RIP Whitney Houston

[Big Circus]

Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

 

[Armchair_QB]

From the CNN story, before one song or album of hers is mentioned:

News of her death elicited a flood of reaction on social media, from fans and fellow celebrities alike.

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Funny someone just mentioned Madonna. As soon as the news broke, I said to my wife, "It's amazing. The two pop stars of the '80s, and one is performing at the Super Bowl and the other dead the same week."

I'd put Prince way above Phil Collins on that list, by the way.

Phil Collins would have to be in the Top 5 as an individual performer. People forget how big he was back then.

 

[imjustagirl]

Funny someone just mentioned Madonna. As soon as the news broke, I said to my wife, "It's amazing. The two pop stars of the '80s, and one is performing at the Super Bowl and the other dead the same week."

Oh, and side note: two FEMALE pop stars, yes.

 

[dooley_womack1]

Phil Collins was all over MTV at least as much as Madonna and Whitney Houston and Prince were in the 1980s. Collins just had a much less spotlighted past couple decades.

 

[Armchair_QB]

That's too bad. I'd say that's two out of four of the major pop phenomenons of the 1980s. Michael Jackson was first, Whitney now. I'd think the other deaths to make major news -- and I'm basing this on how you couldn't get away from them because they made music, videos, movies, TV shows, all kinds of other cameos -- will be the deaths of Madonna and Phil Collins.

By "Phil Collins" you meant to type "Mariah Carey," right?

We're talking 80s, not 90s.

 

[imjustagirl]

When I think of the 80s, Phil Collins doesn't come to mind. And that's even as much as I loved about five of his/Genesis' songs back then.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Billy Ocean was more popular than Phil Collins in the 1980s. I'd put John Bon Jovi and Springsteen well above Collins as well.

 

[Bruce Leroy]

Heavy D, Don Cornelius and Whitney in three months. The world has less soul than it should right now. As messed up as she was after her prime, Whitney is still one of the baddest ever. That kind of voice comes maybe once every 20 years. And, yes, definitely Prince before Phil Collins.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Funny someone just mentioned Madonna. As soon as the news broke, I said to my wife, "It's amazing. The two pop stars of the '80s, and one is performing at the Super Bowl and the other dead the same week."

Oh, and side note: two FEMALE pop stars, yes.

Yeah. Obviously Michael Jackson trumps both.

 

[Andy _ Kent]

I turned on CNN for a while and after a few minutes of their coverage remembered why I don't watch CNN anymore.

Wish I would have read your comment before I left CNN on just long enough to see the dopey reporter on the street in New York marching up to random people with a cameraman, sticking a microphone in their face and blurting out, "Whitney Houston passed away." First woman jumps back and says "What? You're kidding me?" To which he says, "Nope. Just happened." And then he walks up to this young black woman and says, "News just broke. It's not so good news. Whitney Houston has died." She replies, "Oh my God. Are you serious?" His response, "Uh, any reaction or remembrances of her work?" Dumbass.

And then of course there was this one lady with her own version of history: "I will always remember her performance of the national anthem the year after 9/11. I mean it made the radio it was so good, so that was awesome." Uh, yeah, she was only 10 years off.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Phil Collins was all over MTV at least as much as Madonna and Whitney Houston and Prince were in the 1980s. Collins just had a much less spotlighted past couple decades.

No, I think Prince is a far better artist as well as being a far bigger star than Phil Collins. Prince is a pop song writer who happens to be a remarkable performer who happens to be a world-class, all-time musician.

And he mentioned multi-media stars, and Prince had a hit movie, as well, don't forget.

 

[MileHigh]

I turned on CNN for a while and after a few minutes of their coverage remembered why I don't watch CNN anymore.

It's seriously amateur hour tonight. MSNBC trots out Rev. Al. CNN has this asshat on who just said, paraphrasing, CNN sources say Whitney Houston died at the Beverly Hilton and a Beverly Hills lieutenant confirmed it at a news conference.

 

[Dick Whitman]

This past summer, I was on a train going to work and sitting behind a black woman in her early 30s or so who was on the phone with a friend. It was the most annoying half-hour of my life, because the whole time she was going on and on about Whitney Houston: "She could do it. She could come back! If anyone could do it, she can. She's gonna do it, I'm telling you."

This was like 7 in the morning.

My last Whitney Houston memory before tonight.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

I turned on CNN for a while and after a few minutes of their coverage remembered why I don't watch CNN anymore.

Wish I would have read your comment before I left CNN on just long enough to see the dopey reporter on the street in New York marching up to random people with a cameraman, sticking a microphone in their face and blurting out, "Whitney Houston passed away." First woman jumps back and says "What? You're kidding me?" To which he says, "Nope. Just happened." And then he walks up to this young black woman and says, "News just broke. It's not so good news. Whitney Houston has died." She replies, "Oh my God. Are you serious?" His response, "Uh, any reaction or remembrances of her work?" Dumbass.

And then of course there was this one lady with her own version of history: "I will always remember her performance of the national anthem the year after 9/11. I mean it made the radio it was so good, so that was awesome." Uh, yeah, she was only 10 years off.

Could be worse. We could have this guy in the air chair still.

 

[Dick Whitman]

My brother and I have dinner riding over whether this obit is above the fold A1 in the New York Times tomorrow. I say no.

 

[Iron_chet]

Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

I just wanted to say nicely done on this.

 

[Care Bear]

Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed
masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of
professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and
affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also
think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

That is fantastic. Always the first thing that pops in my mind when I read any mention of Phil Collins.

And, for some reason, I was stunned to read this news. I knew she was teetering on a tight rope, but she seemed rather invincible to me. What an incredible voice and talent. RIP.

 

[imjustagirl]

What's the Big Circus quote from?

 

[MileHigh]

My brother and I have dinner riding over whether this obit is above the fold A1 in the New York Times tomorrow. I say no.

No.

 

[Dick Whitman]

My brother and I have dinner riding over whether this obit is above the fold A1 in the New York Times tomorrow. I say no.

No.

Glad someone agrees. Well past her prime. Semi-expected. Breaks late on a Saturday night. No way.