Whitney Houston's Bloomfield Connection

While Whitney didm't live in Bloomfield, she grew up on the northern border of East Orange, s block from Watsessing Park, and probably spent many afternoons playing there.

Neighbors say Whitney Houston grew up at 362 Dodd St. in East Orange. Houston and her family moved to the home from riot-ravaged Newark, when she was 4. She was the daughter of John Russell Houston Jr., an entertainment executive, and gospel singer Cissy Houston. Dionne Warwick was her cousin, and Aretha Franklin was her godmother.

It's ironic that this was the year of a major restructuring and consolidation in Grammy Gospel and Roots Music award categories,