Whitney Houston promised Clive Davis of being 'ready by August’

Whitney Houston, whose substance abuse problems had also reportedly affected her career, had told her music mentor Clive Davis that she was working on getting her voice back.

The music producer revealed this as he delivered a eulogy at Houston’s funeral on Saturday.

“Last week Whitney came to my hotel bungalow alone - no bodyguards, no security, just Whitney and me. And she played her new cuts from ‘Sparkle’ for me and I played some new music that I liked for her,” he said.

“It was like old times and she looked at me and quietly said, ‘I want you to know I’m getting in shape. I’m swimming an hour or two a day and I’m committed to get my high notes back - no cigarettes — plenty of vocal exercising — Clive, I’ll be ready by August’”, he added.

Houston’s funeral was held at the New Hope Baptist Church in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey.

“You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime. You wait for a face like that, a smile like that, a presence like that for a lifetime. And when one person embodies it all, well it takes your breath away,” he said.

“That’s the way I felt in 1983 when in the middle of your act at Sweetwater’s, Cissy, your daughter stepped forward and shattered me with her version of ‘Greatest Love Of All’.

“And that night we connected and then we connected with each other every night thereafter for the rest of her life,” he added.

Davis said that despite Whitney's own troubles she was always there for him whenever he needed her.

“Yes, she admitted to crisis in her life.  Yes, she confessed to Oprah about her searing battles.  But when I needed her she was there.  She was there for me, an eternally loyal friend,” he said.

“Whatever the cause or event, she was there dominating the stage, stunning an audience and creating still another lifetime memory. ‘I Believe In You And Me’ she sang, looking me straight in the eye, showing she knew we’ve always been in it together. Yes, I was her industry father and I was and am so proud of it,” he said.