Friends and celebrities react to Whitney Houston’s death

LOS ANGELES>> A collection of reactions to Whitney Houston’s death:

— "First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage." — Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown, performing a show in Southaven, Miss., hours after her death.

— "I am devastated by the loss of Whitney. We have lost a true angel. My prayers, my heart goes out to her family. We have lost an extraordinary voice to the world." — singer Lionel Richie.

— "This is a sad day today, all I want to talk about is her music. She was the most beautiful woman I think I ever saw …. Thank you for giving us your talent, and one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard." — Elton John, from the stage at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, before dedicating the song "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to Houston.

— "Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed." — Dolly Parton, who wrote the original version of "I Will Always Love you," which Houston later sang for the film "The Bodyguard."

— "She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us." — Barbra Streisand.

— "She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth." — Mariah Carey.

— "As a spokesperson for the Academy, the industry, I guess I would sum it up by saying, there’s only one Whitney Houston. There will probably never ever be another. — Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy

— "I truly, truly adored Whitney Houston. Her album ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight’ was the very first album I ever bought." — Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child

— "I can’t believe that Whitney is gone. My heart goes out to her family, to Clive (Davis), and to everyone who knew and loved this amazingly talented and beautiful artist. I will always love her." — Barry Manilow

__ "My friend Whitney sang better than anyone. She was magnificent. She gave us everything she had. May she rest in peace and may we let her memory rest in peace." — Liza Minnelli

— "Without a doubt, her voice, for me, and for the world, was the gold standard. She had it all, she broke all barriers." — Tommy Mottola, former chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment

— "Whitney Houston was the greatest singer I’ve ever heard and she will be truly missed." — Tony Bennett in a post on Twitter

— "The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird." — Rev. Al Sharpton, who called for a national prayer to honor Houston and support her family

— "I’ve known Whitney since she was a little girl and I loved her. She was like family to me. I will miss her." — Smokey Robinson

— "Whitney was the reason many of us do what we do." — Pink, in a Twitter post

— "At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation. She has left behind a musical and film legacy that will endure…. she will be sorely missed by us all." — Bishop T.D. Jakes, producer of Houston’s final film project, a remake of the movie "Sparkle."

— "I think her contribution was her excellence of all levels. She was outstandingly gorgeous, an excellent performer … Excellent vocalist. She was excellent on some many levels, and set the standard for what it is to be a great female artist." — India.Arie

— "She blessed us with so much greatness in songs that we can never ever forget her." — Producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who worked with Houston

— "Her music inspired millions and the power of her voice was hard to match in its depth and crystalline beauty." — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who knew Houston.