A Vocal Talent Gone But Never Forgotten

 On the eve of the most anticipated day of the year, The Grammy Awards which was during Valentine's  Weekend, the world lost one of its most beloved vocal titans Ms. Whitney Houston. How could this happen we have asked our selves time and time again. However Ms. Houston had a long time battle with drug abuse and alcohol which inevitably contributed to her demise. Reports say that Ms. Houston was discovered in her luxury hotel room submerged underwater in her bathtub. Confirmations have not been made through toxicology yet but it is believed that Ms. Houston passed due to the mixing Xanax and other powerful prescription drugs and alcohol and that she may have passed prior to slipping underwater. Reports state that here family was told by Los Angeles Coroner officials that there was not enough water in her lungs to declare cause of death by drowning. Sadly enough it was reported also that 18yr old daughter Bobby-Whitney was hospitalized for having fallen asleep in the bathtub the night before and that she was also hospitalized again twice after the devastating news of her mother's passing. Fears grow the young teenager maybe suffering a melt down and is suicidal at the wake of her mother's passing.
While the world can agree with me when I say that words can not express how saddened I am to lose such a vibrant talent, admired and loved by all who knew her and followed her music, I can not help but observe how when a known artist passes suddenly their popularity sky rockets. Ms. Houston's songs have top the charts in the last week since her passing.
A similar effect was seen after the deaths of Michael Jackson in June 2009 and Amy Winehouse in August 2011 as fans paid tribute by buying the artists' singles and albums. In summer 2009, six Michael Jackson albums hit the Official Albums Chart Top 40, including a greatest hits at Number 1, while five singles hit the Official Singles Chart Top 40, a week after the singer's death. Two years later, Amy Winehouse's albums took three places in the Official Top 10, along with five singles in the Official Top 40.
It is interesting to note that with out fail every time an artist passes that when an artist passes their popularity sky rockets and they sell way more music having passed than having been alive. Does their passing make for a better artist sale wise then them having been alive? Many beloved artists' along with Ms. Houston that have passed have come out of bankruptcy because their residuals have soared as a result of their booming album and single sales.




Sources:

Gye, H., Dewsbury, R., Boyle, L., Keneally, M., & Moran, L. (2012, february 15). Whitney houston . Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100426/Whitney-Houston-cause-death-Star-died-drugs-NOT-drowning.html

Thank You Madonna

So today was the long awaited 46th Annual Superbowl 2012 with the Giants facing the Patriots on the green field....However, there can be no Superbowl without a half time show.... After the grueling 2011 NFL lockout finally drew to a close bringing results to both players and owners, it is a breath of fresh air for the legendary Madonna to come and put on a phenomenal show. It was so carefully orchestrated and coordinated. Set design was spectacular, vocal quality was on point...Its safe to say that Madonna truly brought back the life of what a Half Time Show is all about. Black Eyed Peas performed well but didn't sing well last year at the 2011 Superbowl, as well as Rolling Stones, and the infamous wardrobe malfunction between Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. I truly believe that this half time show was by far the most anticipated show over all the past years performances and is gonna be one of the most watched. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed Madonna's medley performances of classic hits like "Vogue" and "Like a Prayer"....
Interestingly enough I found many on my Facebook page and twitter pages to have mixed feelings concerning the half time show....Many still feel that it was no different from the other shows....Its as if they're still waiting for a new re invention of the Half Time show... I say we could use a face lift. But at the same time was just got out a major lockout, the owners and players are were of all the negotiations, the players were growing anxious to get back on the field and playing, providing financial stability to their homes once again. But the most hit hard was the fans...Fans look forward to their football games whether it be watching it in the convenience of your own home or going to the actual game....The lockout itself made everyone restless. The future of American Football  was in jeopardy of being shut down. This was the most anticipated game of the year....
Despite all the critics, football is here to stay, and entertainment performances will continue to be a trendsetters during the half time shows... Lord knows how much this cost to make it all happen after going through such a vigorous lockout the year before.