Grammy Awards 2012 Open With Whitney Houston Tribute

13 February 2012

The Grammy Awards opened on a solemn note today with a tribute to Whitney Houston, who was found dead over the weekend.

The auditorium fell silent as host LL Cool J led a prayer as a tribute to the singer announcing "We've had a death in our family," to the Grammys crowd.

"So at least for me the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for a woman we love."

Celebrities bowed their heads in prayer as LL Cool J said: "We thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us."

"Although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit.

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The prayer was followed by footage of Whitney singing a powerful rendition of her hit song 'I Will Always Love You' on a big screen above the stage.

The 48-year-old music legend died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was preparing to attend a pre-Grammys party. Her staff were unable to revive her when she was found submerged in water in a bathtub on Saturday, and it is believed she drowned after falling unconscious.

An autopsy has been completed, although the results will not be known until a toxicology test is done.