Whitney Houston learned how to sing from her mother Cissy Houston who was a gospel singer. At the age of only 11, Whitney performed "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah' for the first time as a soloist in the junior gospel choir at the New Hope Baptist Church, New Jersey.
Whitney sang a few back up including Chaka Khan's 'I'm Every Woman' before signing a record deal. Her first record was "Hold Me" in 1984, a duet with Teddy Pendergrass.
IN 1985, Whitney released her debut album - Whitney Houston including 3 hit singles "Saving All My Love for You","Greatest Love of All" and "How Will I Know".