LOS ANGELES, (AFP) - Pop legend and actress Whitney Houston died in a  Beverly Hills hotel, triggering shock and tributes as the music world  gathered for the annual Grammy awards show. She was 48.
Houston,  whose hits include "I will Always Love You," was found dead in her room  at the Beverly Hilton, hours before a traditional pre-Grammys dinner at  the hotel where she was reportedly due to perform. Musicians,  gathered ahead of the Grammys on Sunday evening, lined up to pay tribute  to the singer, who sold over 170 million records before descending into  a very public battle with substance abuse.
"She was one of the  greatest singers I ever heard," said veteran crooner Tony Bennett, on  the red carpet at the Beverly Hills hotel, where Houston's body was  found in her fourth floor room.
Police confirmed her death in a  brief statement outside the hotel, where stars were gathering for the  annual pre-Grammys dinner hosted by veteran producer Clive Davis.
"At 3:55 pm, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel," said Mark Rosen, a police spokesman.
Rosen  said police received an emergency call from someone in her entourage  and found Houston on the floor of her room as attempts were being made  to resuscitate her.
"There were no  obvious signs of criminal intent at this time, and it is being  investigated by the Beverly Hills police department," the police  spokesman added.The cause of death was not immediately known.
People  magazine and the TMZ celebrity website reported that Houston had been  due to perform at the Saturday night dinner, but this could not  immediately be confirmed.
A mobile crime laboratory and a number  of police cars were stationed outside the hotel, while inside guests  watched live television coverage about Houston's death. Condolences  poured in on Twitter from shocked fans and from the famous, as sadness  over the news spread through the entertainment world.
"Heartbroken  and in tears over the shocking death of my friend ... She will never be  forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth," wrote  Mariah Carey.
"We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to  Whitney's family. She will be missed," said Christina Aguilera, while  Rihanna wrote simply: "No words! Just tears #DearWhitney."
Smokey Robinson told CNN: "I will always love her. She is one of the greatest voices in the history of music."
Grammys  organizers the Recording Academy are scrambling to include some kind of  tribute to Houston in Sunday's show at the Staples Center in Los  Angeles, according to CNN.
The tribute could involve singer  Jennifer Hudson, it added, while Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich told the  broadcaster: "Knowing Whitney as I did she knew the importance of  thrilling an audience, and that's what we still plan to do."
With a  ferociously powerful voice and a dazzling range, Houston achieved  stardom as a pop-soul singer known as "The Voice" and the "Queen of  Pop." She also appeared in hit movies like "Waiting to Exhale" and "The  Bodyguard."
From a musical family that included mother Cissy  Houston, a gospel star, and Dionne Warwick, her cousin, Whitney Houston  started out as a teen model and then made a dazzling segue to music.
Her hits included "How Will I Know," "Saving all My Love for You," and "I Will Always Love You."
Houston's  trove of six Grammy awards included one for record of the year -- for a  soaring cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," and another  for album of the year for "The Bodyguard."
Houston,  who grew up in New Jersey, was also a supporter of the anti-apartheid  movement and South Africa's Nelson Mandela, on whose behalf she  campaigned during his imprisonment.
She struggled with substance abuse, which took a toll on her health and career.
Houston  has sold more than 170 million records worldwide but suffered a major  career setback after admitting drug use during an abusive relationship  with ex-husband Bobby Brown.
Brown was one of the hottest rhythm  and blues singers in the late 1980s and early 90s, but became better  known as the husband of Houston and for his frequent brushes with drugs  and the law.
The pair, who were divorced in 2007, starred in a  television reality series, "Being Bobby Brown," that featured their  marriage, warts and all. They have a daughter Bobbi Kristina.
Brown  was detained in Atlanta in 1993 for lewd conduct and for brawling in  1995. He was arrested for drunk driving in 1996 and for alleged battery  of Houston in late 2003.
Stella says: 
Indeed this was a very shocked news. I discovered it this morning. Sadly, we lost another great singer. She is the greatest singer ever. And I always love her voice as well as her songs. Rest in peace Whitney Houston. May you in GOD's hand now..