After death, Houston music sales soar

Washington - Sales of the late Whitney Houston's records have soared after her sudden death, which triggered tributes across the entertainment world.

Houston's perhaps best known song, I Will Always Love You, was the top seller on iTunes on Monday, and her album of greatest hits was at number two behind the latest hit album by Grammy-winning star Adele.

Overall, her songs currently appear 42 times on iTunes Top 200.

On the Amazon charts, Houston occupied 10 spots in the Top 20 album chart.

Billboard, which ranks music sales, said the pop legend was expected to sell 50 000 units a day and a half after her death on Saturday at the age of 48, which should jump the singer onto Billboard 200's top 20.

Houston was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton as preparations were underway for the Grammy music awards.

Musicians, many already in Los Angeles ahead of the Grammys, lined up to pay tribute to the singer, who sold over 170 million records before descending into a very public battle with substance abuse.