Whitney Houston spoke to mother, Cissy Houston, and Dionne Warwick prior to death

Just a half hour before her death on Saturday afternoon, Whitney Houston spoke with her mother, Cissy Houston and talked with her cousin, Dionne Warwick, a few hours before that.

Whitney's 78-year old mother is said to be distraught after receiving the news of her daughter's death so soon after speaking with her. Whitney talked to her famous mother about attending the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party where she was going to sing for the assembled celebs just hours later.

She had also called her cousin Dionne to confirm that they would be sitting at the same table for the party.

Both Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston recorded for Clive's Arista Records label.

Friends of Dionne say she is "an absolute mess" at the moment while her mother is "hysterical".

Cissy Houston sang in the group Sweet Inspirations with Dionne's sister Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy. They also sang backing vocals for many acts of the time including Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison. Cissy sang backing vocals on Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl. They were also the backing singers for Elvis Presley in Las Vegas in July and August 1969.

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