signs of trauma on Houston’s body. Winter said toxicology tests, which would take six to eight weeks to conduct, would be necessary to determine what factor, if any, might have played in Houston’s death.

Winter declined to comment on media reports that Houston had drowned in her hotel bathtub, possibly after succumbing to drugs or alcohol.

“I’d just comment that she was found in the bathtub. … I believe somebody removed her from the bathtub and the paramedics did CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on her.”
He also said a “security hold” had been placed on the case.
A death in the family

The coroner’s briefing came as the Grammy Awards opened a few kilometers away at the Staples Center, where rapper-actor LL Cool J paid tribute to the late pop star just after the start of the star-studded show.
“We’ve had a death in our family and so at least for me … The only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for a woman we loved, for our fallen sister,” he said.

Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said his agency may release more details on Monday about Houston’s death, but it will depend on whether detectives feel comfortable releasing any information. -Read full story here, by Anthony McCartney, Associated Press.

Shock, wave of tributes pour out for pop legend Whitney Houston

Shocked and Sad. Charice’s felt like she lost a relative. 

INQUIRER file photo

-By Pocholo Concepcion (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines—Shock and a wave of tributes from music stars and industry leaders representing different generations poured out on Saturday at the news that pop legend Whitney Houston had been found dead in her hotel room in Los Angeles on the eve of the Grammys.

Her death brought a melancholic coda to one of the most celebrated careers in contemporary pop music history.

Regine Velasquez and Charice, two Filipino pop stars who cited Houston as an influence in their careers, were among those affected.

Velasquez told the Inquirer in a text message: “I’m deeply saddened by her passing. She influenced me, especially when I was just starting. I’m a fan and will always be one. Rest in peace, Ms Houston.”
Charice posted her reaction via Twitter: “One of my heroes, Whitney Houston. I will always love you … RIP.”

An hour later, Charice sent another message: “I still can’t believe this. I’m really shocked and sad. I feel like I lost a relative. I’m gonna cry. I’m shaking. Love u Whitney …”

‘DEEPLY SADDENED.’ Regine Velasquez-

Alcasid will always remain a fan. 

INQUIRER file photo

The Los Angeles Times reported that days before her death, Houston behaved erratically during an appearance on Thursday at a rehearsal for a Grammy awards party.

Though she greeted people with a warm smile, she appeared disheveled, with mismatched clothes and dripping-wet hair, the paper said.

According to the report, the singer flailed her hands frenetically as she spoke, skipped around the ballroom in a childlike fashion and wandered aimlessly about the lobby.

Musicians, many already in Los Angeles ahead of the Grammys on Sunday (Monday in Manila), paid tribute to the singer, who sold over 170 million records.

“She was one of the greatest singers I ever heard,” said veteran crooner Tony Bennett, on the red carpet at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Houston’s body was found in her fourth floor room.

“Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend … She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth,” wrote Mariah Carey.

Grammys organizing chief Neil Portnow called Houston “one of the world’s greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades … A light has been dimmed in our music community.”

Smokey Robinson told CNN: “I will always love her. She is one of the greatest voices in the history of music.”

The Recording Academy is scrambling to include some kind of tribute to Houston in Sunday evening’s show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, according to CNN.

Jermaine Jackson, whose brother Michael died in similarly shocking fashion at the age of 50 in June 2009 in Los Angeles, said his thoughts went out to Houston’s gospel singer mother Emily “Cissy” Houston.

“I can imagine what she’s going through, because I … we’ve been through with my mother and it’s very tough to lose a child, and for you to outlive your child,” he told CNN.

Christina Aguilera added: “We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney’s family. She will be missed.”

From the younger generation, Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber tweeted: “Just heard the news. so
crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family.”   -With reports from Associated Press and  AFP

Music industry mourns Whitney Houston's death

Whitney Houston has died aged 48. Photograph: PR

-By ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – Immediately after the news about the death of singer and actress Whitney Houston broke, reactions came pouring in from local and international celebrities within and outside the music industry.

A lot of celebrities expressed shock over the sudden incident.

Mariah Carey said: “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston.”

Jennifer Lopez also said: “Such a loss. One of the greatest voices of our time. Sending out prayers to her family... #R.I.P.Whitney.”

Rihanna, on the other hand, said: “No words! Just tears #DearWhitney.”

As for Christina Aguilerra, she posted: “We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney's family. She will be missed.”

Nicki Minaj also said: “Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time.”

Katy Perry was also saddened by Houston’s death. “So devastating. We will always love you Whitney, R.I.P.” she said.

This was echoed by Randy Jackson. “wow I am devastated. the world has lost another one of the best voices in history. RIP whitney houston, so fortunate am I to have worked with u, and have u touch my life. may god bless this family.”

Even singers in the Philippines were saddened over Houston’s death.

Gary Valenciano tweeted: “Ur music will live on and on. ‘There can be miracles…WHEN YOU BELIEVE’ Thank u…tho uv bin thru so much, u still inspired us. #whitneyhouston.”

As for Zsazsa Padilla, she said: “Such a sad day. :( I grew up singing your songs, Whitney Houston. Your memory and music will live on in our hearts. R.I.P.”

“I still can't believe this. I'm really shocked and sad. :'( I feel like I lost a relative. I'm gon cry. I'm shaking. Love u Whitney... :'(" said Charice, who sang Houston's "I Have Nothing" at the U.S. talk show "Oprah," which launched her international career.

Another singer who's obviously influenced by Houston, Regine Velasquez, also said: “Nakakalungkot:-( Ms Whitney Houston thank you for being part of my life and my music. RIP.”

“I'm speechless. I seriously cannot believe this. You'll be in my heart forever, and I will ALWAYS love you :'(" said young singer Maria Aragon.

Christian Bautista, for his part, said: “Another icon in the music industry has passed away, rest in peace Whitney Houston , let's remember her for the musical legacy she has shared.”

Aiza Seguerra also tweeted: “My heart is breaking...:(“

Houston, who reigned in 1980 and 1990, has died at the age of 48.

Her bodyguard found her dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel at 3:55 Saturday afternoon (Sunday morning in Manila).

The cause of Houston’s death remains unclear.