Cissy Houston Death – The music world and beyond are mourning the loss of Cissy Houston, the beloved gospel singer and mother of the iconic Whitney Houston. Houston passed away peacefully at her home in New Jersey on Monday morning, surrounded by her family. She was 91.
Houston, a two-time Grammy Award-winning artist, had been receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, shared the heartbreaking news, describing Cissy as a “strong and towering figure” in their lives.
Cissy Houston’s musical career spanned decades, during which she performed alongside legendary artists such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Born in New Jersey in 1933, she began her journey in music at a young age, forming a gospel group with her siblings.
In the 1960s, she joined the renowned R&B group The Sweet Inspirations, known for their backup vocals for iconic singers like Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. The group also contributed to Van Morrison’s classic hit “Brown Eyed Girl.”
After achieving success with The Sweet Inspirations, Houston embarked on a solo career, collaborating with renowned artists like Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her daughter, Whitney.
Houston’s contributions to the music industry were recognized with two Grammy Awards for her traditional soul gospel albums, “Face to Face” in 1997 and “He Leadeth Me” in 1998. She also authored three books, including “Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss, and The Night the Music Stopped,” a poignant tribute to her daughter.
In her 2013 memoir, “Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped,” Houston sought to clarify misconceptions about her daughter, emphasizing Whitney’s loving and giving nature while acknowledging her personal struggles.
Cissy Houston was a proud mother to her sons, Gary and Michael, and grandmother to several grandchildren. Tragically, she lost her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown in 2015, three years after Whitney’s passing.
A memorable moment in Houston’s career came at the age of 80 when she reunited with Aretha Franklin on “The Late Show with David Letterman” to perform a rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Pat Houston shared that Cissy’s “more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.” Houston’s impressive credits included contributions to Franklin’s iconic songs “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” as well as vocals on Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.”
“We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us, and we are thankful for all the valuable life lessons she taught us,” Pat added. “May she rest in peace alongside her daughter, Whitney, granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”
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