CBS Special Examines Night Whitney Houston Died And Its Impact On The GRAMMYs

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The music world was literally rocked a year ago this week.

While rehearsing for the Grammys, music's biggest event, artists got the news that Whitney Houston was found dead upstairs at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

CBS will broadcast an hour-long special this Saturday, February 9, called "The Grammys Will Go On: A Death In The Family" -- a behind-the-scenes look at what happened last year and how Houston's death impacted the awards show.

Serene Branson, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, says as artists prepare for this year's show, they cannot help but reflect on that tragic evening. The stars spoke to CBS News who produced the special.

Said Grammys Director Louis Horvitz, "One of the cameramen came on and said that he just heard that Whitney Houston had died, and we were all kind of shocked and stunned, and, and we didn't know if it was true or not. But I can tell you, right then and there, my heart started racing. I started hyperventilating."

Bonnie Raitt said, "All the people associated with the show had stayed up all night to scramble to move the things around to be able to pay tribute to Whitney. I don't think I've ever been part of anything quite as immediate as that."

The special also talked to host LL Cool J, Bruce Springsteen and Jennifer Hudson who sang a stirring rendition of Houston's classic, "I Will Always Love You."

Hudson gave the audience chills. And she tells CBS the night was healing for her, too. "To see everyone still go on and celebrate music and each other, and Whitney, with music, that's what the Grammys is. That's what the Grammy represents. You know and that's what made it a true Grammy night."