Cissy Houston, the celebrated gospel and soul artist known for her collaborations with iconic musicians including Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, has passed away at the age of 91. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, confirmed that she died on Monday morning at her home in New Jersey, where she had been receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by family at the time of her death.
Pat Houston expressed the family’s sorrow, stating, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.” She went on to highlight Cissy Houston’s significant contributions to music and culture, calling them “unparalleled.”
“Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives,” Pat Houston said. “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 a gifted performer from a young age, initially forming a gospel act with her siblings. She gained fame in the 1960s as a member of the renowned vocal group The Sweet Inspirations, which included her niece Dee Dee Warwick and singer Doris Troy. The group provided backing vocals for prominent artists such as Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, and Dionne Warwick, and also gained recognition for their own top-20 single, “Sweet Inspiration.”
Throughout her illustrious career, Houston’s distinctive voice graced numerous tracks, including Aretha Franklin’s hits “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” as well as Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” She fondly remembered her time performing alongside Elvis Presley, recounting how he gifted her a bracelet inscribed with his nickname for her: “Squirrelly.”
After her time with The Sweet Inspirations, Houston transitioned to a successful solo career, recording over 600 songs across various genres. Her discography includes the Grammy-winning albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me.” Houston was also known for her work as a session singer, collaborating with a diverse array of artists, including Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, and her daughter, Whitney Houston.
Houston’s influence extended beyond her recordings; she led the 200-member Youth Inspirational Choir at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church, where Whitney began her musical journey. Despite initially discouraging her daughter from pursuing a career in entertainment, Cissy Houston and Whitney formed a close musical bond, performing together on various platforms, including television shows and films.
Cissy Houston and Whitney’s shared moments included memorable performances on “The Merv Griffin Show” and the film “The Preacher’s Wife.” Their mother-daughter connection was poignantly captured in the music video for Whitney’s hit “Greatest Love of All,” which concluded with an emotional embrace.
The family faced immense heartache when Whitney Houston struggled with addiction, ultimately leading to her tragic death in 2012. Cissy Houston expressed blame toward Whitney’s ex-husband Bobby Brown in her memoir, attributing her daughter’s drug issues to his influence.
Cissy Houston’s family continued to endure grief with the loss of her granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, in 2015, who died at the age of 22 after being found unresponsive in a bathtub.
Houston’s personal life included a brief marriage to Freddie Garland in the 1950s, from which she had a son, Gary Garland. She was married to Whitney’s father, John Russell Houston, from 1959 until their divorce in 1990. In addition to Whitney, the couple had a son, Michael.
Throughout her life, Cissy Houston remained connected to her gospel roots, performing with the Drinkard Singers and later collaborating with notable musicians. She was known for her deep faith and dedication to her family and community.
In her memoir, “How Sweet the Sound,” Houston reflected on her journey through the music industry, noting the barriers of race that faded away in the studio as artists collaborated to create memorable music.
In response to her passing, Pat Houston expressed gratitude for the lessons learned from Cissy, stating that the family feels “blessed and grateful” for the years they shared. She requested privacy for the family during this difficult time, acknowledging the outpouring of love and support from the public.
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