Singer’s loss mourned here

"Lovely, gracious, fun, delightful."

That is how radio host Dyanna Williams is remembering Whitney Houston today. Williams, an on-air personality for WRNB radio 100.3 FM, first met Houston years ago at a function honoring the late singer's former husband, Bobby Brown.

"Her impact is forever," Williams told The Inquirer. "She had some troubles in her life, but she set a pace and tone for male and female artists to follow."

Williams said WRNB was suspending its regular show in order to broadcast Houston songs for the entire day, as well as taking calls from listeners who want to "express their pain and loss."

"I put her passing up there with Michael Jackson," she said. "Clearly her music is part of a soundtrack to our lives."

Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the legendary Philadelphia songwriters and producers, released this statement: "Whitney Houston was an unbelievable talent and one of the greatest voices of all time. Her passing is a terrible shame. She had a rough life and was under so much pressure as an artist because she meant so much to the music community. She was among the most admired singers ever, who was loved by everybody. We're praying for her family."

Gamble and Huff recalled how they'd come to know a certain toddler when their 1969 song "Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover" appeared on Sweet Sweet Soul - an album recorded by singer Cissy Houston and her group in those days, the Sweet Inspirations.

That was when Cissy's daughter Whitney was a baby.

"Whenever Cissy couldn't find a babysitter, she'd bring Whitney to our studio in Philly," Gamble and Huff said in their statement. "Cissy always used to talk about her daughter when we were recording her, and what a great talent she was going to be."

Meanwhile, Mayor Nutter was one of many political and communitiy leaders mourning Houston's loss on Twitter. "Very saddened at the passing of Whitney Houston, a great singer, very talented woman," Nutter tweeted. "May she rest in peace, pray for her family. God Bless."

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