Whitney remembered by stars of music

11 February 2013 Last updated at 10:24 GMT  Whitney Houston sold more than 200 million records worldwide and was 48 years-old when she died Musicians including Dave Grohl, Janelle Monae, LA Reid and Miguel have paid tribute to Whitney Houston, a year after her death, at the age of 48.

The star died in her hotel room on 11 February last year.

Speaking at a pre-Grammy gala in Los Angeles, Grohl said Houston would be remembered "as one of the most iconic vocalists of all time."

"Not only did she sell 800 bazillion records," he added, "but she's [an] amazing singer".

Grohl was speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at music industry mogul Clive Davis's annual pre-Grammy party.

Houston had been due to attend last year's event, but died hours before it took place.

R&B singer and actress Brandy said: "She was the greatest voice of all time and nobody will ever come close to touching her. I will never forget her."

Miguel, who received a Grammy for best R&B song on Sunday night, added: "Whitney's voice was powerful. She was dynamic. I would like her to be remembered for her voice and smile. I think she'd want to be celebrated."

Honoree Antonio 'L A' Reid onstage at Clive Davis' 2013 Pre-Grammy Gala

Contemporary soul singer Janelle Monae said she wanted to keep Houston's "vision" alive.

"The 'regalness' that she had, the class that she had. That's something that I value."

Record executive and US X Factor judge Antonio "LA" Reid, who was being honoured at the event, worked with Houston on the soundtrack to her hit movie The Bodyguard.

He said he liked to remember the more personal moments he had with the star.

"I can't sing, but I used to sing with Whitney, just for fun," he said. "Just that beautiful spirit and warm personality and that amazing voice."

American Idol judge Randy Jackson said she would be remembered "as one of the greatest ever to grace a microphone. Greatest ever - that's big".

Johnny Depp, Sting, Ne-Yo, Quincy Jones and Patti Smith also attended the event at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, which was held in honour of Houston.

The singer accidentally drowned in her hotel bathroom. A coroner ruled that chronic cocaine use abuse and heart disease were also factors.

Her death sent shockwaves around the music industry, which was gathered in Los Angeles for the annual Grammy ceremony.

A last-minute tribute was arranged for the 2012 show, with singer Jennifer Hudson performing the star's biggest-selling single, I Will Always Love You.

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2013 Grammys: Whitney Houston Remembered at Clive Davis' Pre-Party

by Marc Malkin Sat., Feb. 9, 2013 10:29 PM PST

Richard Young/startraksphoto.com

What better way to honor Whitney Houston than by playing her music?

Clive Davis' paid tribute to Houston at his pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel by playing a rarely scene video of the late singer performing "All the Man That I Need" during a concert for our troops.

Clive kept his tribute to his close friend short and sweet.

All the scoop on Sunday's 55th Annual Grammy Awards

"She was the greatest contemporary singer of our lifetime," Davis said.

Houston's brother Gary was at the party as was Pat Houston, Gary's wife and Whitney's manager.

It was just a few hours before last year's party that Houston was found dead in a fourth floor suite at the Beverly Hilton.

May she rest in peace.

Whitney's Greatest Performances

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One Year After Whitney Houston's Grammys-Eve Death: Five Award Shows That Were Touched by Tragedy

by Joal Ryan Sat., Feb. 9, 2013 7:30 AM PST

John Shearer/Getty Images, Craig Sjodin/ABC

The 2012 Grammys was one for the history books.

And sadly so.

Held one day after the sudden death of singer Whitney Houston, the music-industry's prime promotional event hastily remade itself, opening with an L.L. Cool J prayer, and showcasing a Jennifer Hudson a cappella rendition of "I Will Always Love You."

Here's a look at five other instances where awards shows were forced to deal with tragic circumstances beyond their control:  

All the scoop on Sunday's 55th Annual Grammy Awards

1. Remembering Pearl Harbor: Shortly after Japan's attack on the United States, the Motion Picture Academy voted to cancel the 1942 Academy Awards. The decision subsequently was reversed, and the ceremony went on, though like never before. There was no host; attendees were asked to wear business attire; dancing was nixed.

2. The President's Been Shot: As March 30, 1981, got underway, Ordinary People was hours away from claiming Best Picture at that night's Academy Awards. But then at 2:27 p.m. ET, President Ronald Reagan was wounded by a would-be assassin, and the Oscars was called off. With Reagan's prognosis good, the show went on 24 hours later. Among its highlights: a pre-taped greeting from the president himself.

3. 9/11: In 2001, the Sept. 11 terror attacks suspended business as usual, including the Primetime Emmys, originally slated for Sept. 16. Rescheduled for Oct. 7, and set to feature a live segment with then-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the show was iced again when the U.S. war in Afghanistan was launched that same day. The show finally went on, without incident, and with low-key goodwill, on Nov. 4.  

Five big ways Hollywood was changed by 9/11

4. Assassination: The April 4, 1968, shooting death of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. resulted in turmoil throughout the country, including in Hollywood, where the Academy Awards ceremony was scheduled to go on just four days later. When prominent African-American stars, including Best Actor nominee Sidney Poitier, announced they'd sit out the show, the event was rescheduled for April 10, one day after King's funeral. Poitier attended, Gregory Peck paid tribute to King, and a crime drama that hinged on race, In the Heat of the Night, won Best Picture.  

5. Long Live the King of Pop: The 2009 BET Awards were held four days after the June 25, 2009, death of Michael Jackson, and it showed. The event underwent a "total overhaul" in working in all-star tributes to Jackson.

Divas who died too soon

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