She was 48 years old, two years younger than Michael Jackson when he passed, a comparison I make because those two are inextricably linked in my mind – much more for the genius and brilliance that made them stars than for the controversy and personal demons that embroiled them later in life.

Simply put, the two most iconic voices of my childhood were those of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.

It wasn’t just that they became super-duper-mega-stars in the mid-80s right as I started to become a coherent human, or that they mom seemed to play them constantly in the house and in the car; it’s that even at that young an age – 4, 5, 6 – I already genuinely enjoyed their music.

I’ve written about Michael on MSF numerous times, because he is far and away my favorite musical artists of all time. Not long after he passed, I wrote this about the King of Pop: My Personal Tribute to the Complex Life and Incredible Legacy of Michael Jackson.

Though she never reached the historic popularity and notoriety of MJ, Houston’s legacy too can most certainly be described as both complex and incredible.

In addition to her iconic voice, Whitney Houston's pre-meltdown and addiction smile radiated like few others'.

The Legacy of Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston’s legacy is complex, of course, because of the drug and alcohol abuse and generally erratic behavior that derailed it.

But it is unquestionably incredible because of the wonderful catalog of music she leaves behind and the memory we all will have of one of the greatest voices any human has ever been gifted. Truly, it was a gift to us all.

If you need a reminder, just listen to the isolated vocals from “How Will I Know.” Mind-blowing.

As I write this, I have no idea what the cause of Whitney’s death is, though I think we can all fairly speculate, as Houston was still publicly battling her drug demons as recently as May of 2011. Houston’s is a sad, unfortunate story that came to an all-to-predictable but no less disappointing end.

She is not the first artistic genius to die well before her time and to do so tragically and ignominiously, nor will she be the last. And the memory of Whitney that has been forced into our heads for the last decade plus will never go away.

But it will also never transcend her talent, nor her songs. Whitney’s slow but steady meltdown and agonizing fall from grace may have been spectacular, pejoratively speaking, but still not nearly as spectacular as the vocal brilliance she created.

So no more dwelling on the negativity.

I’m sure we’ll all do plenty of that in the coming hours and days. We always do when a troubled star of Houston’s magnitude passes on.

Tonight, I just want to focus on and re-live the music. Something tells me you’ll agree. And if you don’t yet, just starting hitting play. You will.

Whitney once asked, “Where do broken hearts go?” Hopefully Whitney went somewhere she has peace. Her fans can go to the music.

In honor of the late, great Whitney Houston, here are all 11 of her #1 singles (plus a most worthy honorable mention), presented in somewhat close to chronological order.

1. “How Will I Know”

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2. “Saving All My Love For You”

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3. “Greatest Love Of All”

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4. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”

Note: This is my personal favorite Whitney song. It’s not necessarily her best or most impressive performance, but I just enjoy this song more than any other.

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5. “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”

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6. “So Emotional”

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7. “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?”

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8. “I’m Your Baby Tonight”

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9. “All The Man That I Need”

Note: When this song first came out, I remember thinking for some reason that it was about Randall Cunningham. Anyone know anything about this? I was nine at the time, so who knows where I picked that information up, but it’s endured to this day, true or not.

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10. “I Will Always Love You”

Note: this was song was originally recorded by Dolly Parton. I did not know that until tonight. Whitney’s version stayed at #1 for an amazing 14 weeks. Wow.

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11. “Exhale”

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Honorable Mention: “Star Spangled Banner”

Note: this did not reach #1, but it was top 20, becoming one of the only times that an artist made the “Star Spangled Banner” a hit on the pop charts.

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Rest in peace Whitney.

Thank you for the music and a voice unlike any we ever heard before or will ever hear again.

Seriously, that is my only question: why? The Backstreet Boys. Really?

If you don’t what I am talking about, the Backstreet Boys sang the National Anthem last night for Game 1 of the World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. Yes, those Backstreet Boys — Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Joe Buck.

Here, just hit play and watch the annoying video below:

Game 1 was a very good game. Cole Hamels was masterful, and is quickly earning a reputation as a Josh Beckett-style big game pitcher. And a record was set last night: the Phillies went an ARod-like 0-13 with runners in scoring position, yet still won the game. That is the most hitless at-bats with runners in scoring position for a team that won a World Series game. For the Rays, they had plenty of opportunities as well, but playoff hero BJ Upton grounded into consecutive rally-killing double plays. All in all, it was a great Game and portends good things for the future of this series. I see a Game 7, minimum of 6.

But getting back to the Buckstreet Boys (that was not a typo); I only decided to post about this because I was the morning radio show I was listening to it had some excellent commentary regarding the National Anthem. Too often, as was the case with the Backstreet Boys last night, artists use the National Anthem as a personal showcase to promote their own interests and careers. However, in doing so they miss the post: the singing of the National Anthem is to honor America, not your new album or vocal range.

There is no problem with an inspired rendition. Easily the greatest National Anthem I have ever heard is the famous pre-crack Whitney Houston version from the Super Bowl during Desert Storm. The video is below:

Seriously, if you don’t get goosebumps listening to her sing I have to question whether you are actually have blood pumping through your veins. It was some 17 years ago in 1991, I was around 10 at the time, and I can still remember it vividly without watching the video. That is what a National Anthem is supposed to be. Heartfelt, passionate, and inspired — where the artist’s talents complement the song, not the other way around.

With the Backstreet Turds you got the sense that every single note was strategically choreographed and they sounded almost mechanical to me. Plus, they changed the key in so many places. Umm…you’re the frieking backstreet boys. You made your names singing bubblegum pop and doing lame dance moves for teenage girls. What exactly gives you the impression that we want your interpretation of one of the most perfectly constructed songs ever written? Besides, if anyone is going to switch it up and put their own spin on it, leave it to a master. Like Marvin Gaye:

Maybe I’m being too harsh on the Backstreet Boys, I don’t know. But listening to them sing last night was like nails on a chalkboard. I just miss the “old days” when legitimate singers like Whitney Houston actually paid tribute to America with their versions, and literally inspired people. Do you remember how many people actually purchased the single of the Whitney Houston National Anthem? Her talent had a lot to do with it — she could sing the phone book and capture an audience — but I think more importantly it was the passion that was palpable as she sang.

I just didn’t get that feeling last night, or anything close to it. Maybe it’s because I think the Backstreet Boys suck, and maybe I was just personally biased against their version from the start. But it’s a trend I’m noticing: pop stars using the stage of the National Anthem to promote themselves, and not the glorious history of freedom and liberty that defines America.

Or maybe, as I near 30, I’m just getting old-fashioned. But for the National Anthem, and especially on the grandest of stages like the World Series, give me Whitney Houston or Marvin Gaye any time. Leave the Backstreet Boys for TRL and the minor leagues.

[tags]mlb, world series, backstreet boys, whitney houston, marvin gaye, national anthem[/tags]