Cissy Houston, a Grammy-winning gospel singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, died on Saturday, aged 91. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, announced confirmation via Instagram, as she shared how broken the family is while needing prayers during this challenging time. An influential figure in music, both solo and as a legendary backup singer, Cissy was always making her presence known.
Born Emily Drinkard, Cissy had an impressive career as a vocalist having worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. She sang backup for such stars as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and her niece Dionne Warwick. She also founded the popular vocal group, The Sweet Inspirations, to become a major influence in shaping the voice of soul and gospel music during the 1960s and 1970s.
Along with her work as a back-up singer, Cissy Houston had a remarkably successful solo gospel career. She won two Grammys for the respective gospel albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me”, throughout the 1990s. She gave significant contributions to the world of music, and her voice cropped up on just about innumerable tracks throughout genres and generations.
She was also known as the mother of one of the most successful and beloved musical artists in history, Whitney Houston. Whitney’s powerful voice and timeless hits, such as “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” earned her worldwide acclaim. That strong bond between Cissy and Whitney was well-known, Cissy was one who stood by her daughter through thick and thin.
