LOS ANGELES — Cissy Houston, the mother of the late Whitney Houston and a two-time Grammy winner who performed alongside superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin, has died. She was 91.
Houston died Monday morning in her New Jersey home while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston told The Associated Press. The acclaimed gospel singer was surrounded by her family.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” Pat Houston said in a statement. She said her mother-in-law’s contributions to popular music and culture are “unparalleled.”
“Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”
Houston was in the well-known vocal group, the Sweet Inspirations, with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warrick. The group sang backup for a variety of soul singers including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, The Drifters and Dionne Warwick.
The Sweet Inspirations appeared on Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and sang background vocals for The Jimi Hendrix Experience on the song “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” in 1967. In the same year, Houston worked on Franklin’s classic “Ain’t No Way.”
Houston’s last performance with the Sweet Inspirations came after the group hit the stage with Presley in a Las Vegas show in 1969. Her final recording session with the group turned into their biggest R&B hit “(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover” a composition by the production team of Gamble & Huff, who appeared on the group’s fifth album, “Sweet Sweet Soul.”
During that time, the group occasionally performed live concert dates with Franklin. After the group’s success and four albums together, Houston left The Sweet Inspirations to pursue a solo career where she flourished.
Houston became an in-demand session singer and recorded more than 600 songs in multiple genres throughout her career. Her vocals can heard on tracks alongside a wide range of artists including Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack and her daughter.
In 1971, Houston’s signature vocals were featured on Burt Bacharach’s solo album, which includes “Mexican Divorce,” “All Kinds of People” and “One Less Bell to Answer.” She performed various standards including Barbra Streisand’s hit song, “Evergreen.”
Houston won Grammys for her albums “Face to Face” in 1997 and “He Leadeth Me” the following year in the best traditional soul gospel album category.
Houston authored three books: “He Leadeth Me,” “How Sweet The Sound: My Life with God and Gospel” and “Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped.”
In 1938, Cissy Houston started her career when she joined her sister Anne and brothers Larry and Nicky to form the gospel group, The Drinkard Four, who recorded one album. She attended New Hope Baptist Church, where she later become Minister of Sacred Music.
Houston was the youngest of eight children.
“We are touched by your generous support, and your outpouring of love during our profound time of grief,” Houston said on behalf of the family. “We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time.”
Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. The news of her death has sent shockwaves through the music industry and beyond, as she was not only a talented performer in her own right but also the matriarch of one of the most iconic families in music history.
Born Emily “Cissy” Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, Houston began her music career at a young age. She first gained fame as a member of the gospel group The Drinkard Singers, which included her sister Lee Warrick and her cousins Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick. The group achieved success in the gospel music scene and eventually caught the attention of record labels.
In the 1960s, Houston embarked on a solo career and released several albums that showcased her powerful voice and soulful style. She won her first Grammy Award in 1978 for Best Soul Gospel Performance for her album “Face to Face.” Throughout her career, Houston continued to receive critical acclaim for her vocal abilities and was considered one of the greatest gospel singers of her time.
However, it was her role as a mother that truly defined Houston’s legacy. She was the mother of three children, including Whitney Houston, who would go on to become one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Cissy Houston played a pivotal role in shaping Whitney’s career and supporting her through the highs and lows of fame.
Tragically, Whitney Houston passed away in 2012 at the age of 48, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire fans around the world. Cissy Houston remained a steadfast presence in the years following her daughter’s death, continuing to perform and share her love of music with audiences.
In addition to her musical talents, Cissy Houston was also known for her philanthropic work and dedication to her family. She was a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice causes and used her platform to raise awareness about issues affecting the African American community.
The passing of Cissy Houston marks the end of an era in music history. Her contributions to gospel music and her influence on her daughter Whitney’s career will be remembered for generations to come. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her family. Rest in peace, Cissy Houston.
