::: Whitney
Houston's Comeback? By Roger Friedman
I do believe that Whitney Houston is ready to make her comeback. A beautiful color photo of the cherubic-looking Whitney is prominently
featured in the booklet-sized invitation for Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy
bash on Feb. 12. Houston
is only one of four performers featured in the glossy invite — the
others are Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Annie Lennox. Davis keeps the names of the performers at his party a secret until
the last minute, but we already know that Davis's J Records stars Jamie
Foxx and Gavin DeGraw are scheduled to be in the show. A
good guess would also include J's teen sensation R&B star Mario. But I wouldn't count on Jennifer Lopez or Ashlee Simpson getting on
Clive's stage. Only the most confident singers need apply, because
there's no augmentation. Since Davis always throws in some superstars from the past, this year
could be particularly exciting. Available and ready are Mavis Staples, who's getting a Lifetime Achievement
Award at the Grammys, and performers such as Billy Preston, who'll
be collaborating in a Ray Charles tribute on the Grammy show with Bonnie
Raitt. Last
year, Alicia Keys sang with the legendary R&B
group Ray, Goodman and Brown and Stylistics star Russell Thompkins,
Jr. Davis's Grammy party continues to be a much hotter ticket than the
Grammy show itself, since it is still held in a relatively small venue:
the Beverly Hills Hotel ballroom. Sources tell me demand for seating
is higher than ever this year, because many tables have gone to sponsors
like L'Oreal and Sirius Radio. But you can still expect some regulars, with the exception, sadly,
of mainstay Dick Clark. If he does put in an appearance, it will cause
a bigger stir almost than Whitney.
As for
Whitney: Her return will be greeted with thunderous applause and ovations,
if it happens. She is still the best voice of her generation.
And no one can help her re-start her career better than the man who
put her on the map in the first place. [FOXNEWS.COM]
|
