Whitney Houston, 48, the singing sensation and pop-celebrity, was found dead at 3:23 p.m. PST, on Feb. 11 by Beverly Hills Police, who responded to an emergency call at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The cause of death is still under investigation.
The one-time reigning ‘Queen of Pop’ had sold 170 million albums and singles worldwide, but suffered later in her career from drug use and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown.
On a brisk Sunday morning at the Bristow Commons Farmers Market, locals responded to the news of Houston’s passing with shock and remorse.
“I was lying on the couch (last night) when my friend sent me a text message about it,” said Sheleta Anderson of Bristow’s Smart Market.
Thinking the information might have originated from an Internet hoax, Anderson immediately searched Google for "Whitney Houston," and confirmed the information.
Anderson remembers Houston as a singing legend as well as a relative to many of soul’s greatest divas, such as Sissy Houston, Dion Warwick and “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, of whom Houston was the Goddaughter.
“I’m hoping it’s not drug-related,” Anderson said.
Sally Holdener of Rainbow Acres Farm also learned of Houston’s passing on Saturday night.
“I was cutting up chicken and listening to NPR, actually the BBC, when it cut in,” Holdener said.
Although she admits she never bought a Houston album, she best remembers Houston from her work on The Bodyguard soundtrack.
But while most had heard of the pop-legend's passing, some were unaware.
Stephen Prasser had not previously heard and was visibly shocked by the revelation, although not entirely surprised to hear of Houston’s passing, wondered aloud if it might be drug related.
Despite Houston’s faltering, most agreed she was a music icon, an artist with a superior vocal range, and one whose recordings proved to be the soundtrack for major milestones in their lives.
However, for one Caribou Coffee costumer, the name Whitney Houston lit no flame of recognition.
“Who’s that? I’ve never heard of her,” she said, while waiting for her hot coco, then as though explaining, said “I’m only twelve.”
This makes sense, because despite the many media rumors, Houston has been largely out of the spotlight for the last ten years, in effect leaving the "Milleniums" excluded from the collective memories of Houston the older generations share.
“It’s shocking. Very tragic, kind of like Amy Winehouse,” Keri McDonnell said, naming an artist, perhaps even tweens could recognize.
“She’s had a lot of trouble with drugs in the past 15 years,” McDonnell said, but before she turns to leave, adds, “I blame Bobby Brown.”
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