When I was about 12 years old, I sang all day long. Annoyingly so…:) So everyone I encountered knew I loved anything music. Every week at the Growing Pains taping I would sing for the studio audience crowd, usually “I Will Always Love You”. So mortifying!! HAHAHA. Anyways, one of the people who worked there was also a drum rep. He would go to amazing concerts and rehearsals and many times let me tag along.
On a night I will never forget, he called my parents and said I needed to get ready fast. Whitney Houston had decided for her last rehearsal, before setting out on tour, she wanted an audience for feedback. It was in a rehearsal space but they had set up a few rows of chairs in front of a small round stage. The room was not large and we were crammed around her little circle stage. The people in the front rows knees actually touching the stage!
It was mostly her family, close friends and some execs…I shouldn’t have been there! We all went to sit and I was second row center about 2 feet from the stage. The two seats next to me were empty and Whitney was waiting for these two people to arrive before beginning. In walked Stevie Wonder with a friend and they moved through my row and Stevie sat next to me!!! He put his arm quickly on the armrest of the chair and I didn’t have time to move mine. His arm landed on mine and he said “I’m sorry sweetie, here…( he put his arm on the rest and then rested my arm on his!), I love when kids get to see Whitney”. I was thinking how did he know I was a kid!? I hadn’t even spoken a word! “Thank you! We will share!” I said. “Oh I’m sitting next to a singer I hear!” he said to me while I sat in shock. He had a gigantic ring on his hand underneath mine and I stared in awe. “Wow! That’s a beautiful ring!” He took it off and let me try it on. I was in Heaven! One of my faves was talking to me!!!
The lights turned down and Whitney came out. She was beautiful and talked with everyone for a while. Explaining what she wanted the next tour to be like. Some of the audience talked to her as well. She obviously knew everyone…but me!
And then she started singing! Oh that voice… toward the end of the show she started to sing “I Will Always Love You” and my heart stopped. Now I had listened to this song countless times, but to hear her sing it a few feet away from me? Nothing like it!!! At the point that the music stops and she belts the big part of the song “And Iiiiiii Will Always” Stevie grabbed my arm. It’s a good thing he grabbed mine because I almost grabbed his! It was like the chills in my arms made them have to hold onto whatever was close so I didn’t float away!
It was amazing! The show ended and the lights came on, sweet Stevie hugged me goodbye. It was an inspiring magical night.
So so so sad. She is one of the best voices of our time and no female, in my opinion, has come even close since.
Rest in peace Whitney and many prayers to your family…:(
What a great story! She had such a powerful voice, a voice that can bring me to tears every time I listen to I Will Always Love You. Another great singer taken away to soon! Rest in Peace!!!
Wow, what a story! Magical is the right word. It was so sad waking up today and hear the news about Whitney… I also grew up singing (or trying to) her songs. So inspirational to us all. Sing loud up there Whitney, so we can hear you down here to..
beautiful memory. I will remember her this way. :')
Just reading your story gave me chills, I can't imagine being there.
What a beautiful memory of two legends, I'm sure you'll treasure this at a new level now.
It blows my mind to think of how many people are hearing her voice inside our heads and hearts today. So sad.
Connie
That was a fantastic story. I'm so glad you got to experience that in your life and i'm so glad that I got to live it through your words. Thanks for sharing, Haylie. I agree. She was an amazing voice and one that has yet to be matched. Her vocal range was amazing! My eyes welled up with tears immediately when you described the chills you felt. I'm such a crier… I would have cried AND gotten chills.
That was the second time I've heard a story about someone meeting Stevie Wonder, the other being a young guy working the gift shop counter at Hitsville USA in Detroit. Both of you talked about how intuitive and kind he was. He's a favorite of mine, too, of course. It's always great to hear that the people you admire from afar are truly worthy of your admiration.
Oh how I so love your stories, they are fantastic! I understand singing all the time as a child. My mom had to instate a 'no singing at the dinner table' rule because of my obsession. I have sung many of her songs into my hairbrush over the years. I was very sad when I heard the news. These kinds of things just seem to be happening too much these days. 🙁
Where did you get that stroller? I'm having twins and I have a 2 year old. I need this! -M