Cissy Houston: A Legendary Singer and Mother, Gone at 91

Cissy Houston, the mother of late superstar Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. Her death came on Monday morning in her New Jersey home, where she was under hospice care for Alzheimer's disease. Cissy Houston was not just a Grammy-winning gospel singer; she was a musical icon who collaborated with legends like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Houston's journey in music began early. She started her career in 1938, joining her siblings to form the gospel group, The Drinkard Four. Later, she became the Minister of Sacred Music at New Hope Baptist Church. Her talent didn't go unnoticed, and she soon joined the renowned vocal group, the Sweet Inspirations. This group backed up various soul singers, including Otis Redding and Dionne Warwick. The Sweet Inspirations also appeared on hit songs like Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Burning of the Midnight Lamp. " In 1969, they performed with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas, marking one of their most memorable live shows. Houston's last recording with the group, "(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover," became a major R&B hit. After leaving the Sweet Inspirations, Houston pursued a successful solo career. She recorded over 600 songs, showcasing her versatility across multiple genres. Her signature vocals can be heard on tracks with artists like Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, and her daughter, Whitney Houston. Houston's solo albums "Face to Face" and "He Leadeth Me" won Grammys in the best traditional soul gospel album category in 1997 and 1998, respectively. She also authored three books, including "He Leadeth Me" and "Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped. " Cissy Houston's contributions to music and culture are immense. Her family described her as a strong, faithful figure who deeply cared about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music will forever be remembered.