Rising Star...

[From Fox 411]

Will Whitney Houston's Star Rise Again?

Wednesday, February 02, 2005
By Roger Friedman
Whitney Houston's Comeback?

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 always 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 Billy Preston, who'll be collaborating in a Ray Charles tribute at the Grammy show with Bonnie Raitt.

Last year, Alicia Keys sang with the legendary R&B group Ray, Goodman and Brown and Russell Thompkins, Jr. of the Stylistics.

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, he might cause a bigger stir 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.
 

NEWSFILE: 2 FEBRUARY 2005