Johnny Depp, Sting, Ne-Yo, Quincy Jones and Patti Smith also attended the event at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, which was held in honour of Houston.

BBC: Whitney Houston

The-Dream, a brilliant songwriter and singer from Atlanta, has seen his sales decline, as has Ne-Yo, another performer who splits his time between writing for others and for himself.

NEWYORKER: Sea Change

Does anyone not love Ne-Yo?

CNN: 'American Idol' recap: Saved!