Cissy Houston, renowned gospel singer and the mother of Whitney Houston, died on Monday morning at the age of 91, her family said in a statement. Houston, a two-time Grammy Award winning singer, died in her New Jersey home while in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston said.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” she said, adding that her mother-in-law was a “strong and towering figure” in the family’s life.
Cissy Houston legendary singer
Houston enjoyed a decades-long successful singing career, where she performed alongside superstars like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Born in New Jersey in 1933, Houston was the youngest of eight children. She began singing at a young age after she formed a gospel group with her siblings. In the 1960s, she formed the R&B group the Sweet Inspirations, which sang backup for big names like Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. They also performed on Van Morrison’s hit song Brown Eyed Girl.
October 8, 2024 – Cissy Houston, the legendary gospel and soul singer best known as the mother of the iconic Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. A powerful vocalist in her own right, Cissy played a vital role in shaping the sound of American music across multiple genres over several decades.
Cissy Houston, born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, began her singing career in the 1950s as a member of the gospel group The Drinkard Singers, which included her siblings. Her talent as a backing vocalist for some of the greatest names in music, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Dionne Warwick (her niece), made her a highly respected figure in the industry.
Her most notable contribution, however, was as a guiding force in the career of her daughter, Whitney Houston. Cissy nurtured Whitney’s musical talent from a young age, instilling in her the gospel roots that would shape her into one of the greatest voices in pop history. Whitney often credited her mother with being a major influence on her legendary vocal technique and style.
Though she stood in the shadow of her daughter’s fame, Cissy carved out her own successful career. She won two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album in the 1990s and continued performing well into her later years. In addition to her work in music, Cissy was also a minister and philanthropist, dedicated to her church and her community.
Her passing comes as a somber moment for fans of both the Houston family and the broader music world. In a statement, the family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, saying, “Cissy Houston’s legacy will live on through her music, her faith, and the countless lives she touched both on and off stage.”
Cissy Houston leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only through her remarkable vocal career but also through the influence she had on the next generation of artists, including her daughter, Whitney. She will be remembered for her grace, her voice, and her immense contributions to the music world.
Houston is survived by her extended family, friends, and a world of fans who will continue to cherish the music she left behind.
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