(October 7, 2024) She was an amazing talent whose star was often hidden in her role supporting others; and so it was fitting that her profile rose to its highest level when the daughter she nurtured became perhaps the biggest star in the world. Today we say a sad goodbye to the great Cissy Houston, at age 91. She died at her New Jersey home after suffering for some time from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Daughter-in-law Pat Houston said in a statement “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss 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. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”
Born Emily Drinkard in Newark, New Jersey, Cissy Houston was long a revered figure in the world of gospel, soul, and R&B. Over her long career she built an impressive legacy as both a solo artist and a prominent background vocalist.
Cissy began her professional journey as a member of The Drinkard Singers, a gospel group that included several family members, including her niece, Dionne Warwick. In the 1960s, she formed Sweet Inspirations, a vocal group that provided backing vocals for legends like Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Van Morrison, and Wilson Pickett, and that also issued some now-classic singles toward the end of that decade.
As a solo artist, Cissy Houston made waves with her commanding and soulful voice. Her debut album Presenting Cissy Houston (1970) showcased her gospel roots and her ability to seamlessly transition into secular music. She continued to release critically acclaimed albums like Step Aside for a Lady (1980) and Think It Over (1978), cementing her place in the R&B world.
Beyond her own career, Cissy Houston is perhaps best known as the mother of the iconic Whitney Houston. She played a pivotal role in nurturing Whitney’s talent from a young age, guiding her through the early stages of her career and into superstardom. Cissy became even more revered by the musical world as her daughter’s star grew, and her heartbreak when Whitney died in 2012 was also shared by a grieving world.
Cissy Houston’s contributions to music, both as a solo artist and a guiding force behind one of the greatest voices of all time, solidified her status as an enduring icon in music. May she rest in eternal peace.
