Clive Davis and Whitney Houston at 2007 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Awards Party - Arrivals held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California - 10.02.07

The singer took to the stage at the bash to honour her mentor Davis' contribution to the music industry, and was watched by music legends Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow and a host of other industry bigshots including Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis.

And Houston proved she was determined to make her return to the spotlight go with a bang - singing her beloved hits I Will Always Love You and I'm Every Woman to blow away her famous fans.

And the tried-and-tested tracks obviously worked - actor Jamie Foxx branded Houston's performance "a new beginning".

He told reporters, "She was on it, she was happy - she's back. Everybody else watch out.

"We all crossed our fingers that her beautiful story would end (happily). This is a new beginning."

Houston is preparing for the release of her new album next month (Mar09) - her first since 2002 - after an alleged battle with drug addiction.

Source: WENN