Alicia Keys Performs Tribute at Whitney Houston Funeral [Video]
Alicia Keys paid a moving tribute to Whitney Houston at the late singer’s funeral on Saturday. Dressed in a dark suit, a visibly emotional Keys sang “Send Me an Angel” at the service at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. She was replacing Aretha Franklin, who was unable to sing at the funeral due to illness.
Keys was joined at Houston’s final goodbye by a long list of big music and movie industry names, and she wasn’t the only one singing: Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and gospel legends BeBe & CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell also belted out tributes.
Houston, 48, passed away in a Beverly Hills hotel room on February 11, though the cause of death has yet to be established. During the service, Keys described Houston as “an angel,” revealing how the soul singer had helped her and other up-and-coming singers personally:
“She reached back to so many people; she reached back to me, to Monica and Brandy … all these beautiful young artists, and just made us feel strong and capable and loved. So she’s an angel to us, and has been an angel to us.”
Keys and Houston had been friends for some years. Like Houston, Keys was a protege of Clive Davis, and it was Keys who wrote “Million Dollar Bill,” the hit single on Houston’s latest album.
As well as Keys’ performance, Whitney’s Bodyguard co-star Kevin Costner delivered an emotional eulogy, in which he reflected on his and Houston’s shared Baptist church upbringings, and talked at length about the efforts they made to create the film that both are probably most famous for.
Here’s the full version of ‘Send Me an Angel’ from Alicia Keys at the service:
Tags : alicia keys, alicia keys whitney houston funeral, whitney houston, whitney houston funeral
Posted: February 20, 2012
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Feb 20, 2012
She Gave Her Heart & Soul In This You Know She Loved Whitney & Is Down To Earth Girl..Blessings To Alicia Keys:)
Feb 20, 2012
That's a fine send off…..you can tell her heart was in it. Whitney heard that for sure
Feb 20, 2012
That's a fine send off…..you can tell her heart was in it. Whitney heard that for sure
Feb 20, 2012
WOW! That was Beautiful great job Alicia! Music so expressive and that performance oozed of love and deep emotion, thank you!
Feb 20, 2012
AMONG THE STARS IS WHITNEY ABOVE THE STARS NOW SHE HSA GONE , WELCOME TO UR HOME GOING @CHILL-GILL PRODUCTION!
Feb 20, 2012
THE KEYS THROUGH THE HEART IS MUSIC , THANKS FOR LETTING HEAR THOUGHS KEYS MAKING GOOD MUSIC @ ITS BEST! CHARLES GILL associated content thanks u, as well.
Feb 20, 2012
Aretha Franklin should have been there. She performed at Radio Music City that evening, so she should have been there at her Goddaughter's funeral. So sad.
Feb 20, 2012
Great ANGEL! not the Locsin huh, the GF of the Younghusband. Floyd GAYweather is fucking scared of Pacquing!
Feb 20, 2012
that was sweet Alicia Keys, she is happy where ever she is.
Feb 20, 2012
BOBBY JUST BETTER BE A GREAT DAD TO THEM KIDS!!!!!!!!
Feb 21, 2012
honestly, I could have done without the boob/bra shots. I am certain Miss Keys put her heart and soul into her song.Perhaps when she hears it played back , she too will say"Why was I shrieking?" I wish she would have kept the notes in her normal range. Nice song though.
Feb 21, 2012
a keys-keep it straight–we need more of your style and music.
whitney will be missed–rare voice–go in piece.
Feb 21, 2012
This was certainly not my favorite performance but I know that she was sad at the loss of her friend so I will not be too negative. I really enjoyed the Spirit-filled performances of Pastor McClurkin, the Winans, Kim Burell, etc…I truly felt that I was at my home church. I was shoutin during some parts of the service. Whitney would have loved it.
Feb 22, 2012
Why in the world is this on my page? I just made a comment on another site.
Feb 25, 2012
Well that was not a performance my Alicia Keys that was a sad goodbye to her friend.
Feb 29, 2012
Kim SoularPowered Wilson And that is why I did not linger on the negativity.