It's hard to believe that it has been two years since we have lost the greatest singer of my lifetime. Yes, I said of my lifetime. The woman could do with a song, what Michael Jordan could do with a basketball. If you don't believe me, watch her 1991 rendition of "Star Spangled Banner". That song has been done thousands of times, but nobody did it like Ms. Houston.
I remember the first time that I heard her angelic voice. The year was 1985, and I had just received a two cassette player boom box (Anybody under 30 doesn't know about those....ha!). I was listening to 99.1 the Fox, the local radio station, and The Greatest Love of All came on. I didn't know who this woman was, but I knew if she sang the alphabet, I had to hear it, and I had to be present. This started an almost 30 year love affair both with her voice, and her public persona.
She was kind and gracious. She was called a "diva", but if that means because she was at the top of the craft, then a diva she was. What I loved most about Ms. Houston is how gracious she was to her fans, and how she mentored other young ladies in the music industry (Brandy, Monica, just to name a few).
My only regret is that I never got to see her in concert, or to meet her in person, but I have every cd; I have watched every live performance. Not a day goes by that I am not playing a cd, or visiting Youtube to watch a live performance.
She will always be, "The Voice". Her songs got me through some of the most difficult times in my life, and her voice inspired me to be a better singer.
Rest easy Ms. Houston, and I Will Always Love You!
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