Flowers, a teddy bear and photographs of the late singer Whitney Houston are pictured at a makeshift memorial to her at a corner of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California February 13, 2012.

It was a voice that inspired a whole generation of stars. With her incredible vocal range, Whitney Houston was destined for stardom when she arrived on the music scene in 1985. Her background was steeped in soul and gospel music, and her mother Cissy Houston was a gospel singer. Whitney began singing in church in New Jersey and then in night clubs before being signed by Arista records. Her rise to fame included record setting hits, groundbreaking videos and a promising film career. She reached the peak of her career in the mid 80's and 90's and went ahead to sell more than 170 million albums and singles.

But her success was overshadowed by reports of substance abuse and marital troubles with her ex-husband Bobby Brown. Her life appeared to spiral down, and in recent years, her drug use took its toll and the voice once acknowledged as one of the finest in pop music, was badly damaged.

On word of her death, fans and celebrities expressed their condolences.

"I was at lunch when I heard about it and I actually thought it was a hoax. When I found out it was the truth it devastated me. And I've been sad. I'm still sad. It will be a long time before I heal from this. She's the greatest voice of all time."

"If you remember seeing her in the Body Guard, she was just sensational and so young and what a voice. Absolutely unbelievable. A terrible pity."

Chinese X-factor celebrity Lin yu chun (Leen Yoo Chwin) was saddened by her death, saying his dream of getting to sing with her is now shattered.

He said:" I imagined one day to really see her in person and sing this song with her, if she was alive there would be hope, but now this wish will never come true."

Houston was due to sing at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, which no doubt will now become a tribute to her life and career.