Cissy Houston, renowned gospel singer, and Whitney Houston’s mother dies at 91;
Houston, a two-time Grammy winner, passed away at her home Monday morning in New Jersey, according to her daughter-in-law Pat Houston. Houston was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Houston got started her career in entertainment as a member of the gospel group Drinkard Four. She later formed the Sweet Inspirations alongside Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy, singing backup for Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. Being part of the group, she sang backup on Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp.”
The group’s final show occurred in Las Vegas in 1969 alongside Presley. Her first released debut album was “Presenting Cissy Houston” in 1970, followed by a string of records including her latest, 2012’s “Walk on By Faith.” She sang backup on hundreds of recordings including Bette Middler’s 1972 debut “The Divine Miss M.” and Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way,” and throughout her career, her vocals could be heard on records from Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Donny Hathaway, Wilson Pickett and many more.
Houston won her first Grammy in 1997 for “Face to Face.” ” Face To Face ” triumphed in the best traditional soul gospel album category. Two years later, she won the Grammy in the same category for her album “He Leadeth Me.”
Houston came from a family of entertainers, including her daughter Whitney Houston; nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick; and cousin to Leontyne Price, an opera singer. She was the youngest of eight children.
“On behalf of The Houston Family, we are touched by your generous support, and your outpouring of love during our profound time of grief,” said the family in a statement. “We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time.”
