$100 Million...

[Wire Services Report]

HOUSTON SIGNS ON TO $100 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL

Arista Records is taking a big gamble on Whitney Houston.

Despite the pop diva's history of erratic behavior, and despite Arista having lost millions last year amid a widespread slump in the music industry, the label has cut a $100 million deal with its long-time star.

"Whitney Houston is the premier vocalist of our time," gushed Arista chief Antonio (L.A.) Reid. "She is the queen of Arista Records."

Fans can expect to see a new album from Houston in the next six months, Reid said. Under the new contract, she is obliged to deliver seven albums to Arista.

Asked whether he was concerned about Houston's personal problems - some of them drug-related - Reid said: "We all have good times and bad. I looked at Whitney Houston and saw a woman dedicated to her career."

Reid, who took over Arista a year ago from Clive Davis, has made it a priority to keep Houston from following Davis - the man who discovered her in 1983 and helped catapult her to superstardom - to his new company at J Records.

NEWSFILE: 5 AUGUST 2001