Q 01/05

In which New Jersey city was Whitney Houston born in 1963?

A) Newark

B) Trenton

C) Camden

D) Paterson

Answer · why

A) Newark

Newark is home to New Hope Baptist Church, where she first sang in the choir her mother directed, and where her 2012 funeral was held.

Q 02/05

Which Grammy-winning singer, founder of The Sweet Inspirations, was Whitney Houston's mother?

A) Thelma Houston

B) Cissy Houston

C) Mavis Staples

D) Shirley Caesar

Answer · why

B) Cissy Houston

Cissy Houston; as a teenager Whitney sang backup, then solos, in her mother's nightclub act, which brought her first record offers.

Q 03/05

Which of these famous singers was Houston's cousin?

A) Patti LaBelle

B) Gladys Knight

C) Dionne Warwick

D) Roberta Flack

Answer · why

C) Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick; Whitney's mother and her group, The Sweet Inspirations, sang backup on Warwick's early records.

Q 04/05

What nickname did Whitney Houston's family and friends use for her as a child?

A) Nippy

B) Bunny

C) Birdie

D) Pumpkin

Answer · why

A) Nippy

Nippy; her parents turned down her first record offers, insisting she finish high school before signing anything.

Q 05/05

Which vocal technique is Whitney Houston widely credited with popularising in mainstream pop?

A) Falsetto

B) Melisma

C) Whistle register

D) Scatting

Answer · why

B) Melisma

Melisma; the early 'I' in her 'I Will Always Love You' stretches across notes for nearly six seconds, and talent-show hopefuls copied the style for ye...