For music fans of a certain age, and let's be honest, male music fans in particular, the question "when did you first see Whitney Houston?" can open a floodgate of pleasant memories. Some may not know that, at the start of her music career, Whitney was also a professional model; and her beauty was outpaced then only by her exceptional, once-in-a-generation voice.
For music fans of a certain age, and let's be honest, male music fans in particular, the question "when did you first see Whitney Houston?" can open a floodgate of pleasant memories. Some may not know that, at the start of her music career, Whitney was also a professional model; and her beauty was outpaced then only by her exceptional, once-in-a-generation voice.
Whitney was a contemporary of some here at SoulTracks, and we of course have our own vivid memories of that "first time." One writer recalls late nights spent in college in 1985 watching the David Letterman show with friends -- Dave at the time was considered a "subversive" and was a favorite among teens and collegians -- and seeing Whitney’s elegant and stunning debut there singing “Saving All My Love for You.” Letterman kissed her hand at the end of the performance and was the envy of young men across America. That experience was quickly followed by a trip to the local record store, where the young writer was stunned a second time by Whitney’s "album art." Purchase made!
Another SoulTracker was living with his brother when Whitney’s career was launching, and they would watch the Today Show while getting ready for work. One morning, out stepped the delightful Whitney, whom they had heard previously but never seen, singing "You Give Good Love." The brothers turned to each other, happily exclaiming, "what the h#ll was THAT!"
Luckily, YouTube makes it possible to revisit some of these memories. So check out Whitney's debut on Letterman below, and share your own Whitney memories with us!