LOS ANGELES (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.
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.
Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen tells KABC-TV that Houston died in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton this afternoon. Her body remains in the hotel and Beverly Hills detectives are investigating. Rosen says "There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent at this time."
Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night - the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death sure to cast a heavy pall on Sunday's ceremony. She won multiple Grammys including album and record of the year.
Among Houston's hits were "How Will I Know," `'Saving All My Love for You" and "I Will Always Love You."
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.
The Rev. Al Sharpton says he will call for a national prayer Sunday morning during a service at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles. He says "The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird."
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
