Whitney Houston's career: A celebration of an icon
She had an amazing career
Whitney Houston was one of the most talented singers of all time. Starting out in the early 1980s, the New Jersey-born star went on to achieve huge success with hits including 'How Will I Know' and 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'.
During her career, she released seven studio albums, two soundtrack albums, won six Grammy Awards, starred in and produced a number of hit movies, and was one of the best-selling female musicians of all time.
We take a look at Whitney's biggest career moments, including the awards she won, films she starred in and hit songs she released.
You can hear songs by Whitney Houston on Greatest Hits Radio.
Take a look at Whitney Houston's incredible career:
Early 1980s: Career beginnings
Whitney Houston was born on 9th August 1963 to ex-Army serviceman and Newark city administrator John Russell Houston Jr and gospel singer Cissy Houston.
Through her mother's family, Whitney was a first cousin of legendary singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.
Following in the footsteps of her musical heritage, Whitney was on stage from a young age alongside her mother. She performed in the junior gospel choir at her local church in Newark, New Jersey and at the age of 16, sang background vocals for funk icon Chaka Khan.
1983: Signing a record deal
In the early 1980s, Whitney began working as a fashion model and became the first woman of colour to feature on the cover of Seventeen magazine.
In 1983, an A&R representative from Arista Records saw Whitney performing at a nightclub. She impressed label head Clive Davis who signed her on a worldwide record deal.
1985-1987: Debut album and Grammy Awards
Whitney Houston released her self-titled debut album in February 1985. The album was a huge success and has since been named one of the best-selling albums of all time!
The album featured many of the star's signature hits including 'Saving All My Love For You', 'How Will I Know' and 'The Greatest Love of All'.
The album was followed by the Greatest Love Tour before Whitney bagged three nominations at the 1986 Grammy Awards and won her first Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance for 'Saving All My Love For You'.
She went on to win seven American Music Awards in 1986 and 1987 as well as an MTV Video Music Award.
1987-1991: 'Whitney' and Wembley Stadium
Whitney released 'Whitney', the much-anticipated follow up to her debut in June 1987. The album's first four singles 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody', 'Didn't We Almost Have It All', 'So Emotional' and 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go' all topped the charts in the US.
At the Grammy's in 1988, she picked up another three awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year.
Whitney was a supporter of Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement. In June 1988, she performed at Wembley Stadium to celebrate the then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela.
1992: The Bodyguard
Whitney's first film role was in 1992 hit The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner, playing the lead role of Rachel Morron.
She co-produced and recorded six songs for the movie soundtrack, including arguably Whitney's biggest hit 'I Will Always Love You', a cover of a 1974 song by Dolly Parton.
1995-1997: Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher's Wife and Cinderella
After the success of The Bodyguard, film offers continued to flood in. Whitney starred in films Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher's Wife and the made-for-television remake of Cinderella.
Whitney not only played the Fairy Godmother in Cinderalla, she produced the film and also went on to produce Sparkle in 2012, as well as The Princess Diaries and its sequel in 2001 and 2004.
1998-2000: 'My Love Is Your Love' and Greatest Hits
Whitney spent most of the early 90s working on films and soundtrack albums. In 1998, she released her first studio album for eight years called 'My Love Is Your Love', with standout single 'It's Not Right But It's Okay' released in January 1999.
The album earned Whitney six Grammy nominations. She took home the prize for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for 'It's Not Right But It's Okay', her sixth and final Grammy Award.
2009: 'I Look To You' and The X Factor
After a period of immense turmoil, drug abuse and the divorce of her partner Bobby Brown, Whitney returned with a new album called 'I Look To You', featuring her final hit 'Million Dollar Bill'.
Whitney appeared as a guest mentor of The X Factor and performed 'Million Dollar Bill' on the results show. She later embarked on a world tour, 'Nothing But Love World Tour', her first in 10 years.
February 2012: Whitney Houston dies
On 11th February 2012, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverley Hilton Hotel.
After her sad death, friends, fellow musicians and fans around the world paid tribute to the star.
Stars pay tribute
Singers including Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys performed at her funeral. Stevie Wonder sang 'Ribbon in the Sky' and 'Love's in Need of Love Today', whilst Alicia Keys performed 'Send Me An Angel'.
Tributes continued to flood in for Whitney Houston after her sad death. Dolly Parton said: "I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song, and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.'"
Soul legend Aretha Franklin commented: "It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen."
2019: 'Higher Love' is released
Back in 1990, on her 'Feels So Right' tour, Whitney performed a cover of Steve Winwood's 'Higher Love' and re-recorded the track a year later. The song was going to be on her 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' album but was never officially released.
The song was remixed by DJ Kygo, who worked with her estate, and released in 2019, making it the first new music to come from Whitney in seven years.
2020: 'I Will Always Love You' hits 1 billion views on YouTube
Originally sung by Dolly Parton, 'I Will Always Love You' was released by Whitney Houston and featured in 1992 film The Bodyguard. The hugely popular song's music video surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube in 2020.
2020: Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The superstar was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, with Alicia Keys giving the induction speech.
2020: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour
Fans of the late singer were given the chance to watch her perform as a hologram with Whitney's original band and backing singers in an exciting show. Called An Evening with Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour is an immersive live theatrical concert experience which has run from 2020 to 2022 with shows across the UK and in Las Vegas.
2022: The Bodyguard celebrates 30th anniversary
To mark 30 years since the amazing film The Bodyguard came out, the film is getting a special release event in cinemas on 6th and 9th November. As well as the film screening, the music videos for Whitney's 'Queen of the Night' and 'I Will Always Love You' will be played at the event.
Whitney not only starred in the film but also contributed to the soundtrack, and The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album will also get a speical vinyl release on 18th November to mark the occasion.
2022: I Wanna Dance With Somebody film
Starring Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston, I Wanna Dance With Somebody is scheduled for cinematic release on 26th December. The upcoming biopic will tell the story of the life and career of the music legend.
2023: Celebrating Whitney Houston's legacy
There are a few big things in the works surrounding the music and legacy of Whitney Houston coming soon. Her estate confirmed that five of her albums would get reissued on vinyl throughout 2023, including 'Whitney', 'Whitney Houston', 'I'm Your Baby Tonight', 'The Preacher's Wife', and 'My Love Is Your Love'.
Read more:
Whitney Houston: From pop icon to movie star
The incredible life and music of Stevie Wonder
'Queen of Funk' Chaka Khan’s biggest hits through the years