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[ OFFICIAL FAN CLUB NEWS ] [ MTV NEWS - WHITNEY SITE ] [ TV APPEARANCES ] [ BULLETIN BOARD ]
Superstar Michael Jackson to Open The
Nasdaq Stock Market
NEWSFILE: 28 AUGUST 2001 |
August 25
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Music Stars Big on Guest Cameos
Bond 20... Producers unshaken by Web site's Bond
film "scoop"
NEWSFILE: 22 AUGUST 2001 |
Warner Bros. Pictures to Auction
Exclusive Items From Rock N' Roll Comedy ``Rock Star'' On eBay; Net Proceeds to Benefit
VH1's Save the Music Foundation
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Excerpt from an interview with Missy Elliott in a German Newspaper: Why do you often say bitch? Do you want to offend
other women with it? [Thanks Andre] Chart Information... The Chart Archives have been updated with new Swiss Chart statistics and the complete chart history of Whitney's albums and singles in Germany added. [Special Thanks to Sabine & Gogi]
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Whitney Houston Added to Second Night
(Monday, September 10, 2001) At Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo
Years NEWSFILE: 16 AUGUST 2001 |
The Interviews section of Classic Whitney has been further enhanced tonight. Featured as interviews with Cissy Houston, Deborah Martin Chase as well as many Whitney Houston interviews spanning her career. Highlights include Time, Rolling Stone, Good Housekeeping with more to come soon. [Special Thanks Dannie C.]
Following on from the phenomenal success of The Princess Diaries, The Hollywood Reporter states that the script for a sequel the movie is already being worked on with Anne Hathaway likewise optioned by Disney to reappear. It is too early to say whether or not Whitney Houston's BrownHouse will also produce the second instalment.
NEWSFILE: 15 AUGUST 2001 |
A range of new interviews and articles about Whitney Houston have been added to the Interviews Section of Classic Whitney. Check it out. There will be more to come in the next few days. [Special Thanks Dannie C.]
Abstract of VH1 press release citing new VH1 programming which will feature a series documenting the evolution of R&B, Soul & Hip-Hop. Whitney Houston will feature in the series: VH1 SPECIALS You can read the entire press release here.
[From MTV News] Michael Jackson will perform past hits with
new-school pop stars Britney Spears and 'NSYNC at his upcoming 30th-anniversary gala.
NEWSFILE: 14 AUGUST 2001 |
[From Sunday Star Ledger] Arista's L.A.-Houston connection No one questions Whitney Houston's ability as a singer, but her records have always been a bit impersonal. Antonio "L.A." Reid, president and CEO of Arista Records -- which signed her to a new $100 million, seven-album deal last week -- wants that to change. "I want her to make a record that reflects where she is in her life, as opposed to just singing songs that people write for her," he says. "I want it to be a record that's very true and personal for her." "She's at that point where people want to feel like they're getting a piece of Whitney, as opposed to just a recording. My goal is to make sure Whitney is motivated to give of herself, and make sure [her next album] reflects not only her taste, but also her personality and where she is in her life. Reid, whose first major success in the industry came through his songwriting and production partnership with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, took over Arista's reins in July of 2000. His appointment followed the highly publicized ousting of the label's founder, Clive Davis, who subsequently started his own label, J Records. Houston has been with Arista throughout her career, and has sold 140 million units (albums, singles and videos combined) for the label. Still, she sees Davis as a mentor, and there was some speculation she might leave with him. But she decided to stay. Reid shares some history with Houston, too, having worked as a songwriter and producer on her 1990 album "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and the 1992 soundtrack to "The Bodyguard." He still has a vivid memory of their first session together, recording the "I'm Your Baby Tonight" title track. "She came into the studio, she listened to the track a couple of times, she got behind the mic and nailed it within 10 minutes. Perfect pitched, and exciting -- the whole nine. I had never seen a vocalist that talented in my life." While he says he doesn't know when her next album will come out (recording sessions haven't even begun), Reid calls her "absolutely the priority artist at this company. Not because we made a new deal with her -- not because of anything other than she's Whitney Houston." Though Houston released a two-CD greatest hits collection in April of 2000, Reid doesn't feel it did her justice, and wants to put out another one at some point. "There were a lot of remixes on it. They were good remixes: there was nothing wrong with that. But my goal would be to create a record that...people have grown up to Whitney Houston and made babies to Whitney Houston. Whitney Houston is a staple in their lives, and I want a record that reflects that journey." -Jay Lustig[Thanks Franz]
In their 'Winners & Losers' section, Time Magazine cites Whitney as a Winner (even if their one line comment is a bit suspect): Whitney Houston
[From Chicago Tribune] Event: Nordstrom's fall
Designer Preview gala at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. [Thanks Margaret G./Lisa D.]
'Whitney: The Greatest Hits' scanned 3,432 units for the 18 August 2001 chart week, up 23.4% from the prior week (2,780). Meanwhile, It's Not Right But It's Okay scanned 364 units, slipping 168 -195 on the top 200 sales listing. The single has scanned 13,496 to date this year. [Thanks Jim R.]
NEWSFILE: 13 AUGUST 2001 |
[From Billboard] Houston, We Have Lift-off Following the signing of a new [over] $100 million contract with Arista Records, Whitney Houston is "collecting songs" for her next project, which will be out in 2002, according to Arista Records president/CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid. "We're looking at producers," he says. "My conversations with her have focused on making an album that her fans will feel is a very personal album. I'm not saying [the songs] should reflect the state of her personal life, but I want something that feels personal." He expects her to be in the studio by year's end. Reid and Houston will co-executive produce the project. The deal, Reid says, does not extend the number of albums Houston owes the label. (She had at least five remaining on her current contract.) "The idea is to motivate her and encourage her, and -- I find this very important -- if she is the biggest-selling artist on Arista Records, and if she is the queen of Arista, I think her deal should reflect that. This was an acknowledgement of her greatness. This wasn't an exchange for more songs or albums." [Thanks Lisa D.]
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The contract is confirmed as being worth in excess of $100 million.
[From New York Post] WHITNEY'S BRO IN JERSEY DRUG BUST
Michael Houston Released on BailFORT LEE, N.J. (AP) - Whitney Houston's brother has been released on bail after being arrested on charges of carrying cocaine and marijuana. Two detectives saw Michael Houston's car nearly collide with another car as he pulled out of a Holiday Inn parking lot around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, police said. The 39-year-old from South Plainfield, N.J., was stopped along Route 4, and police said his eyes appeared glassy and bloodshot and he was grinding his teeth. Police arrested him and reported finding in his car 14 partially smoked marijuana cigarettes, a bag of what appeared to be marijuana and a bag of cocaine. He was charged with marijuana possession, cocaine possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of drugs. Police said Houston, a music writer for his sister's company, Nippy Inc., was cooperative. He was arraigned Thursday and bail was set at $3,500. He was released to his attorney. A 17-year-old girl from Manhattan traveling with Houston was released to her parents' custody. She was not charged. [Thanks Sabine]
NEWSFILE: 10 AUGUST 2001 |
You can leave Birthday Wishes for Whitney On The Platinum Club Website.
WHITNEY'S 911 CALL - Associated Press [Thanks Arunesh]
[Allstar Report] Bobby Brown Collapses At Home While Working On New Album R&B singer Bobby Brown -– better known these days
as Mr. Whitney Houston -– collapsed after having a seizure while working in his
studio at his suburban New Jersey home early Wednesday (Aug. 8), according to the singer's
spokesperson, Nancy Seltzer.
[From MTV News] Bobby Brown was rushed to a
hospital early Wednesday after suffering a seizure that his publicist said was caused by
heat exhaustion.
NEWSFILE: 9 AUGUST 2001 |
The Princess Diaries opening weekend in the US grossed $22.8m, coming below the summer blockbusters Rush Hour 2 and Planet of The Apes.
Kool & The Gang return with
`Gangland
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[Wire Services Report] HOUSTON SIGNS ON TO $100 MILLION
DOLLAR DEAL [Thank Dave W.]
Early indications are that the Whitney Houston produced movie, The Princess Diaries, will have an opening weekend of approximately $23 million. Confirmed figures should be available tomorrow. The movie opens globally on the following dates (according to the IMDB).
NEWSFILE: 5 AUGUST 2001 |
[From PR Newswire] Grammy-Award Winning Superstar Whitney Houston Signs Biggest Recording Deal In Arista's History!!! NEW YORK, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Mega-platinum artist Whitney Houston has signed a new exclusive long-term recording agreement with Arista Records, it was announced today by Antonio "L.A." Reid, President and CEO, Arista Records. The recording agreement, valued in excess of $100 million, provides for a multi-album commitment from Ms. Houston, who has sold more than 140 million combined albums, singles and videos around the world since her career began at Arista in 1983. "I couldn't be more thrilled that Whitney has decided to continue her career here at Arista Records. No one in the world can sing like Whitney, which is why she is regarded as the cornerstone of not only Arista but the entire music business," said Mr. Reid. "I've had the pleasure of working with Whitney as a producer and songwriter for more than ten years and I regard her as a close, personal friend. I look forward to a warm and productive relationship with Whitney at Arista for many, many years to come." "I am so excited with this new deal and I'm looking forward to going into the studio soon to start work on my next album," said Ms. Houston. "Arista Records has been my home since the beginning of my career. I am happy to be continuing the relationship and I look forward to working with L.A. Reid and the new Arista family." With last year's release of the double-CD/cassette Greatest Hits, Whitney Houston extended her track record to become the only artist with eight consecutive multi-platinum albums. A 6-time Grammy winner, she was the first female artist to enter the Billboard 200 album chart at #1 (her second album, Whitney, 1987) and the only artist to chart 7 consecutive #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. Her dozens of industry awards, including 21 American Music Awards (the most for any female), 15 Billboard Music Awards, 11 NAACP Image Awards and more, are complemented by her tireless philanthropic activities as head of the Whitney Houston Foundation For Children Inc., the non-profit organization she established in 1989. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT http://www.arista.com
[From Associated Press] Whitney Houston Inks $100M Deal By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY NEW YORK (AP) — Arista Records is saving all its love — and money — for Whitney Houston. The Grammy-winning superstar has signed a multi-album record deal with Arista that the label said was in excess of $100 million. The deal would appear to top Mariah Carey's recent signing to Virgin Records, which was said to be worth about $20 million per album. ``I am so excited with this new deal and I'm looking forward to going into the studio soon to start work on my next album,'' Houston said in a statement Thursday. ``Arista Records has been my home since the beginning of my career. I am happy to be continuing the relationship and I look forward to working with (Arista president) L.A. Reid and the new Arista family.'' Houston is Arista's best-selling artist, having sold more
than 140 million records worldwide and charting numerous No. 1 hits, including ``The
Greatest Love of All,'' ``I Will Always Love You'' and ``Saving All My Love For You.'' Since her debut in 1985, Houston has delivered nothing but platinum records for Arista. She has also branched out into acting, starring in the hit ``The Bodyguard'' and other movies such as ``Waiting to Exhale.'' But her last album of original material, ``My Love Is Your Love,'' was not as successful as her previous discs, although it sold more than 1 million copies. The singer's reputation was also tarnished last year after
erratic behavior sparked rumors that she might be abusing drugs, a charge she denied.
However, last September, prosecutors in Hawaii said they found marijuana in her purse. A petty misdemeanor drug charge was dismissed against Houston earlier this year after a drug counselor filed an assessment with prosecutors stating that Houston did not require treatment for substance abuse. Besides acting and singing, Houston has expanded into producing movies. Besides the successful Disney special ``Cinderella,'' starring pop singer Brandy, Houston is the executive director of the new film ``The Princess Diaries.'' [Thanks Tony P.]
Whitney Houston signs $100 million deal!
Whitney trills $100 mil from Arista
[From Billboard] Whitney Houston has signed a new, exclusive
multi-album deal with Arista, valued at more than $100 million. The deal, which the label
says is the biggest in its history, would appear to top Mariah Carey's recent signing to
Virgin Records, which was said to be worth about $20 million per album.
[From BBC Online] Singer Whitney Houston has become one of the
highest-paid musicians in the world after agreeing to stay with record company Arista. She
will be paid more than $100m (£70m) in a new long-term, multi-album deal. * Whitney has six Grammys [Thanks Marcus J.]
[From London Evening Standard] I Will Always Love You,
says Whitney with £35m* contract * Current exchange rates place the contract value at over £70m [Thanks Marcus J.] Judy Clay... Soul singer whose career floundered in the face of American racism; Billy Vera Friday July 27, 2001 Judy Clay, who has died aged 62, was a hell of a singer. But, apart from two duets with me, Storybook Children (1967) and Country Girl-City Man in 1968, and two records later that year with William Bell, Private Number and My Baby Specialises, she had no chart success. This must have been no small source of frustration. You can't have a voice as good as hers and not know how good you are; she was, arguably, one of the best in her adopted family, which also included Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and Cissy and Whitney Houston, as well as her own sister, Sylvia Shemwell. As an act, Judy and I - Billy Vera and Judy Clay - were notable for being the United States' first racially integrated duo, a fact which, even in the 1960s, prevented us from being seen on national television. Other than an appearance on Hy Lit's show on WKBS in Philadelphia, and one on Robin Seymour's Swingin' Time in Detroit, our little revolution was never televised. In New York, the Clay Cole Show taped us but, once they knew our racial makeup, our segment was never aired. To add to the indignity, we went on to see our songs performed on network TV by Sammy Davis Jr and Tina Turner, and by Peter Lawford and Minnie Pearl. We were never taken up as a cause by the limousine liberals of the day. This may have had something to do with the fact that our audience was mostly everyday blacks and working-class whites. Our music was just plain old soul, so the hippie culture found nothing in us to connect with. We didn't wear leather fringe vests and bell-bottom jeans. Judy went on in floor-length gowns and my outfits were mohair continental suits. We played the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, not the Fillmore East. And that was just fine with the un-chic bridge-and-tunnel crowd and the Harlemites, who gave us standing ovations, even as bloody riots were taking place across the Hudson river in Newark, New Jersey. Our first Apollo appearance was during those riots, and stage manager Honi Coles, fearing that we might not be well received, put us second on the bill, the spot usually reserved for the weakest acts. After the first house, he came to our dressing room and said, "I'm moving you to right before the star's spot; ain't nobody gonna follow you two." Given today's unfortunate state of race relations in the US, it is hard to imagine what an act like ours meant to an older generation of black Americans, to whom integration and assimilation were goals. I recall coming off stage one night after we had stopped the show - and been forced to do an encore of Storybook Children - and seeing Judy's "aunt", Cissy Houston, crying tears of joy and hope in the wings, with her four-year-old daughter Whitney in her arms. Judy was born Judy Guions in St Paul, North Carolina, and soon moved to Fayetteville, where she was raised by her grandmother. She started singing in church as a small child. Moving to Brookyn in the early 1950s, she continued her church singing, indeed her choir featured on Sunday night radio. By her early teens, she had been adopted by Lee Drinkard, of the famous gospel group, the Drinkard Singers. Lee was Cissy Houston's sister and Dionne Warwick's mother - and Judy was soon involved in the group with them, as well as with Dionne's sister Delia, Dee Dee Warwick. The Drinkard Singers released three albums in the 1950s which featured Judy - the Newport Spiritual Stars record in 1954, a live album from the Newport jazz festival and a 1958 studio LP. Judy's voice could raise the roof and stir the soul; if you ever run across a copy of that 1958 RCA Victor album, grab it and see what I'm talking about. In 1961, Judy recorded More Than You Know/ I'd Thought I'd Gotten Over You as a solo artist. More singles followed, on Ember, Lavette, Scepter and Stax. Then, on Atlantic in 1968, came our Story Book Children/ Really Together. Many years after Judy and I had performed at the Apollo, the legendary manager of that theatre, Ralph Cooper, pulled me from a crowd, took me in his arms and told a roomful of people how important he felt our act was. It had been seen at the time in Harlem as a giant step forward. After she had made two singles with William Bell, and a couple more solo singles, Judy and I cut one more duet, Reaching For The Moon, recorded for Atlantic at the Muscle Shoals studio. One solo single she recorded there, Greatest Love, made the r&b charts. Subsequently, she worked as a back-up singer, underwent brain surgery at the end of the 1970s, and released Stayin' Alive, recorded live in Newark. In later years, Judy and I would speak by phone once or twice a year. She was back in North Carolina, singing occassionally with Cissy Houston's baptist choir in Newark, and very proud that the baby she was carrying when we first met had grown up to become a West Point graduate. And no one was prouder than she when I finally managed to get a big hit of my own, At This Moment, some 20 years after our moment. She used to tell me, "Duets are coming back. We ought to make another record." When I was working as leader of the houseband on a late-night network talk show, I tried, and almost convinced, the powers there to book Judy so we could perform together once more. But, being the whores for ratings TV people tend to be, there was always one more flavour-of-the-week act which took precedence. With Judy's passing, we have lost a great singer who never got her due. She is survived by two sons, Todd and Leo, a brother, Raymond, and her sister, Sylvia Shemwell, of the Sweet Inspirations. • Judy Clay (Judith Grace Gatewood) singer, born September 12 1938; died July 19 2001.
Billboard Update... The Billboard update for the week ending 11 August July 2001: I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU: [Thanks Lisa D.]
NEWSFILE: 3 AUGUST 2001 |
It's not often this information is made available: the latest week's Billboard sales scan numbers for Whitney Houston (chart week ending 11 August 2001): Top 200 Singles Sales [Thanks Jim R.] Contract... [Excerpt from the August 6, 2001 issue of Newsweek] The hits keep coming: just last week [music industry lawyer Allen] Grubman and a star partner, Kenny Meiselas, landed a deal for Whitney Houston with Arista said to be worth tens of millions of dollars, her biggest contract ever. [Thanks Lisa D.]
Sold Out... Wednesday August 1 2:07 PM ET [Thanks Sabine] NEWSFILE: 1 AUGUST 2001 |
JULY 2001 NEWSFILE CAN BE FOUND HERE
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© 1996-2001 Manish
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