Cissy Houston

Early Life and Family

 
Emily “Cissy” Drinkard, later known as Cissy Houston, was born on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. Cissy’s gospel music journey started very young, as she grew up in a musical family. When she was five, she became a member of her family’s group, the Drinkard Four. Music in her early years had a lasting impact on her life and career.
 

Formative Years and Musical Beginnings

 
Cissy’s childhood was marked by both tragedy and musical growth. She lost her mother at age five and her father at eighteen, but found solace and purpose in music. The Drinkard Four’s (later became the Drinkard Singers) regular performances at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church were foundational to Cissy’s gospel music career.
 

Personal Life and Family

 
Cissy’s personal life was as eventful as her professional one. She was married twice, first to Freddie Garland and later to John Russell Houston Jr. Her second marriage produced two children, including the legendary Whitney Houston. Cissy’s family tree is rich with musical talent, including her nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and her cousin, opera singer Leontyne Price.
 

Professional Career and Achievements

 
Cissy’s career spanned over seven decades, showcasing her versatility across gospel, soul, and R&B. During the sixties, she created The Sweet Inspirations, which sang backup for musical legends including Elvis, Aretha, and Van Morrison. Through this experience, Cissy lent her signature voice to countless chart-topping songs, collaborating with some of the industry’s biggest stars.
 
As a solo artist, Cissy released several albums and achieved critical acclaim. Her talent was recognized with two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, first in 1996 for “Face to Face” and again in 1998 for “He Leadeth Me.”
 

Contributions and Impact

 
Cissy’s impact on the music industry extends beyond her own performances. For over fifty years, she served as choir director at New Hope Baptist Church, fostering young talent and upholding gospel traditions. She profoundly impacted her daughter Whitney Houston’s career, shaping a legendary voice in pop music.
 

Notable Anecdotes

 
One interesting fact about Cissy is that she was pregnant with Whitney while recording backup vocals for The Drifters’ hit “On Broadway” in 1963. This anecdote beautifully illustrates how Cissy’s personal and professional lives were intertwined with music.
 

Final Years and Legacy

 
Cissy Houston passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 91 in Newark, New Jersey. At the time of her passing, she was in hospice care, struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. Even with the tragic deaths of her daughter Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, Cissy showed incredible strength and faith.
 
Her legacy lives on not only through her music but also through the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, which she helped establish. Cissy Houston’s life story is one of resilience, faith, and the enduring power of music to heal and inspire across generations.