Diva Whitney Houston received a warm and highly motional welcome at Manchester’s MEN Arena on Wednesday night. Fans had waited over two months to see the Nothing But Love tour after it was postponed in April when the singer was reported to have a respiratory infection.
And what should have been the UK opener instead brings the curtain down tonight on a tour that has certainly had more downs than ups.
It was a surreal experience.
What until recently would surely have been a sell-out performance filled only the lower tiers of the massive arena. Concert-goers were clearly nervous after poor reviews and the support acts tried in vain to warm up the wary audience.
Then the star herself took the stage.
Looking a shadow of her former self, the 46-year-old, dressed all in black with a long trench style coat, began with two songs from her new album before reminding us of her 25 years in music.
At times there were glimpses of the mega-star who has been one of the most successful artists over the last three decades. Her voice retains a lovely tone and on occasions the enormous power that she is so famous for threatened to win through.
However the singer, who has battled drug addiction, was visibly distressed, clearly breathless and there was a palpable relief in the auditorium when she reached the end of the set without serious mishap.
No-one could claim that this was a good performance - songs were interrupted frequently for the singer to compose herself - but there was an undeniable appeal in her vulnerability and spirit.
She was more comfortable with the up-beat pop numbers and I enjoyed her renditions of I Wanna Dance With Somebody and How Will I Know?
But it was her signature I Will Always Love You that will be remembered...the fragile star stopped midway through and just when it seemed she would leave the song unfinished, she was lifted by the crowd to continue.
And, as she completed the classic, the reception was as warm as if it had been note-perfect.
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