Cissy Houston, renowned gospel singer and Whitney Houston’s mother, dies at 91

Cissy Houston, famend soul and gospel singer and mom to Whitney Houston, died on the age of 91.

Houston, a two-time Grammy winner who sang backup for Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, handed away at her dwelling Monday morning in New Jersey, in accordance with her daughter-in-law Pat Houston. Houston, who was surrounded by her household, was underneath hospice look after Alzheimer’s illness.

“Our hearts are full of ache and unhappiness. We loss the matriarch of our household,” shared Pat Houston in an announcement. “Mom Cissy has been a robust and towering determine in our lives. A lady of deep religion and conviction, who cared drastically about household, ministry, and group.”

“Her greater than seven-decade profession in music and leisure will stay on the forefront of our hearts,” the assertion mentioned. “Her contributions to widespread music and tradition are unparalleled. We’re blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so a few years with us and we’re grateful for all the numerous precious life classes that she taught us. Might she relaxation in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and different cherished members of the family.”

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Houston bought her begin in leisure as a member of the gospel group Drinkard 4. She later fashioned the Candy Inspirations alongside Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy, singing backup for Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. As a part of the group, she sang backup on Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Woman” and the Jimi Hendrix Expertise’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp.”

The group’s last present occurred in Las Vegas in 1969 alongside Presley. As a solo musician, she launched her debut album “Presenting Cissy Houston” in 1970, adopted by a string of information over time together with her newest, 2012’s “Stroll on By Religion.” She sang backup on a whole lot of recordings together with Bette Middler’s 1972 debut “The Divine Miss M.” and Franklin’s “Ain’t No Means,” and all through her profession, her vocals might be heard on information from Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Donny Hathaway, Wilson Pickett and lots of extra.

Houston gained her first Grammy in 1997 for “Face to Face,” which triumphed in one of the best conventional soul gospel album class. Two years later, she gained the Grammy in the identical class for her album “He Leadeth Me.”

Houston got here from a household of entertainers, together with her daughter Whitney Houston; nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick; and cousin to Leontyne Value, an opera singer. She was the youngest of eight youngsters.

“On behalf of The Houston Household, we’re touched by your beneficiant help, and your outpouring of affection throughout our profound time of grief,” mentioned the household in an announcement. “We respectfully request our privateness throughout this troublesome time.”