Gospel Star Cissy Houston, Mother of Whitney Houston, Dies

Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning gospel singer and mother of the late singer Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 95. Houston died at her home in her native New Jersey on Monday while in hospice care for Alzheimer's disease.
Born Emily Drinkard in Newark in 1933, Houston began her professional career at the age of five, joining her sister Anne and brothers Larry and Nicky in the family gospel vocal group, the Drinkard Four.
The group achieved early success, regularly performing at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark and signing a recording deal with RCA, becoming one of the first gospel acts to release an album through a major label.
In 1963, she formed the session group Sweet Inspirations with Doris Troy and niece Dee Dee Warwick, and they were hired to provide backing vocals for artists such as Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick.
That same year, she launched a solo career under the name Cecily Blair, recording secular hits such as "World Of Broken Hearts" and "One Broken Heart For Sale," among others.
She released her first solo album as Cissy Houston in 1970, featuring charting singles like "I'll Be There" and "Be My Baby."
Houston won a Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for "Face to Face" in 1996, followed by another Grammy three years later for Best Traditional Gospel Album.
In addition to her singing career, she served as the Minister of Music at New Hope Baptist Church for more than 50 years.
Tags : Whitney Houston cissy houston cissy houston news Cissy Houston funeral
Hot Trends
-
David and Tamela Mann's "The Live Breathe Fight" Tour Cancelled
-
Jeremy Camp’s "I Still Believe" Film Coming To Netflix May 15
-
Robert Peterson and The Crusade Release their Latest Single “Change Coming On"
-
Kim Gentry Meyer Talks About Her New Book, Paintings & Prison Ministry
-
Maverick City Music, Tamela Mann and More Nominated at 2025 BET Awards
-
New Docu-Film “The Face of Jesus” Set for Release on June 3
-
Fantasia Barrino is Committed to Release Her Debut Gospel Album
-
Spin Off of the Hit Musical Film "A Week Away: The Series" is Coming
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Kutless Returns to their Rock Roots with "Midnight"
-
The Mylon Hayes Family Returns with "Sing His Praise!"
-
Gretchen Keskeys Releases New Single, "Christ You See," to Christian Radio
-
Brandon Lake & Kirk Franklin Set To Appear In ‘American Idol’ Finale Episode Airing May 18
-
Karen Peck & New River Returns with New Album "Good Answers" May 16
-
Celebrating Valentine's Day: Story Behind Steve Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here"
Most Popular
-
David and Tamela Mann's "The Live Breathe Fight" Tour Cancelled
-
Jeremy Camp’s "I Still Believe" Film Coming To Netflix May 15
-
Robert Peterson and The Crusade Release their Latest Single “Change Coming On"
-
Kim Gentry Meyer Talks About Her New Book, Paintings & Prison Ministry
-
Maverick City Music, Tamela Mann and More Nominated at 2025 BET Awards
-
New Docu-Film “The Face of Jesus” Set for Release on June 3
-
Fantasia Barrino is Committed to Release Her Debut Gospel Album
-
Spin Off of the Hit Musical Film "A Week Away: The Series" is Coming
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Kutless Returns to their Rock Roots with "Midnight"
-
The Mylon Hayes Family Returns with "Sing His Praise!"
-
Gretchen Keskeys Releases New Single, "Christ You See," to Christian Radio
-
Brandon Lake & Kirk Franklin Set To Appear In ‘American Idol’ Finale Episode Airing May 18
-
Karen Peck & New River Returns with New Album "Good Answers" May 16
-
Celebrating Valentine's Day: Story Behind Steve Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here"