Cissy Houston Memorial Cover

Cissy Houston, beloved soul and gospel singer who won two Grammys and performed opposite stars including Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, was the mother of the late Whitney Houston. Born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, Cissy Houston got her start 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. She became a successful session singer, with her vocals heard on tracks from Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her daughter Whitney. She sang backup for numerous artists on recordings including Bette Middler's 1972 debut The Divine Miss M., Franklin's Ain't No Way, and Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl. Houston came from a family of entertainers, including her daughter Whitney and nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick. She also was cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price.