Cissy Houston, a revered gospel and soul singer with a career spanning over seven decades, passed away at the age of 91. Known not only as the mother of the iconic Whitney Houston but also for her own illustrious career, Houston died peacefully at her home in New Jersey, surrounded by her family. The news was confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, who shared that Cissy had been under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
In a statement, Pat Houston expressed the family’s grief over the loss of their matriarch. “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family. 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.” She went on to honor Cissy’s enduring legacy in music, saying, “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us, and we are thankful for the many valuable life lessons she taught us. May she rest in peace alongside her daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina.”
Born Emily “Cissy” Drinkard in Newark, New Jersey, in 1933, Houston was destined for greatness. Her early start in the gospel group, the Drinkard Singers, laid the foundation for what would become a groundbreaking career. The group, which included family members, would go on to perform at major venues and influence gospel music for decades.
Houston later formed The Sweet Inspirations, a powerhouse backup group that worked with some of the most legendary names in music. Alongside Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy, Cissy’s voice graced records for Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and her niece, Dionne Warwick. Her vocals contributed to some of the most iconic tracks of the era, including Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp.”
Her career would see her performing alongside musical giants like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. The Sweet Inspirations famously performed their final show in Las Vegas in 1969 as Presley’s backing singers. Houston’s voice also featured prominently on Franklin’s legendary track, “Ain’t No Way.” Beyond backup vocals, Houston’s solo career took off in 1970 with her debut album, *Presenting Cissy Houston*. Over the years, she would release a string of solo records, with her final album, *Walk on By Faith*, released in 2012.
In addition to her recording work, Houston became known for her deep faith, which resonated through her music. She earned two Grammy Awards, the first in 1997 for her album *Face to Face* and again in 1999 for *He Leadeth Me*, both of which won in the Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album category.
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