Whitney Houstons Influences

During Whitney Houston's formative years, she was influenced by many individuals who helped shape her into the kind and open-hearted woman she became. One of the individuals who played a significant role in Whitney's life was Darlene Love, an American singer who also happened to be Whitney's aunt. Growing up, Whitney had a close relationship with Darlene, whom she looked up to from a young age. In a Rolling Stone interview, Darlene shared some of her fond memories of Whitney, stating, "I met Whitney when she was eight years old.

Her mother Cissy, Dee Dee Warwick, and myself sang background for Dionne Warwick for almost 10 years. When we performed in New York or Connecticut, instead of staying in a hotel, I would stay with Cissy. Whitney, whom we called Nippy, would always offer her room to me. She was always eager to help. At the time, I was pregnant and loved to eat fruit. Whitney would run down the street to the corner store to buy fruit for me, asking if I needed anything else. She was charming from day one."

Darlene Love, born as Darlene Wright on July 26, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, began her singing career at a young age. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles before the rise of racial tension, violence, and crime, Love's early exposure to music came from singing in her church choir, where her father was a minister. While still in high school, Love was already performing as part of a girl group called The Blossoms, providing backup vocals for artists like Sam Cooke and Bobby Day.

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Love's talent caught the attention of Phil Spector, a groundbreaking producer who recognized her voice's unique potential. In an interview, Spector noted, "Darlene was a godsend." With exemplary technique, control, and flexibility, Love's voice was well-suited for the adolescent emotional experiences that Spector's songs often dealt with. Love's career pned several decades, and she was eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During Whitney Houston's childhood, she had the privilege of being surrounded by many great, incredible, and passionate women, including Darlene Love, who played a significant role in Whitney's life.

Whitney Houston's unparalleled talent as a singer, even after her passing, can be attributed to the strong qualities she inherited from her many influences. One of her notable influences was the legendary Aretha Franklin. With Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston, serving as a backup singer, Whitney had numerous opportunities to interact with Aretha.

According to an interview with Aretha conducted by the San Diego Union Tribune, Whitney's connection with Aretha was not only professional but also personal. Whitney's love for Aretha's music was evident from a young age, as she would spend hours singing along to her records. Whitney's rendition of Aretha's songs showed her deep understanding of the emotions conveyed by Aretha's music.

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1942, and began touring with her father's traveling revival show at a young age. She later signed with Columbia Records after they visited New York, and subsequently released several popular singles. In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and by 2008, she had won a total of 18 Grammy Awards, making her one of the most celebrated artists in Grammy history.

Aretha was influenced by artists such as Cooke and Dinah Washington, and she followed in their footsteps, exploring genres such as pop and blues. In 1961, Aretha released her debut album, "Aretha," which included two tracks that made it to the R&B top 10 category. The same year, she had a breakthrough success with the single "Rockabye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody," which reached No. 37 on the pop charts.

Aretha Franklin was a highly respected and sought-after performer who sang at many prestigious events throughout her career. She had the honor of performing at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was also selected to sing the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In 2008, she was chosen to sing at the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. Aretha Franklin's musical talent and legacy have placed her among the ranks of other greats such as Alison Krauss, Adele, and Beyoncé.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Aretha Franklin spoke about her encounter with Whitney Houston, whom she had met at a recording session when Houston was around nine or ten years old. Franklin recalled how Houston was quiet and attentive, with little red pigtails and her hair parted in the middle. As Houston grew up, she became a glamorous and graceful performer with an incredible voice, just like her mother Cissy Houston. Aretha Franklin was impressed with Houston's talent and recognized her as one of the great sopranos.

Aretha Franklin passed away on August 12, 2018, surrounded by her family and friends at her home in Detroit.

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