In any conversation of the greatest female singers of this century -- or the one just past -- the names of Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston are near the top of the list. How could they not be? Voices of such great sound, timbre and quality are something to be cherished.
Late Saturday night in Los Angeles, the angelic voice of Whitney Houston was silenced when she passed away at the age of 48. Later, as the world reacted to the tragedy, Barbra issued this statement: "She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us."
No truer words were ever spoken, especially by a peer who understands better than us that having "a magnificent voice" is a gift -- but it's also a burden. Making beautiful music in today's world comes wrapped up in an industry that's highly demanding and pressurized. More than a few have been crushed, never living up to the potential they showed when still young.
Barbra's words were imbued with the wisdom of someone who saw Whitney as a spiritual sister, a kindred spirit, a girl who'd followed in Barbra’s footsteps and --sadly -- did not reach the end of the rainbow as she might have hoped.
While the cause of her death has yet to be determined, it's more than likely that Whitney did not die from an illness. And at 48, it wasn't old age. No, drugs and alcohol had a lethal impact on Whitney's life as surely as they had Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Judy Garland…other musical greats who died too soon.
Whitney's legacy ultimately is that she was a great singer. Her music will live on for years to come and she'll never be forgotten for songs like "I Will Always Love You." Her version of "The National Anthem" is definitive. She also made a few films, including one that will be out later this year called "Sparkle." Chances are "Sparkle" will do very well, as there will be many who want to see Houston on the big screen one last time.
Sadly, in the weeks ahead, we'll also hear more than we ever wanted to know about Whitney Houston's troubles. It was no secret that she had issues that impeded her artistic career. Instead of a dozen movies, there are just four (five if you include the TV movie "Cinderella"). Her discography is just seven albums. How much more could she or might she have done had she made a few different choices?
Perhaps it's because of this sudden death to someone who was so brilliant that it's impossible not to re-evaluate just how well Barbra has survived this show biz game.
For Barbra, it's not seven albums, it's 63! Movies? Almost 20 and more to come. Television performances, concerts, specials, appearances, and even a book…the Streisand oeuvre is substantial.
That's why this is the perfect time to realize -- and appreciate -- that Streisand is alive and well and still ambitious and active to add to her resume. She's living the lyrics of "Here's to Life," a song she did on "Love Is the Answer" in 2009:
I had my share, I drank my fill
And even though I’m satisfied,
I’m hungry still.
To see what’s down another road beyond the hill
And do it all again
So, today as you listen to the eulogies for Whitney and watch the tributes -- including tonight's Grammy award performance by Jennifer Hudson -- be grateful that Barbra is still enriching our lives, inspiring us, sharing and entertaining at such a high level.
And to the late Whitney…rest in peace. Your songs will play on for as long as great music is appreciated.
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