A very good friend of mine texted me Saturday evening (February 11) immediately after hearing of Whitney Houston’s passing saying “I am sure there is a connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem-after all she was a gospel singer to start.” My good friend was right. There is a connection between Whitney and Harlem. I discovered online that “the music video for Whitney’s hit single, ‘Greatest Love of All,’ a song first recorded by George Benson for the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest, was filmed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The video features a cameo by Whitney’s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston.” Watch the video below. It is very clear she is singing on the big stage at the Apollo in New York City’s Harlem.
If you know of any other connection between Whitney Houston and Harlem, please tell us here so that we can celebrate her and her history to Harlem, and the world.