I can’t believe it’s time for a Greatest Hits. This is a culmination of all the years we have spent together, and this is my way of thanking all of you for your support. I have some incredible memories from these times—I remember the early days in the clubs with Jellybean Benitez and Clivilles & Cole doing remixes. I remember singing my songs all over the world—I remember the response when audiences first heard “I Will Always Love You,” and how special “Greatest Love of All” will always be to me—I remember it all! I have picked some of my favorite recordings for this collection—we’ve added some killer remixes, and some new songs as well. I am very proud of the finished product, so sit back, relax, and take a trip down memory lane with me. Peace….
Thank You’s
First, giving thanks to the Almighty Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head of my Life.
I would like to thank everyone at Arista, past and present, for all the hard work and support over the years.
To Clive Davis, my industry father: As always, I could not have done it without you. Thank you for your understanding and knowledge. I look forward to the next 15 years. “I will always love you.”
Thanks to Charles Goldstuck, Lionel Ridenour and the entire R&B promotion department. Richard Palmese and the entire pop promotion department, Ken Levy, Jordan Katz and the entire sales department, Mark Young, Gwendolyn Quinn and the entire publicity department, Mark Zimet, Steve Bartels, Adam Sexton, Hos Gureli, Keith Naftaly, Ross Gross-Marino, Tom Corson – welcome!, Laura Swanson—welcome, Jess Auerbach and the entire production department, Rachel Stein, George Levendis and the entire international department, Melinda Kelly, Thomas Martin, Andrew Berkowitz, Christopher Stern, Susanne Savage, John Kubrick, Lawrence Grotts, A.J. Benson, John Conroy, Miriam Gonzalez, Tania Ivany, and all the Arista and BMG staffers all over the world.
Special Thank You’s
To Bobby – my love, my friend, you are everything to me, your loving wife, Whitney. Bobbi Kristina – you are my heart and inspiration, always remember to be good for yourself, Mommy loves you. Mommy and Daddy – Words can never express how much I love you and appreciate your undying support. Ma and Pop Brown – I love you. Gary and Michael – God bless you and your families. My in-laws: Pat, Tommy, Tina, Bethy, Lele and Carol – God bless. Landon, Robert and LaPrincia – Whitney Loves you. Aunt Bae (De De) – thanks for loving me.
Enrique Iglesias, George Michael, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, and Deborah Cox – it was a pleasure and honor to join creative forces. God bless you all.
To everyone at Nippy, Inc., thanks for caring and always standing behind me through it all – Donna Houston, Robyn Crawford, Laurie Badami, Sylvia Vejar – you guys are great – keep on keepin’ on – love you, Nip. Lynne Volkman – my wonderful in-house publicist. Michelle Canal. Shelley Lane – I love you, Shel. Rose Hunt – a true seamstress. Brian Hawkins, Firoz Hasham, Darrin Jackson. To Carol Ensminger – I’m always praying for you, and Alan Jacobs – thanks for watching my back. Michael Baker – a brilliant musical director – God loves you and so do I. Tony Bulluck – the best tour manager in the world – keep the trucks and busses rollin’. Ellin LaVar, Roxanna Floyd and Patti Wilson – thanks for the great hairstyles, makeup and clothes. Debra Chase – you are a great partner in Brownhouse. Nicole David – I love you, my friend. Fred Gaines – thanks for the legal advice. Everyone at Mintz Rosenfeld & Co – thanks. Nancy Seltzer and the staff at Nancy Seltzer & Associates. Roxy Meade – my international publicist. To the staffs of Mayer, Glassman, Gaines & Rapore, and The William Morris Agency – you support is truly appreciated.
To my new staff members – welcome aboard. To all the volunteers who work so tirelessly for my foundation – my deepest thanks – Winston, Joanne, Lori, Cindy, Joe, Tom, Carmen, and Caroline.
Dr. Groff, Dr. Turkowitz, and Dr. Boffard – thanks for being there when a girl needs you.
To The Whitney Houston Platinum Club – thanks for traveling all over the world throughout the years.
To Radio, Retail, MTV, BET, VH1, and The Box – thanks for helping to keep Whitney alive all over the world.
To all the songwriters who have written great songs over the years: LaLa, Michael Masser, Gerry Goffin, Linda Creed, Jeffrey Osborne, Elliot Willensky, Will Jennings, Frank Wildhorn, Chuck Jackson, Dean Pitchford, Michael Gore, Allan Rich, Jud Friedman, David Foster, Linda Thompson, Dolly Parton, Babyface, Sandy Linzer, David Wolfert, Soulshock & Karlin, Tamara Savage, Wyclef Jean, Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip, “Shep” Crawford, Shae Jones, Stacey “Dove” Daniels, Montell Jordan, Diane Warren, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins II, Lashawn Daniels, Toni Estes, Isaac Phillips, Annie Lennox, Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Daryl Simmons, LA Reid, Toni C., Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly, George Merrill, Shannon Rubicam, Narada Michael Walden, Albert Hammond, John Bettis,, God bless.
To all the producers: Kashif, Michael Masser, Jermaine Jackson, Tom Keane, Narada Michael Walden, David Foster, Babyface, Mervyn warren, Soulshock & Karlin, Wyclef Jean, Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip, “Shep” Crawford, Rodney Jerkins, Stephen Lipson, LA Reid, Jellybean, David Morales, Daryl Simmons. It was a pleasure working with you.
To the remixers: Brian Rawling & Mark Taylor, Chris Cox & Barry Harris, Jonathan Peters & Tony Coluccio, Hex Hector & Mac Quayle, Junior Vasquez, Robert Clivilles & David Cole, CJ Mackintosh, Jellybean, David Morales, Harry “Choo-Choo” Romero, Jose Nunez & Erick Morillo. Love those hot tracks.
Special shout-outs to Kelly Price, Faith Evans, CeCe Winans, Perri Reid, Mary J. Blige, Monica, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Oprah Winfrey, David Gest, Billy Evans, Bob “Big Dawg” Fortenot, Howard Destefano, Kevin Bray, all my crew members who work so hard, and Richard “Dickie” Harris.
Whitney
