Remembering Whitney
Fans of the late Whitney Houston can expect a soulful journey down memory lane with a tribute concert by seasoned American entertainer Trina Johnson Finn, writes Aref Omar
SHE was known as one of the most awarded and best-selling female artistes of all time, having sold over 200 million records around the world.
She was apparently also the only artiste to have seven consecutive No. 1 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, in such a short span of time, from Saving All My Love
For You in 1985 to Where Do Broken Hearts Go in 1988.
More importantly, she touched people with her powerful music and enchanting singing voice. It’s been seven years since Whitney Houston’s passing but her musical legacy certainly remains solid in the hearts and ears of fans, both old and new, worldwide.
Triple threat entertainer Trina Johnson Finn is one such fan and she will be reliving the best musical moments of Houston through a live tribute show, titled Remembering Whitney — The Greatest Love Of All, happening at Istana Budaya on March 22 and 23.
AUDIBLE IMPRESSION
“The first time I heard Houston was on the radio when I was a teenager. Her first single You Give Good Love came on the radio and I was mesmerised because her voice and sound was so beautiful,” says Finn of her first encounter with the R&B, pop and soul diva.
Houston was 22 at the time and the song was from her self-titled debut album in 1985. That and her sophomore studio album, Whitney (1987), both peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and became two of the world’s best-selling albums of all time.
Finn adds: “After hearing her song, I asked my mother if she would buy Houston’s record for me, and she did, and instantly I was a fan.”
Houston was part of the many influential people in music that inspired her. She says that Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson are just a few.
On what she really loves about Houston and her work, Finn says: “I love her amazing voice, she had a special thing about her that only comes along once in a lifetime.”
SAVOURING THE LEGACY
Now fans can relive the excitement at her upcoming concert. “After Houston passed in 2012 (at the age of 48), I wanted to create a tribute show celebrating her wonderful music so everyone can remember her legacy,” says Finn.
Originally staged in Las Vegas, US and presented here by Milestone Productions, the upcoming 90-minute show will feature a slew of Houston’s greatest tunes, including I Wanna Dance With Somebody, I’m Every
Woman and Greatest Love Of All.
The 50-year-old vocalist, actress, songwriter and producer, who was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, says that there is no pressure in performing Houston’s famous songs that are so well-loved worldwide.
“I absolutely love her music and I love performing it. Houston has so many fans and I am one of them, so I do it for the love of Whitney Houston,” she says.
Her favourite song from Houston to perform live? “I Will Always Love You because it is so emotional and I can really connect with my audience.”
The song is one of her most recognisable tunes and one of six other tracks she recorded for the soundtrack to the romantic
thriller film, The Bodyguard (1992).
I Will Always Love You won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and became the best-selling single by a woman in music history.
And the hardest, most challenging one? “Honestly, many songs by Houston are challenging because she was such a great vocalist, but if I have to pick one, it would be One Moment In Time,” she says.
Finn, who studied Voice Performance and Theater at the UMKC Conservatory of Music, has worked with artistes such as Michael Bolton, Streisand, Smokey Robinson and Sly & The Family Stone.
CHANNELING INSPIRATION
On what people can expect from the show, she simply says: “The audience can expect to hear many of Houston’s great songs. They will be inspired, they will cry and they will laugh and have so much fun as I take them on a journey through the life and legacy of Whitney Houston.”
Finn adds that it was another vocal powerhouse, Tina Turner, that was the deciding factor in her wanting to make a career in the entertainment industry.
“When I was a little girl, I was watching Turner perform on a music show and I was so amazed by her performance. Not long after, I decided that being a performer was what I wanted to do,” she says.
As to being a great performer, what’s her secret then?
“I’m not sure if there is a secret, but to be a great entertainer or performer, you need to have focus, desire, passion, discipline, lots of experience and practice. Oh, and the ability to connect with your audience.”