Clive Davis discovers Whitney Houston at a New York City lounge: Part 2

Davis signed Houston to his record label and combined her unique sound with gospel and soul music to produce pop hits. Some critics thought Houston had “sold out.”
Watch the full special streaming now on Hulu: abcn.ws/3iEz20k
#WhitneyHouston #Superstars #BobbyBrown #Icons

[@jessicamcgee3661]

I knew there was a reason I've always loved David Bowie. He spoke against racism and prejudice in such a classy way. The look he gave that MTV host was telling.

[@kellyjones5509]

I still can't believe how racist MTV was but not surprised

[@moniquemitchell5092]

@JessicaMcgee Very much so. I caught that too. And he looked perplexed, but also like "are you kidding me". He wasn't buying anything that interviewer was selling to his eyes or ears. Got it. Got that?!

[@mercedeswindow5668]

Funnily enough that stuck out for me too. And I have always been a huge fan of his anyway

[@shantebarze1068]

Yes, that is why he Married Iman the beautiful. he wasn't racist or prejudice.

[@mufasa1794]

@@shantebarze1068 that doesnt mean shi

[@iniakalitoni3405]

Whitney Houston was a pioneer at what she did people. She and Michael Jackson alongside Tina Turner were breaking barriers for alot of African American artists to come through

[@denisejohnson3578]

Because someone broke barriers for them!

[@iniakalitoni3405]

@@denisejohnson3578 sure, but their impact was far greater on artists

[@kellyjones5509]

I still can't believe how racist MTV was but not surprised

[@The_Truth-]

@@kellyjones5509 And her talent was so great MTV didn’t have a choice but to play her music.

[@wintersantiago2274]

Aretha Franklin was first

[@jnoyes8180]

Even after her being gone all these years, we still love and miss her. If only……….💋❤️

[@mrswright1984]

Whitney was discovered by Gerry Griffith while she was singing at 7th Ave South in Manhattan. He went back and told Clive about her. Gerry was the head of A&R at Arista Records and was responsible for finding great talent. He took Clive to hear Whitney sing and the rest is history.

[@doctordl7757]

Omg you betta do that research! ✍👏

[@Hi.Shadow]

And I heard that Gerry Griffith was very persistent because at first Clive wasn’t that impressed. Clive saw her perform several times before he actually wanted to sign her.

[@mrswright1984]

@@doctordl7757 Gerry Griffith was never given the credit for discovering Whitney. After all of these years he’s still being overlooked. Smh

[@jae6335]

@@mrswright1984 , thank you!!

[@ragemodels]

@@mrswright1984 Thank you so.much !!! I had no idea about.mr.Griffith and that article u linked is simply Awesome!!! 🙏💛🖤🙏

[@italishgirl5601]

I will never forget where I was and what I was doing the first time I heard Whitney Houston…. She touched my soul

[@vincentcushnahan5292]

MINE TOO

[@detodounpocoisa8199]

Me too. She marked my life forever

[@cnmrb151]

Michael: "Can you sing that high?" Whitney: "Hold my vocal chords."

[@iniakalitoni3405]

They criticized, booed her then she rose above it and SANGGG them under the table !!!

[@michaelmaps2004]

Yess. Her talent was unmatched

[@Thegazelle1000]

Around the end of the 80's and 1999 Whitney received a lot of harsh critics from the media: they said she didn't know how to dance, she wasn't soulful, she didn't write her own songs bla bla. Whitney wasn't the only black person who was singing pop or ballad song. Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Lionel Richie and others were singing pop songs before her. Tina Turner wore a blonde wig and nobody said nothing about and then come Whitney who was doing the same thing and they called a sell out🙄🙄. I think that they were just jealous because she was able to attract different people from all the world, she was beautiful, talented and successful too. She tried to please everyone except herself and at the end she lost herself.

[@BuffyNoir140]

I remember that criticism. The black community did that MC Hammer. The Ny rappers said he wasn’t street enough, said he was a sellout

[@Thegazelle1000]

@@BuffyNoir140 I'm black myself and I don't understand the criticism of some people of their black community. They should have been proud of their sisters and brothers who became successful, instead of bringing them down. Smhd

[@thebarbie5615]

I adore this lady ! Happy belated birthday to the greatest voice of all time may you continue to Rest In Peace Ms Whitney Houston!

[@ayyyce]

Nothing but respect for David Bowie! Wow.

[@rhonda5056]

Exactly

[@DUDEDRUNK]

The fact that he used his star power to question the biggest music channel in the world back then in honour of black people. Oh David ♥️

[@JenniferBrigitteOpticalVortex]

He was a perfect little alien. I swear.

[@shanel6102]

Whitney was known and will forever be known as the greatest female artist of all time......

[@letty4558]

This lady voice was earth shattering. Love her. Rest in peace Whitney!!!

[@Mmmkay10]

Love that David Bowie called MTV out!!

[@Mina.15]

Right his wife is from Somali iman

[@jeandixson5610]

I think her association with gospel music made all the difference in her career

[@mariahyohannes]

It did. When you are trained to sing gospel you can sing anything in any genre. This is what sets her apart from her contemporaries

[@terrencemalbrough1173]

Clive didn't discover her, he signed her. Big difference.

[@stephaniewilliams3460]

Amen!

[@destinixshakur]

Right! I’m tryna see how he could discover someone who already had it and had industry connections . He just put the leash on her

[@stopthelies4249]

Yeah, he signed her right in the slavery. She made $4.5 billion and died with less than 20 million.

[@stacymclean1625]

That was a very profound statement that David Bowie made. Can we have a moment for that!!

[@srfh1621]

Whitney has a human being like all of us, but with limitless talent.

[@CelestialGatez]

She was very human and down to earth. Read the book by Roman Castle called "On My Way to Hollywood". He dedicates a beautiful bonus chapter to her and takes you inside her world. You feel like you are right there in her house. Well-written and hypnotic! Get that book! It's so much more about the entertainment industry too. 5 stars!

[@butterflylamb526]

8:06!Whitney knew she was “THAT BITCH” “THE VOICE” and ain’t nobody was on her level vocally….when she said “but now it doesn’t” with that side eye and subtle neck move…. I just love the shade!! God, how I miss her.

[@tiagodias1223]

This is about Whitney but how Michael opened the Doors it s Iconic

[@sipnog3528]

MJ made MTV and opened doors for black artists. Whitney certified female artists on MTV and everywhere else that matters. Gosh these two artists did an amazing job.

[@newsing33]

No matter what things she did wrong, she never forgot God. She always clung to and spoke about, and praised God throughout it all. 🙏❤️

[@kikomathis2071]

Capturing the iconic Whitney Houston was the greatest thing Clive has done...Cissy knew she birthed a gifted jewel from God.

[@Thegazelle1000]

I have to admit it: it's bother me when people try to give all the credit to Clive Davis for Whitney's image. CISSY Houston and Dionne Warwick did a great job, they groomed her since she was a little girl. When we pay attention to her mannerisms and her stage presence, it's all Dionne. She was well spoken even before she started her music career, People are talking like she came from nowhere lol. Ask Cardi B to speak like the way Whitney spoke, she can't! Or you have it or you don't! 😉All celebrities have an image to present to to the public (fake or not), it's marketing. Clive found the job already done and he decided to invest in it.

[@stephaniewilliams3460]

Say that!!

[@taylor5973]

This

[@destinixshakur]

Facts

[@lql1094]

Right.

[@Tommyboy6426]

The songs she sings and stuff aren’t images tho. Even though she’s not writing the songs, she chooses the songs she wants to sing because she only sings a song if she means it, if she feels it. And she was a nice person too.

[@rosehannon9392]

She was the best of the best ever and always will be love that lady god will always love her.

[@kwesonabrams2906]

I love Whitney

[@conniewolf7300]

Anyone with half a brain loves Whitney. There was never anyone greater!

[@jamesgeorge5276]

Out of the whole 10:07 of watching this, the one thing that stood out to me above everything else was that piercing look of disbelief when David Bowie ask the producer of MTV "why are there no black artists on MTV" He stated that middle white America wasn't ready for that, then Mr Bowie gave him that Iconic Look of disbelief and disappointment which was very telling. I didn't realize MTV was flat out racist like that..we're talking about the 80's not the 50's. Hats off to the Legendary Davie Bowie for calling him out on that racist BS!!!

[@curtains32]

It's so sad to see such a beautiful person with such a unforgettable talent come such a tragic end. I cried.

[@karyherndon4266]

What a great story this evening. Thanks! From southern Colorado.

[@donje31]

I live in Denver for you to say southern it has to be The springs, or Pueblo! But your right great story!

[@jae6335]

Instead of realizing that a Black singer like Diana Ross or Whitney Houston who crosses over, opens doors for other Black artists, so they can sell more records, instead we do what we always do, try to hold them back, and put them in a a box we created out of self hatred. We need to do better.

[@BuffyNoir140]

Whitney was gorgeous. No BBL, not a ton of makeup, no 30 inch wig, no gimmickry.

[@jae6335]

@@BuffyNoir140, true!

[@destinixshakur]

Yes our people was wrong for doing her that way . I feel it contributed toward her spiraling demise

[@jae6335]

@@destinixshakur , yes. We don't stop and think of the pain our words and actions sometimes cause.

[@Sttephy30]

Who is we? Stop acting like all black people are the same.

[@misslady0075]

Many thanks to David Bowie vocalising for the people of colour. Then Micheal Jackson made it happen and Whitney. R. I. P to three amazing artists Whitney David and Micheal ❤️🙏❤️

[@ragemodels]

Love Whitney in Eternity !!! No one can sing like her !!! A special shout out to #MrBobbybrown deep felt condolences for the loss of your beautiful Daughter !!!

[@sandrallewellyn2632]

haha that look on his face... Bowie didn't buy the bull!

[@kellyjones5509]

I still can't believe how racist MTV was but not surprised

[@bettieclayton825]

Legend And just plain pretty

[@lasenoritacometa1977]

Wow that look on David Bowie’s face says “not buying it mate”😆

[@danielleesposito5213]

She was so good. Love her!

[@lmb4876]

i remember in 1985 ..i wanted to be WHITNEY..beautiful and such an amazing talent.

[@mvg5165]

Guatemala loves Whitney!!

[@circuslife888]

When her very own Black community booed her at Soul Train Awards 1989 for being a successful crossover Black artist with a record-shattering 7 Straight Billboard Hot 100 #1 hits, Whitney's spirit was crushed. She couldn't understand why her own community would do that to her when she's doing her best to represent them the world over. Was it because the Black Community itself looks down upon itself or limits its own potential? Was it because she was a FEMALE black artist and shouldn't be more successful than men? The booing stirred and baffled Whitney to her core. To this day, I still believe that the Black Community is partly the reason for Whitney's early death. Envious black people who hated Whitney for being so successful have blood in their hands.

[@amyj4438]

They may have felt like she was a sell out, but I can't think of 1 black person that hated on Whitney. Even when we found out about the drugs....church ppl STILL LOVED her and wanted nothing but the best. I think you mean "black community for her death as her family - Pat Houston" Not everybody who loved her. We loved her in Body Guard, Preacher's Wife, and Waiting Exhale. Black ppl adore/adored Whitney... even to this day.

[@circuslife888]

@@amyj4438 Thank you for sharing. I just feel a deep sadness in my heart whenever I remember Whitney. I guess I need to be more grateful for the years she had shared with us, no matter how little they were.

[@wintersantiago2274]

Is it any different today? If you don’t have light skin and BBL, then your talent is overlooked.

[@DGodwithaplan2]

Thank you.

[@Sttephy30]

What a load of bullshit. She was boo'd because her 2nd album was so fucking white-washed and devoid of any R&B/Soul people liked on her debut album. But her FAMILY (and WHITNEY) are to blame for her demise. Everyone got picked on by the media, whether it was black or white media, you got picked on period. Whitney's family were the ones that put the crack pipe in her hand in her late teens, not black people. So, shut up.

[@sophieloves7092]

RIP legend

[@amosand7476]

This lady wow

[@gato0082]

Bowie a real one for that 👁️🙏👁️always ahead of his time &.... A beautiful soul 💙👀rip u see his face, his words & tone polite but his eyes say everything in that interview ❣️❣️✨

[@melindamullins9971]

brilliant on how they orchestrated her amazing career her voice was a treasure to so many of us.

[@amandahirschfeld7382]

So sad,she was like sunshine in fire.

[@vincentcushnahan5292]

🔥

[@jayslater3166]

So true feel the words from your heart and soul when you sing people will feel it and love it.

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Clive did not discover Whitney. He simply won the bidding war for her record deal.

[@pearlwalker2366]

RIP WHITNEY THE STRUGGLE IS OVER 💝💝💝

[@challloyd215]

Too bad those first appearances aren't videotaped for us to hear. She had just an incredible voice.

[@warlockmachine9313]

i realize 49 is so young

[@mrscpjones16]

Thank you David Bowie for calling them out.

[@iamthatiam6572]

GOD GAVE he a gift to WORSHIP AND PRAISE HIM NOT THE devil!

[@beautyan5309]

She did that untill Hollywood came in and gave her the deal she loved God that’s what at many points of her life she would do gospel and speak about God but the temptations that came along with Hollywood took a hold of lots of her life

[@iamthatiam6572]

@M Koric You want to hear lies! This is what happens to people like you and Whitney Houston!

[@iamthatiam6572]

@Rich Perez REPENT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND! REPENT THE LORD GOD MESSIAH KING JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON! HEAVEN OR HELL AND THE LAKE OF FIRE IT IS YOUR CHOICE!

[@iamthatiam6572]

@M Koric GOD ALMIGHTY IS GOD THE MESSIAH KING JESUS CHRIST THE FATHER THE SON AND THE HOLY GHOST EVEN IF you DON'T BELIEVE. REPENT THE LORD GOD MESSIAH KING JESUS CHRIST IS GOD AND HE IS COMING SOON.

[@dc3174]

Refreshing to see a natural body

[@gumtree7177]

She’s so gifted and beautiful such a master of the game. She rose to the top. Whitney could evoke the tender emotion and life that resonates with emotion beauty like a hug in the heart mind and ear Whitney related to the world. Such a gift of perfect emotion in vocals and presence… the way she connects the emotion in our minds is pure love warmth Whitney crossed over. So did many other greats. Today’s singers most not all. Are not of the past ilk.

[@mrscpjones16]

Thank you David Bowie for calling MTV out.

[@juliehirsh1436]

So she lay in the hotel room unconscious for hours and then while the party was going they wait for the Coroner to go upstairs to the room BUT THE PARTY STILL WENT ON??? These people are sick in Hollywood and make me sick from it !

[@thetruthhurts122]

Thank you to David Bowie. Otherwise, we won’t discover and hear talented artist like MJ, Whitney and others.

[@NellieKAdaba]

Exactly

[@Freedomofspeechisgod]

I do hope robin really pours love back into the Whitney Houston legacy. I need her too. She was one of the few ones that knew her best.

[@akuapiatas]

Wow; let's go down real memory lane! That hit home. Clive attended Sweet Waters on the 02/19/1983 and a week over 29-years she takes her last bow 02/11/2012

[@akuapiatas]

It bothered me at first - but now it doesn't. LOL only for a hot second.

[@JAVONUNLIMITED]

Still somewhat relevant today in America's Pop Music

[@motownnow]

#CliveDavis #WhitneyHouston #Arista #AristaRecords #Radio #Hits #CissyHouston #Music #Entertainment #Singer #Songwriter #Talented #BobbyBrown #Agent #PhilCasey #ICM #TalentAgency #MakingHistory #RockStar #SuperStar #Success #Legend #DavidBowie #FanUp #LoyalFans #JamesPaulRowland #CEO #HollywoodRockStars #LosAngeles

[@yeahmaracullea9141]

We miss u nippy ❤

[@slim9978]

Did u see that look Bowie gave him respect

[@bey00001]

God bless

[@ziethunk1531]

Why did yall upload the part 3 before part two

[@kennethdrake7686]

She had been known as an up and coming. Model/actress/singer the voice was born couldn’t be discovered in my no nothing opinion

[@missrobyncalifornia]

that MTV interview omission...WOW no damm shame! Disgusting!!

[@lindseycarribean5113]

Where are all the damn parts 5 ????!!!!

[@deborahyisrael5258]

Whitney looks like Dionne Warwick in the thumb nail.

[@Thelifeofjcs]

4EVER & EVER THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGER OF THE WHOLE WORLD 🌎‼️

[@jamieminsky9436]

And a voice of an Angel: nobody comments: nobody says nothing a few small years later and it upsets me so! This is our history and these kids do not love and know and give mad respect to a voice as her? Ugh. Give me a break!!! Xxoo.

[@allisonlew4508]

Around 2.50 is setup for David Bowie awesome interview.

[@iamthatiam6572]

EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE HEVEN OR HELL!

[@atomicfusionvideo]

No ones compares

[@MA-rn2xp]

Does anyone know where can I find the full audio or concert of whitney singing at @1:13 to @1:18? It sounds like a rare performance but I don't know the name

[@he_solves_maths]

I am changing... She was on a red gown

[@wheela95]

We are always getting hated on because we are great and good at everything naturally. R.i.p Whitney 👼🏿🙏🏿✊🏿

[@conniewolf7300]

Everything??

[@wheela95]

@@conniewolf7300 yes everything..... Go learn history before you say anything

[@wheela95]

@M Koric you got it.

[@yeahiprotest]

She was hated on by her own people

[@sylacauga]

Rumor has it that Narada is STILL holding that damn candle.

[@Thegazelle1000]

😅😅😅😅lmao

[@kingofme8863]

LOL

[@live-uj8ov]

The same person who gave her fame, was the same responsible for her demise.

[@r.jdavos1981]

wrong. her older brother got her hooked on cocaine at 16. Her family was her demise.

[@live-uj8ov]

@@r.jdavos1981 Bro, you still got a lot of research and digging to do.

[@live-uj8ov]

@@r.jdavos1981 by the time of her death, she was clean! Healthy and ready to get back out there. She was working on several projects, just like DMX. Drugs were no longer part of her life when they took her out. Theres a video here on KZbin of Whitney two days before her death, with wet hair handing a piece of paper over to Brandy. Monica (the singer) even asked her if she was swimming, and she said yes! She was fully clothed by the way. And before she walked in on Clive Davis and brandy and Monica they were taking about her, giving tribute, refering to her in past tense. They even got shocked when she walked in, because they were not expecting her to still be alive. A day later she died!

[@TheDonPud]

@@live-uj8ov damn seriouslyyyy????

[@live-uj8ov]

@@TheDonPud I swear on my life. I'll look for links and send them to you.

[@debracambridge8488]

Blessing blessedlove

[@mauriziomelani6267]

4:02 😍😍😍

[@yo-cn1cw]

WHITNEYHOUSTON MICHEALBOLTON "IMAGINE" MY DREAM SOUND DUETS just saying

[@ImStep-by-Step]

Can we ALL imagine Whitney doing a Jazz album? At that point…I’d be good being not here anymore!

[@DarkerSideOfDawn]

I’m so glad I never fit in a box.. I loooved R&B & Motown

[@raquelvlogzz1183]

David Bowie put .MTV on check.Period!R.i.p DB.

[@turntableone4356]

I wish I could find that huge cardboard cut out of the second Whitney Houston album that I saw at Sound Warehouse. It had her albums and cassettes in the cardboard I recall.

[@idiosyncraticparadise1655]

I wish we had actually footage from the clubs because they have them . Why not show us instead of just telling us ? Ugh

[@CelestialGatez]

It's a shame they're hiding Whitney and Michael Jackson's true contributions in the music industry. The author Roman Castle blows the whistle regarding the corruption in the music arena in his book "On My Way to Hollywood." I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a page-turner. There's also a bonus chapter dedicated to Whitney. It is ALL THAT! frfr

[@honestbajan6877]

Will check it out!

[@hanssolos3699]

Everything was good until bobby brown arrived. Every little step.... 🤣🤣🤣

[@taylor5973]

@Jewel Dazzle everyone who worked with her in the 80s before Bobby said she was way better and once he came in people noticed the decline, show cancellations etc. he didn’t introduce her to drugs but he surely didn’t help.

[@bertojr2130]

@Jewel Dazzle it became uncontrollable with him

[@thebuttermilkgirlisback]

Ok…why was heather locklear at the soul train awards?

[@vegahunter8]

It would tell you....but it's Nunya Bizness.

[@thebuttermilkgirlisback]

@@vegahunter8 ha!

[@thomasbarrientos2516]

Why not?

[@marlenadonaldson2868]

Why couldn't you show her the respect of not having a party after she died?

[@mercedeswindow5668]

David Bowie calling out MTV on its lack of diversity 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 will always be my hero

[@NellieKAdaba]

Yes! Love Bowie, I miss him too.

[@allisonlew4508]

So, given the success on "integrated" mysic stations in the 1960s, 1970s - WHO set up the apartheid on radio stations, MTV, etc., and WHY did they do so?

[@thewholetruth7406]

You don’t go running behind a man but you don’t have to stay with someone who treats you less than a decent human..Life is too short not to have true love (if you want it)..

[@MsJman22]

Why is the man in the hat holding a candle :)

[@kimakotrotman6860]

I saw that program and believe that she let go too early.

[@roots4140]

It's just unfortunate that all these folks are still openly trashing Bobby Brown. Flat out saying it was a mistake for her to marry her husband.... That's so incredibly disrespectful. Leave that man in peace, Damn!

[@taylor5973]

Just like he trashed Whitney? I’m glad they weren’t painting him as a saint like these past couple of documentaries did.

[@MusicLover-hu9fw]

@@taylor5973 I have said this for many years: Whitney (the Queen) was not the goody-goody person that Clive marketed her as. Nor was Bobby as bad as he was marketed. Whitney chose Bobby as the love of her life, and everyone else, including her family, projected negativity. Their marriage was doomed from the start, since the people close to them deemed it so. They loved each other, but that was not good enough for people who only saw $$$. May baby rest in peace, and may Bobby find peace as a survivor.

[@taylor5973]

@@MusicLover-hu9fw Whitney also chose to divorce him after putting up with his trash for years. The last straw was his affair with Karrien Stephens. It was actually their daughter who told Whitney to divorce him and she would understand. Im sorry this is my opinion, I don’t think he loved her. Bobby loved the idea of being with Whitney and perks that’s came with it. Someone who loves you will never physically and mentally abuse you or cheat from the start and ending of the marriage idc that was not love.

[@mariahyohannes]

@@MusicLover-hu9fw There disapproval was justified, that relationship was toxic and regardless if they were famous or not it would have still been toxic. Bobby was responsible for how his image was portrayed to the public, he took pride in being the "bad boy" and because of that, that is what they labeled him. That was his "perogative". The public knew and her family knew that Whitney settled for him, she was in a rush to have children and be a wife that she didn't take the time to vet her options. She was desperate for a sense of belonging and family oriented life because her parents divorced at a young age and resented her mother for having a failed marriage. You all seem to forget that when Whitney and Bobby were engaged he got another woman pregnant and Whitney was pregnant as well. If that isn't settling than I don't know what is

[@kimmcdonald8225]

So missed

[@mzbatonrougebeauty5267]

David Bowie is a legend

[@letty4558]

I respect so much!!! Rest in peace, man.

[@geminilove7634]

I’m glad he called mtv out for not playing black videos.

[@adonaiyah2196]

That's the reason hes really popular

[@victoraugustusonyango8463]

@M Koric for calling out racism!

[@allisonlew4508]

David Bowie was awesome in calling out the stupid racism of MTV.

[@djk1mya]

He NEVER DISCOVERED WHITNEY…. LIES

[@creolelady182]

This is where she started to run into problems

[@enchantedforest6826]

Her Gift turned in to curse and drowned Her.... i am praying for peace of her soul both mother child