Whitney Houston dies at 48

[DerVVulfman]

Said to be an inspiration for singers like Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Alicia keys, and was in the ranks of pop successes such as Janet Jackson and Anita Baker, Whitney Houston died today at 3:55 p.m. (Pacific Time) in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton.

Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the cause of her death was unknown.

News of Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night — the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to case a heavy pall on Sunday's ceremony. Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday; it was unclear if it was going to go forward.