Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48

CBS News ^ | Feb 11, 2012

[rdl6989]

LOS ANGELES - Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.

[eyedigress]

Yes they are as the world around them makes no sense. That is where the healing begins.

[xp38]

Thanks for your presence here on FR.

[Lazamataz]

I am very proud of you, Lazamataz.

Don't be proud of ME, I could NEVER have done it. Be grateful for God. He's the one who relieved me of my suffering. I had to take certain steps, but it was HIS Grace and Mercy.

Hugs, Mom

Hugs back!

[patriot08]

Great voice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9nPf7w7pDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WH1Ma50QUk&ob=av2e

RIP, Whitney.

[JohnD9207]

16 years who am I to judge.

Thanks for lending your voice to a thread that could easily spin out of control.

Thanks...

[Lib Buster]

Didn’t Amy Winehouse’s autopsy show that she died of an asthma attack?

[truth_seeker]

“Too bad the pernicious Big Entretsinment drug culture destroyed her.”

There are plenty of people in the entertainment industry that never develop problems with drugs/alcohol and there are many who quit entirely/recover such as Eric Clapton, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), John Williams (songwriter)and others.

The only solution is quitting entirely. Obviously Houston never got that part down, as recent pictures show.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

That Super Bowl was 25 years ago. Theres a new book out called Super Bowl Monday about that game and that the game was watched on a monday for the troops oversea in Kuwait watching that game.

[Gator113]

Such a waste.

May Whitney Houston RIP.

[truth_seeker]

“Too bad the pernicious Big Entretsinment drug culture destroyed her.”

There are plenty of people in the entertainment industry that never develop problems with drugs/alcohol and there are many who quit entirely/recover such as Eric Clapton, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), John Williams (songwriter)and others.

The only solution is quitting entirely. Obviously Houston never got that part down, as recent pictures show.

[combat_boots]

And I am glad you have taken those steps, Laz.

I like having you around.

[Fightin Whitey]

>>>Old Chinese story<<<

That’s a great parable.

I hit the stuff hard and pretty much daily from my late teens until a week after my 40th birthday.

When I got around to doing the stuff I had to do to stop I would tell the people around me, the ones who were helping me quit and who had stories of their own, I would tell them that for seven years I had loved to drink, for seven years I about broke even and for seven years I hated every terrible minute.

Seems to sort parallel the Chinese perspective.

Thanks for passing it along.

[rdl6989]

Alcohol poisoning killed Amy Winehouse.

http://www.eonline.com/news/amy_winehouses_cause_of_death/271628

[potlatch]

Your philosophy is interesting and since you’ve been through it I can’t argue with it. We usually think it takes strength to overcome. But you hit the nail on the head when you talked of surrendering and leaving it to a Higher Power.

Once you asked God for help you were on the way to recovery.
Prayers that you continue FReeper friend!!

[patriot08]

Very touching posts, Laz.
God bless.

[Norm Lenhart]

Actually, I too have had the experience, and don’t think for a second that I have anything but respect for you and the fact that you beat it, or that you can freely discuss it. Because I do respect that, and you. My experience was swimming in the bottom of a bottle for many years rather than Coke/meth/heroin or whatnot. And I hurt a lot of people that I will probably never forgive myself for. I deal with it and talk to the Big Guy upstairs often about it.

My comment does not mean that I don’t have a heart or understand what addicts go through. I do know. I was one with alcohol. From 15-27ish. And I have been sober since. But “I” did what I did. And it was wrong.

I reserve my use of ‘tragedy’ for things I believe are tragic. I personally do not class self inflicted behavior as such. It may be horrid. It may be evil. But it was of my own devices, not a situation brought about by chance or bad fortune.

But that’s me. Right or wrong. Again, respect to you Laz and may your own sobriety endure.

[the OlLine Rebel]

My God. This is so sad. God bless her and her family, who must be grief-stricken.

She truly was a great singer. Not just a “pop” singer.

She even did good songs!

And even if some think she isn’t “that big”, she’ll be remembered for the Super Bowl. Even my mother still waxes sentimental over that (and Houston was more current back then).

[Lazamataz]

Laz, you are a voice of reason in this sad thread.

Thanks for your kind words. It's my joy to share my story, since sometimes people reach out to me -- and then I can share my experience, strength and hope.

Yes, Whitney messed up by marrying Brown, but once she allowed herself to be seduced into his evil lifestyle of drugs, her life was not her own. It really surprises me when even Christians fall into the trap of drug abuse. (I’m probably naive in this way, I know.)

Let's see if I can help you understand from my story: I was ALWAYS uncomfortable in my own skin, right from childhood, as a Christian or with any other faith I explored. Didn't matter. Laz just didn't fit ANYWHERE.

Until I drugged. Suddenly, I was okay. Suddenly, I could relate to people. So I went on using.

Then the drugs that had helped me so well, turned on me. They became my master, my life, my GOD. My entire life shrank to about one square foot on a desk, as I packed more cocaine into my system.

As Trent Reznor said in the song called Something I Can Never Have, "I'm down to just one thing, and I'm starting to scare myself....."

Once I scared myself sufficiently, I began to reach out to others for help.

[faucetman]

She once said something like ***** It's ok to be a drug addict as long as you can afford it.

Here is how the news should go*****

Coke whore Whitney Houston dies at 48, news at eleven, now back to regular programming.

Yes, she could really sing. What a waste.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
NKJ

[Lazamataz]

Thanks for lending your voice to a thread that could easily spin out of control.

If this thread reaches just ONE freeper who is wondering if he or she has a problem, and the impact of Whitney's death jars them into more than just wondering, but acting, it will be worth my efforts.

Heck, if even a little groundwork is laid.