Alicia Keys Inducts Whitney Houston at Rock Hall 2020 Ceremony: Watch - Pitchfork

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Watch Whitney Houston’s Rock Hall 2020 Induction With Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, More

“Whitney Houston is one of one. There is no one like her, and there never will be.”—Alicia Keys

By Noah Yoo

November 8, 2020

Whitney Houston (courtesy the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

Whitney Houston was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during tonight’s ceremony, which aired on HBO. Alicia Keys gave the late icon’s induction speech, beginning, “Whitney Houston is one of one.” Keys went on to recall meeting Houston (“She sought me out at one of Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy parties. I was still in awe of this crazy world I was newly welcomed into, and she marched right up to me and she said, ‘You are gonna write a song for me.’”), working together on “Million Dollar Bill,” and her impact on music and the world (“We all know her music will live forever.”) Read Alicia Keys’ speech in full below, and watch the full ceremony on HBO Max.

After Keys’ speech, the Rock Hall played a video featuring Jennifer Hudson, Clive Davis, gospel singer Kelly Price, and Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy Houston, along with archival footage of Aretha Franklin, Oprah Winfrey, and Lady Gaga. Jennifer Hudson said:

Being a little girl seeing this goddess command the stage with her presence and her voice thinking like, “Who is this? I want to be like that one day.” She could stand flat foot and sing. No running from the notes, but completely executing purely from the softest tone to the ultimate power.

Cissy and Pat Houston (Whitney’s manager and sister-in-law) accepted Whitney Houston’s induction on the singer’s behalf. “I’m so very very proud that Whitney’s being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Cissy said. “She wanted to be something, not anything. She worked hard at it too.” Find their remarks below, too.

Read all of Pitchfork’s coverage of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020 ceremony.

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Alicia Keys’ induction speech

Whitney Houston is one of one. There is no one like her, and there never will be. I remember growing up listening to her music and dancing around the house and jumping on my bed singing her songs into my hairbrush. This golden voice with range and runs and power like none and a face and a presence like royalty. She was every little girl’s admiration.

When I first met her, she sought me out at one of Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy parties. I was still in awe of this crazy world I was newly welcomed into, and she marched right up to me and she said, “You are gonna write a song for me.” I couldn’t believe it! Had the greatest voice of all time demanded that of little ol’ me? I was shocked and completely overjoyed and slightly scared, and thus began a beautiful friendship that was so genuine and sincere. We were kindred spirits and instant sisters.

We did work together on “Million Dollar Bill,” a song I wrote for her album I Look to You. We laughed so much that I thought we’d never be able to finish the song. We called each other “Mima,” and I cherish every moment that I got to talk to her, be in her beautiful company, and love her. I still can’t believe that was Whitney’s last album and that she’s no longer with us.

We all know what a miraculous singer Whitney was—perhaps the greatest voice of our time. We all know how her unprecedented success brought Black women into the absolute highest reaches of the music industry’s pantheon. We all know her music will live forever. That music, that everlasting voice, is her final generous gift to us, and she will now be one of the brightest lights ever to shine in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Mima. We miss you.

Cissy and Pat Houston’s acceptance speech

Cissy Houston: I’m so very very proud that Whitney’s being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She wanted to be something, not anything. She worked hard at it too.

Pat Houston: This is something that Whitney always wanted. I remember in 2009 we were in London and Whitney looked at me and said, “This is really special, but there’s only one thing missing—I got to get the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

Cissy Houston: Yeah, she did it!

Pat Houston: This moment right now proves it all—that there’s only one, matchless Whitney Houston. And tonight, she would’ve been very proud and honored to receive this award.

Cissy Houston: What can I say? If I talk too long, I’ll cry, and I don’t wanna cry. So thank you!

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