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Clive Davis and Friends Celebrated Whitney Houston’s Life at Pre-Grammy Gala

Celebrities including Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson in attendance at the Clive Davis pre-grammy gala last night . Clive Davis read from a sheet of paper, told the crowd:

By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney’s passing. I don’t have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years.

Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn’t scheduled to perform. She loved music and she loved this night that celebrates music.

My heart goes out to her daughter Bobbi Christina, to her mother Cissy, to all of her relatives and to so many of you here tonight, her extended family who loved and cherished her and her spirit.

Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on.

I ask that you join me in a moment of silence as we dedicate this evening to Whitney.

Grammy president and CEO Neil Portnow, who called Houston a friend, said “canceling the party was never an option.”

“A lot of us holding hands tonight, on each other’s shoulders … We’ll be celebrating,” he said. “The legacy she left will be here forever.”

He announced that Jennifer Hudson would perform a tribute to Houston at Sunday’s Grammys.

The 79-year-old music mogul Davis is seen here being consoled by R&B star Alicia Keys – outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel

Diddy gave his own memories of Houston, recalling her incredible smile and positive spirit. He said when he heard she died, “I was in a state of shock.”

“Whitney Houston, simply put, had the greatest voice of the world,” he told the crowd. “Hearing her sing was like listening to magic. … We lost an angel, and anytime we think of Whitney, we have to remember the positivity she gave us, when she performed, she performed 5,000 percent. She wasn’t a hater, she was a congratulator.”

R&B singers Monica and Brandy, heavily influenced by Houston, were supposed to perform together at the event, but Davis said the singers were “too heart-stricken.”

“I know the role Whitney played in their lives. Thank you for staying,” he said.

Earlier in the evening, India Arie said Houston “set the standard for what it is to be a great female artist.”

Producer Jimmy Jam said her death was a “bittersweet irony” given that Davis heralded Houston as a great talent to watch when he had her perform at his party in her youth.

“The fact that it happened on this day, this event is where Clive Davis introduced Whitney to the world. We said hello to Whitney at the Clive Davis (gala), it may be appropriate we’re saying our first goodbyes to Whitney at a Clive Davis event,” Jam said. “In a weird way it’s appropriate, the show must go on. I think Whitney would have wanted that to happen. … Tonight I think we begin to celebrate and remember.”

Alicia Keys called the evening a “very special night” and, after singing a line from Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” noted how the late diva had inspired her.

“You think about how this person touched you,” she said. “(Then) you form a friendship, a sisterhood, a bond. You see how incredible they really are. … She was a sister to me.”

Celebrities and Friends React to Whitney Houston’s Death

Christina Aguilera ”We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney’s family. She will be missed.”

Bobby Brown: First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you, Whitney! The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.”

Quincy Jones: I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney’s passing. Ashford & Simpson first made me aware of Whitney when she was just 16, and I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly.

Justin Bieber: just heard the news. so crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family.

Spike Lee: God Bless The Dead. Whitney Houston R.I.P. She Was Only 48 Years Young.

Paris Hilton: So sad to hear the news about Whitney Houston. :( She was such a beautiful and talented woman. My heart goes out to her family.

Cory Booker (Newark, NJ mayor): A legend has died. As the world mourns the loss of one of the all-time greats, we in Newark feel an especially deep sadness. She went from a Newark church to global stage, but he always remained a deep part of our pride and collective heart.

Tony Bennett: It’s a tragedy. Whitney Houston was the greatest singer I’ve ever heard and she will be truly missed.

Aretha Franklin: My heart goes out to Cissy, her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby.

Mariah Carey: Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”
Dolly Parton: Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. 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.”‘

Wyclef Jean: This is the saddest thing I’ve ever had to write in my life, R I P to one of the greatest humans that I have ever known Whitney Houston

Mike Tyson: Condolences to the Houston family, especially Bobbi Kristina. I’m lost for words. Prayers and love.

UsherRaymond: R.I.P Whitney Houston… A true icon of our time. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the family in their time of distress. URIV

Tyrese Gibson: WHITNEY HOUSTON HAS PASSED AWAY.. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.. THIS IS UNREAL.. MAY GOD BLESS HER DAUGHTER AND FAMILY REST IN SINGING HEAVEN …

Solange Knowles: At this time, the question is not how she went… It is how she will be remembered. I will always remember Whitney Houston as a true legend.

Rihanna: No words! Just tears #DearWhitney

Diddy: Whitney Houston!!! OMG!! I really can’t believe this.. This is one of the saddest days ever..

NeYo: We love you Whitney Houston…

Cee-lo Green: ”R.I.P. Sister WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!! We will always love you.”

Queen Latifah: Oh Dear Lord! Huritng so Bad!!! MY Sister Whitney!!!!!!! Newark please Pray!!! World Please Pray!

Bre Scullark: Whitney was not trendy, she was timeless

Nia Long: Just finished a cover shoot. The theme was I’m Every Woman…I love you Whitney.

Kimora Lee Simmons: RIP Whitney my lady… Always one of the Most Beautiful! Maybe now u will be at peace….love you and the family forever.

Toni Braxton: My heart is weeping…RIP to the Legendary Diva & Icon Whitney Houston!!!!! Such an incredible influence over music as a whole! She’s paved the way for every single singer in the music industry. Iconic, legendary, innovating, amazing, humble…1 the best in the world

Taraji P. Henson: LORD HAVE MERCY!!!! We’ve lost another great! RIP Whitney Houston! My heart hurts.

Russell Simmons: deeply saddened by the death of Whitney Houston…may she rest in peace

Nicki Minaj: Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time.

Jennifer Lopez: Such a loss. One of the greatest voices of our time. Sending out prayers to her family… #R.I.P.Whitney

Tika Sumpter (Sparkle co-star): Heart broken and a crying mess. I love you mama Whitney. You taught me far more than you know. RIP.

LeToya Luckett: Her smile. Her grace. Her Voice. The ICON. Whitney Houston R.I.P

LeAnn Rimes : ‘I can’t stop crying. I have a show to do soon. Wow, I learned how to do what I do because of 3 great women, one being Whitney. She was always so kind to me. This is not gonna be an easy show for sure. I’m doing what she taught me to do by listening to her records over & over as a little girl. Her death is very surreal.’

Kevin Hart: I just Heard that Whitney Houston passed away 2day, I want everyone 2 remember her for what she was & that’s a LEGEND & A music Icon! RIP My prayers go out to her family & friends!!! I’m speechless right now……RIP Whitney Houston

KEYSHIA COLE GIBSON: Whitney??? Pls No!! R.I.P my beautiful! This REALLY hurts my heart!!!!
LA Reid: ‘I am completely devastated by the loss of the greatest voice of all time! R.I.P. Whitney Houston. I will always love you!’
‘I am devastated,’ Paula Abdul said. ‘I am absolutely devastated at the news about Whitney Houston. Such a tragic, tragic loss.’

Marques Houston: RIP to my auntie Whitney Houston! Your voice was that of an Angel! U will be remembered as a legend!

Kelly Price: My heart is so heavy…..#WHITNEY my friend.

Lenny Kravitz:”Whitney. Rest in peace. There will never be another like you.”

Simon Cowell, who invited the star to perform on the UK X Factor in 2009, said he was ‘so sad’ about her death.
He later admitted his team planned to discuss the singer as a potential X Factor USA judge, but had not yet approached her.
He said: ‘We were ironically going to meet on Monday and of course one of the names we were going to be talking about in that meeting as a possible mentor on the new series of X Factor was actually going to be Whitney Houston

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Clive Davis and Friends Celebrated Whitney Houston’s Life at Pre-Grammy Gala was first posted on February 12, 2012 at 10:09 am.
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