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Whitney Houston - Source: ONE News -
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Here's a question: how many lives does music have?
Is it more of a cat - with nine lives - or a Phoenix that continues to rise from the ashes?
Because according to the world's media, the music has died a lot lately. It died with Michael Jackson. It died with Amy Winehouse. And now, once again, it has died with Whitney Houston.
You have to wonder how limited some sub-editors' playlists are if they believe the entire world catalogue of music begins and ends with one person.
Yes, I know, it's a dramatic hyperbole. It makes a nice headline. But it's also incredibly annoying.
The fact is there are hundreds of musicians who have contributed a hell of a lot more to the world than Whitney Houston.
Yes, she had an incredible voice. But no one had heard it for the better part of a decade. Her voice died long before her body did.
Her last attempt at new music in 2009 was mediocre at best and confirmed what many suspected; that Whitney's best days were long behind her.
So how exactly has the music died? Was anyone really expecting her to make a triumphant comeback?
I'm not trying to belittle Whitney's death. It is, of course, incredibly sad. As is any death.
I'm just calling for a little perspective.
Yes, she was a hugely talented woman who possessed massive amounts of charisma. The world was her oyster and she could have done anything she put her mind to.
Instead, she became a drug addict. Something which requires no special skills or talent.
Crack is whack - and Whitney was whackadoodle.
So yes, we should remember her music. By all means, put on your favourite Whitney record and remember that phenomenal voice.
But please don't pretend this is some sort of unjust tragedy. An angel taken too soon or some other trite Hallmark platitude.
Whitney took drugs. Drugs killed Whitney. It's a pretty simple equation.
To read more Joanna Hunkin opinion click here
