Cissy Houston, Grammy-Winning Soul Singer and Mother of Whitney Houston, Dies at 91

Cissy Houston, the legendary soul singer and mother of pop icon Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. Houston died peacefully at her New Jersey home on Monday while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a statement from her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston.

Pat Houston expressed the family’s grief in a statement to USA TODAY, saying, “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.” Houston was celebrated not only for her immense talent but also for her deep faith and dedication to family, ministry, and community.

A Trailblazer in Gospel and Soul Music

Born Emily Drinkard in Newark, New Jersey, in September 1933, Cissy Houston’s roots in music were nurtured by her father, Nitcholas Drinkard, who encouraged her to sing in church. She began her career as part of the family group The Drinkard Singers, which included her siblings. In 1958, the group made history as the first gospel group to release an album on a major label with A Joyful Noise under RCA Records.

Houston’s musical journey expanded in the 1960s when she joined The Sweet Inspirations, an R&B girl group featuring her nieces Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick. The group became renowned for providing backup vocals for legends like Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, and Dusty Springfield.

Solo Career and Legacy

Cissy Houston’s solo career began in 1970 with the release of Presenting Cissy Houston. She gained recognition for her version of “Midnight Train to Georgia,” a song that would later become a major hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Houston continued to evolve musically, venturing into disco with albums such as Think it Over and Step Aside for a Lady. Her versatility and contributions to gospel earned her two Grammy Awards, including Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album in 1997 for Face to Face.

As a mother, Cissy Houston’s influence extended to her daughter Whitney Houston, one of the most iconic voices in pop music history. Her impact on both gospel and soul music remains undeniable, with a legacy spanning over seven decades.

Houston is survived by her family, who will cherish her memory as a beloved matriarch and a towering figure in the world of music.