Whitney Houston making lemonade from lemons on the Tonight Show (1985)

[wtmusic]

In 1985 Whitney made her first appearance on the Tonight Show. The band used to be careless with unknowns - you never knew quite what you were going to get - and this is no exception. They completely botch the tempo, starting You Give Good Love about 10bpm too slow. Instead of snapping her fingers to the band to pick up the tempo, or losing her cool, Whitney OWNS the performance - she makes it work for her.

Even more impressive was when she was sitting on the couch with Carson later: while talking about her gospel upbringing she launched into an a capella Amazing Grace that gave me goose bumps I still remember 26 years later.

Enjoy.

[rocktivity]

1. Well, you're supposed to stay on tempo no matter what if you're ANY kind of good!

And it's not unusual to slow it down a little when you're live.

I've watched -- and reviewed -- enough rock concerts to know.


rocktivity

[wtmusic]

2. She's supposed to sing faster than the band?

[rocktivity]

4. You always sing WITH the band's tempo whether it's botched or not

Last edited Tue Feb 14, 2012, 06:15 PM - Edit history (1)

and make up the difference melodically if needed. Isn't that why you were complimenting her? I was.


rocktivitity

[riverwalker]

3. Dinah, Amy, Whitney

Been thinking a lot about Dinah Washington since Whitney died. I think I have every recording Dinah ever made. She died at age 39 from prescription and diet drugs. I was recently made aware that Amy Whitehouse was her number one fan. Such talented, sensitive beautiful women. Dinah felt she was never thin enough or pretty enough, in many ways she is all of us.

[applegrove]

5. I saw that show. I was blown away...as was Carson, the band and the audience.

[Bozita]

6. WOW! ... Simply WOW!

Champagne from lemons, for sure.

[bigwillq]

7. Whitney was indeed amazing.

So sad RIP

[rocktivity]

8. Working video link

Last edited Wed Feb 6, 2013, 10:57 PM - Edit history (1)

You're welcome.


rocktivity