BEVERLY HILLS, CA (AP) -
Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. She was 48.
Police in Beverly Hills, Calif. say singer Whitney Houston died Saturday at 6pm Central Time in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Police Lt. Mark Rosen said in a news conference that the 48-year-old's body is still in her fourth-floor hotel room while detectives investigate her death.
He says police received a 911 call shortly before 4 p.m. local time, and paramedics who were already at the hotel quickly went to her room, but couldn't resuscitate her.
Houston's death comes on the eve of the Grammy Awards. A representative says she was to appear at tonight's annual concert and dinner for her longtime mentor Clive Davis.
A person who had been at rehearsals for the show, says on Thursday Houston appeared disheveled and was sweating profusely as she coached R&B singers Brandy and Monica. The person also says liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on Houston's breath.
At her peak in the 1980s and `90s, Houston the golden girl of the music industry and one of the world's best-selling artists.
Among her hits were "How Will I Know," "Saving All My Love for You" and "I Will Always Love You." She won multiple Grammys including album and record of the year.
Her success carried her beyond music to movies like "The Bodyguard."
But by the end of her career, drug use took its toll as her record sales plummeted and her voice became raspy and hoarse.
Entertainers and others who knew Whitney Houston are expressing their thoughts and feelings after learning of the singer's death in Beverly Hills on Saturday at the age of 48.
Mariah Carey tweets she's heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of her friend. Carey says, "She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."
Singer and songwriter Barry Manilow says he can't believe that Whitney is gone. He says his heart goes out to her family, to Clive Davis, and to everyone who knew and loved the "amazingly talented and beautiful artist." He added, "I will always love her."
Motown great Smokey Robinson says he's known Whitney since she was a little girl and loved her. As he puts it, "She was like family to me. I will miss her."
Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, says, "A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."
