Cissy Houston, a renowned gospel and soul singer, passed away on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the age of 91, surrounded by family at her New Jersey home.
The matriarch of the Houston family, she left behind a legacy that spans over seven decades in the music industry. While she may be best known as the mother of the late Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston’s life and career were filled with remarkable achievements and contributions to music history.
Here are seven things you may not have known about this extraordinary woman.
1. A Gospel Star from a Young Age
Born Emily Drinkard in Newark, New Jersey, in 1933, Cissy Houston was the youngest of eight children. At just five years old, she began her singing career in a gospel group with her siblings, known as The Drinkard Singers.
This group, which included future stars Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick (her nieces), gained national attention and was one of the first gospel groups to record an album with RCA Records, titled A Joyful Noise.
2. Founding Member of The Sweet Inspirations
In the 1960s, Cissy co-founded the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations, a powerhouse backing vocal group that sang with some of the biggest names in music history.
From Otis Redding to Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison, Houston’s vocals were integral to some of the most iconic tracks of the era, including Franklin’s “Think” and Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.”
Her work with Elvis Presley was particularly memorable, and Presley fondly referred to Cissy as “Squirrelly,” even gifting her a personalized bracelet with the nickname inscribed.
3. Grammy-Winning Solo Artist
Though she found immense success as a background singer, Houston’s solo career was just as impressive.
She won two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, first in 1997 for Face to Face and again in 1998 for He Leadeth Me.
Her powerful and soulful voice made her a beloved figure in gospel music, where she released 10 solo albums throughout her career.
4. A Vocalist Across Multiple Genres
Cissy Houston’s voice transcended genres, from gospel to R&B, soul, and even rock.
As an in-demand session singer, she recorded over 600 songs and collaborated with an incredible range of artists including Jimi Hendrix, Chaka Khan, Paul Simon, Luther Vandross, and of course, her daughter Whitney Houston.
She sang backup on countless hits and helped shape the sound of modern music across decades.
5. Minister of Sacred Music
In addition to her musical career, Cissy was deeply rooted in her faith.
She served as the Minister of Sacred Music at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where she had attended since childhood.
Her deep faith and commitment to her church played a significant role in her life, and she remained an active part of her religious community throughout her career.
6. Memoir Writer and Advocate
Cissy Houston was also an author, penning several books, including Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped, a memoir about her daughter Whitney Houston, who passed away in 2012.
In the book, she shared heartfelt memories and insights into Whitney’s life, aiming to dispel misconceptions about her daughter and provide a mother’s perspective on her struggles and successes.
7. Enduring Legacy
Cissy Houston’s influence on popular music is undeniable. Her contributions as a vocalist, performer, and mentor helped shape her daughter Whitney’s career and the broader music industry.
Despite personal heartbreaks, including the loss of Whitney and her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, Cissy Houston’s legacy as a gospel and soul music pioneer remains strong.
As her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, noted in a family statement:
“Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”
Cissy Houston’s death marks the end of an era, but her voice, faith, and musical influence will continue to inspire future generations. She is survived by her sons Gary and Michael, and her extended family.
May she rest in peace alongside her beloved daughter Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina.
