Whitney Houston, R.I.P.

Calling any iconic performer's death "shocking" has become an all-too familiar cliche, but in this case "shocking" truly fits. Although Whitney Houston had a long and public battle with substance abuse -- and the cause of her death remains undetermined as I write this --  it was never expected that she'd bow out so soon.

Like Michael Jackson, Houston's music was so omnipresent it wallpapered my childhood, even as I determined to be that kid who hated pop music. I adored this song and video, though, and it's impossible to deny that she was one of the best true singers of her generation. That's a cliche I can get behind.