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Miami Memories Of Whitney Houston

MIAMI (CBS4) - Legendary singer Whitney Houston, whose meteoric career became overshadowed by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.  The singer was found unresponsive in a bathtub in a Beverly Hills hotel room.

A special tribute is planned for Houston at Sunday's Grammy Awards which will air on CBS4.

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Whitney Houston had ties to South Florida.

One of her biggest accomplishments was filmed at the Fontainebleu Hotel in Miami Beach. In Penthouse Suite 1501 Houston and Kevin Kostner made the movie "The Body Guard." In the movie Houston's character performs before an audience at a $1,000 plate dinner. That scene was filmed in what used to be the hotel's ballroom. Today it is Liv the nightclub.

News of Houston's death spread quickly Saturday night at the Fontainebleau, where the DJ played remixes of some of her most popular songs. Fans sat back and reminisced on the life of the pop icon.

"Personally I think it's a tragedy," said Mark Didio, a fan. "I remember the movie with Kevin Costner. I grew up with that."

"One of the best renditions of the Star Spangled Banner! She had such range! Beautiful woman! Beautiful voice!," wrote Jill Saunders on the CBSMiami.com Facebook page.

"RIP Whitney Houston ! Mad love from your beloved fans in Miami !," wrote MrsDgaf Sanchez on the CBSMiami.com Facebook page.

Slideshow: Whitney Houston Through The Years

Houston owned property in Aventura. Over the years she performed a number of concerts including a sold out venue at the James L. Knight Center back in 1993.

Houston's career peaked in the 1980s and 1990s. The success, however, quickly spun out of control as the songstress fell into drugs and a troubled relationship with singer and husband Bobby Brown. In July of 2000, Houston made an appearance at the Broward County Jail to pick up Brown as he was released from jail. That event like so many others in her life became a paparazzi frenzy.

"Whitney was always so sweet to me! Was rooting for her through her struggles! Such a shame...I'm truly saddened by this news," said Gloria Estefan on her Facebook page.

Celebs & Fans React To Whitney Houston's Death

"Houston won her first GRAMMY Award in 1985 for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for "Saving All My Love For You." She won the same award in 1987 for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)." In 1993 Houston won three GRAMMYs: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female and Record Of The Year for "I Will Always Love You"; and Album Of The Year for The Bodyguard — Original Soundtrack. Houston's most recent GRAMMY win came in 1999 for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "It's Not Right But It's Okay," according to Grammy.org.

The cause of death was unknown, Houston's publicist Kristen Foster told the Associated Press.

Houston's death came on the night before music's biggest showcase, the Grammys. She will be remembered Sunday in a tribute by Jennifer Hudson, organizers said. Houston had been at rehearsals for the show Thursday, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorized to speak publicly about it. The person said Houston looked disheveled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath.

Houston was set to make her return to film in the remake of the classic movie "Sparkle." Filming on the movie, which stars former "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks, recently wrapped. Houston was one of the producers, and it tells the story of a family of singers ravaged by drug abuse — a story Houston knew all too well.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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