RIP Whitney Houston

I don't care about who was better. But Collins was beyond a shadow of a doubt as big a hitmaker and MTV presence as Prince, Madonna, Whitney, what have you. And Billy Ocean, whoever said that? Lay off the crack pipe....advice Ms. Houston surely should have taken.

 

Not arguing the quality of the work, just the level of exposure. Jackson, Houston, Madonna and Collins dabbled in a little bit of everything, not just music and the accompanying videos. I'm talking TV and movie roles, magazine articles, unending touring, cameos on other projects whether it was producing or singing a duet or doing benefit concerts like Farm Aid or USA for Africa.

I'd argue that these four were everywhere for that decade. I'd argue Will Smith was the face of the 1990s with his level of exposure.

 

I think the Phil Collins thing could have something to do with age.

Dooley, who is slightly older than I am, remembers the entire decade. Those of us in the early-to-mid 30s, we didn't really start watching MTV until 1984 or 1985. For me, I don't remember a single Collins/Genesis video except the puppet one and the "I Can't Dance" shitshow.

He was a sideshow to me.

 

There was a span when Phil Collins was pretty much inescapable on MTV. He performed at both the London and Philly Live Aid concerts -- the only artist to do that.

 

Slightly older? I wish that were true.

Anyhoo, a friend dropped this knowledge on me:

No. 1 hits in the 80s:
Phil Collins: 7
Whitney Houston 7
Madonna 7
Prince 4

 

I was being kind.


Bodie, if you haven't heard this stripped down version of "How Will I Know" you're missing out.

She had my favorite voice of any female singer ever.

 

I definitely remember how MTV and radio promoted "Collins-free weekends" in the 80s.

Anyway, Collins won't get as much attention because of how polarizing his music is. You either love him or you hate him. Not a lot of in-between. The guy definitely fell off the map in the last 20 years. Even when Whitney and Michael weren't making music, they were making news. Phil, not so much.

I predict a lot of Whitney love now that we're in the prime of Idol, the Voice and Grammys tomorrow night. I'm sure I'll be loathing it within 48 hours.

 

That's great.

She was as powerful a singer as I have ever heard. I have studied music for the better part of 20 years and she was as amazing as anyone.

Another classic:

 

With the exception of Purple Rain I am not sure Prince was as big as Madonna, Whitney, Jackosn, Collins. As others have noted Collins seemed pretty ubiquitous in the 80s. I rememebr what big news it was when he moved into movies and what big news it was when they flopped.

 

Phil Collins? No.

Artists from the 1980s who if they died right now, it would break prime time news are IMHO...

Madonna
Bruce
Whitney
Bono
maybe Garth Brooks
maybe Prince

Held for 11 o'clock news...
Axle
Sting
Phil
Simon Le Bon
and all the rest

The reason is that short list are those four or five are the biggest stars for their demographic or music taste. I am sure I am missing a couple, but Bruce is #1 for men. He pushes Axle, Bowie, Phil and all the others back. Whitney was #1 women or right with Madonna.

Bono is up there because he is still touring and still a pretty big deal.

 

They'd save Simon LeBon for the morning after.