Diva opened the door to Western pop, report Chen Nan, He Na and Wang Chenyan in Beijing.

Musicians, producers and fans on Sunday paid tribute to US soul diva Whitney Houston, hailing her as an inspirational figure who opened the door to Western pop music.

The singer, a household name in China since her 1992 mega-hit I Will Always Love You, was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room on Saturday (Sunday, Beijing time). She was 48.

"She was a queen on the stage," music mogul Song Ke wrote on his micro blog shortly after hearing of Houston's death. "My heart and soul were shocked when I watched her live in concert. We will not find many voices like hers."

Song, founder of Taihe Rye Music and former head of Warner China, said he had seen the diva perform in the United States and China and described being overwhelmed by her talent.

"In this fast-changing world, when a new star pops up every day, it's easy to forget a voice. But for Chinese fans her songs will always be classics," he told China Daily. "She was far too young to die."

The body of pop icon Whitney Houston is removed from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday. Jae C. Hong / Agencies