Jamal Anderson's Blog – Jam's World

I have never stopped listening to Whitney Houston sing. I believe I have listened to at least one Whitney Houston song a week since she first exploded into stardom. I don’t understand how you could not be listening? With a voice most certainly blessed by whatever God you believe in, Whitney was, in a word, astonishing.

Intelligent, focused & fierce when she arrived on the scene as a cover model, Whitney was destined for stardom. With the face of an angel, the physical structure of a super model, and that VOICE! We were all mesmerized when Whitney took the world by storm with her first album release. Instantly, we knew this was not the ‘around the way girl’ looking for a quick buck. As well, we could instantly tell Whitney was an ‘around the way’ few had ever seen before. I say ’round the way girl’ because despite her phoenix like rise to world wide fame, Jersey was always in her heart.
In her passing, many things have been said. Some kind, some irrelevant, some taking advantage of her loss. In this time of sadness, I want you to think of Whitney. There is no school you can attend that equips you on how to deal with being a global SUPERSTAR. Think of what your life would be like. How would you handle not being able to go ANYWHERE in the world without a single person not recognizing you? How would you handle dealing with your insecurities on a world stage? How would you handle meteoric success, with meteoric pressure? Answer those questions before you judge Whitney. Now, imagine for a moment the very thing that made you a star, slipping away….

I will make no excuses for Whitney’s setbacks, but before you judge her, imagine having to BE HER. I choose to remember the mother, the talent, the beauty, THE VOICE. I could share several stories, but one in particular is most special to me. In 1996, I had to privilege of being on a tour bus with Whitney & Bobby Brown. I will never forget the night on that tour bus when Whitney, clearly tired, burst into song in front of us all. There is no suitable word to describe being in the presence of such ability. We were in awe. A mesmerizing moment, I will never forget.

Whitney, you’ve given me, and millions of others the absolute joy of listening to your voice. A voice I doubt we will ever hear like yours, ever again. You died far too soon, but your legacy will live on. Your music will bring us joy for generations. I pray that you will now, Rest In Peace Whitney.

We….Will always LOVE YOU, Whitney Houston!