(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
 

BY ALYSSA CARTEE

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

One night before music’s biggest night, we lost a legendary voice.  Whitney Houston died at 48 years old Saturday, on the eve of the Grammys. She was found in her hotel room in Beverly Hills. CNN reports her biggest accomplishments in music.

“She went on to become the most awarded female artist of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records. She won 6 Grammy’s, 2 Emmy’s , 16 Billboard Music Awards and 23 American Music Awards.”

Fellow musicians took to Twitter to express their heartbreak at the lost legend.

Mariah Carey said: “She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”

Alicia Keys: “ … I miss you beautiful Whitney, the whole world misses you!!”

And Queen of Soul Arthea Franklin tweeted: “I just can’t talk about it now. It’s so stunning and unbelievable. ...”

And People reports Houston’s ex, Bobby Brown, is grief-stricken. He continued with a scheduled performance with his band New Edition in Mississippi after hearing the news, but shed tears on stage.

And it was the relationship with Brown that often put the singer front and center in the tabloids. CBS explains.

“...her life was spinning out of control. Her 15-year marriage to R&B star Bobby Brown was tumultuous sometimes violent. There were rumors then admissions of heavy drug use.”

But MSNBC spoke with the reporter who broke the news of Houston’s death.  She says they heard different stories about how the singer’s health had been.

“You know earlier in the week we heard conflicting reports.  We heard from one source she was at a party and she looked terrific and people were really worried about her. … And they said she looked good and sounded good.”

The cause of death is unknown until an autopsy can be performed, but TMZ is speculating.

“We told you yesterday ... the night before Whitney died, she had been drinking a lot. Xanax mixed with alcohol can cause severe sedation, which could cause someone to fall asleep in a bathtub.”

And what about the Grammys? The awards show will honor the singer with a tribute from Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan. The Huffington Post has news from the Grammys producer.

“He said it's too fresh to do more at this time, but they had to note the Grammy-winner's amazing accomplishments.”

Although the star had her troubles, a columnist for The New York Times points out she was still something special.

“Whitney Houston died a cautionary tale, but all cautionary tales were heroes once.”

And in spite of her personal demons, Houston will always be remembered for her voice.