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Whitney - Film
Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
Whitney
A
New Big Screen Biopic
She was
without question, one of the greatest vocal talents of all time. Musical
history has already secured her place in the annals of superior talent. Whitney
Houston’s recordings captured the strength and five octave range of a vocal
instrument that was so astounding and amazing at the same time, To hear her live
was an unreal experience. Yours truly had the distinct privilege of sitting in
on a rehearsal of Houston when she did her first show in LA at the famed Roxy
when her debut album was released. There was no one in the club but the band
and a road manager type guy. I was at the venue for other reasons, but I heard
this outstanding singer and I had to check her out.
I took a seat right in
front of the stage and being the only one in the room, Houston came right
over and started singing to me. The club was totally dark and empty. Only the
stage was lit, and her melodious voice was echoing off the walls. Needless to
say, I was blown away in awe of her sound and natural beauty. After the
rehearsal she came down and sat next to me and we talked and laughed like we
had known each other for years.
 |
Film's Director Kevin MacDonald, Film's Producer Pat Houston
|
As fate
would have it, I was present in the lobby with tons of other press outlets on the afternoon that Houston died on the 4th floor of the Beverly
Hills Hilton. It was the annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Bash. People have
complained that it should have been cancelled but this happened two hours
before the limos started arriving. Every time I’m at the Beverly Hills Hilton I
remember Houston with a spiritually meditating though.
 |
| Houston accepting her first Grammy |
The new
feature length biopic titled “WHITNEY” is a review of a life that went from the
highest highs to the lowest lows. Houston experienced it all from superstar
fame and fortune, marital infidelity, sexual ambiguity, drugs, betrayal, family
dysfunction, being molested by a close family member and motherhood. Like all
documentaries, this one starts with Houston’s early childhood upbringing in
Newark, NJ where she was born and reared, then follows her journey to stardom
and fame. From the beginning, when Houston started singing in the choir as a
child at New Hope Baptist in Newark, it was apparent even then that this child
was blessed with an unusual vocal gift.
Veteran
record mogul Clive Davis is often given credit for “discovering” Houston but he
was just one of several record execs who was invited to the club to hear her
sing and jumped ahead of the pack to sign her. Houston’s family had already
established a long track record of successful recording stars including cousin
Dionne Warwick the family gospel group “The Drinkard Singers,” and her mom
Cissy Houston. The film reveals that she was molested as a child by her cousin
singer Dee Dee Warwick, but it became the elephant in the room that was never
discussed. Dee Dee is now deceased and never faced the music for her act.
Houston’s death is shrouded in mystery. According to the films’ director Kevin
Macdonald, water from the tub Houston was found drowned in had overflowed all
the way to the bedroom of her suite yet the faucets were turned off. Plus, who
brought the drugs? There are many unanswered questions to this date.
Houston
actually grew to dislike being famous and the public scrutiny that went with it
saying that her stage persona and image was not the real her but was the Clive
Davis-record company’s creation. Ad that with her personal life problems that
she had to struggle with 24/7 and one can understand the chaos. In many ways,
she was a tormented sole. But it is safe to say that it will be a while before
the world will see the likes of her talent and powerful voice again.
©
2018 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM
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