Renowned Gospel Singer and Mother of Whitney Houston Dies at 91.Â
Monday morning, at the age of 91, Cissy Houston, the revered gospel singer and mother of the famous Whitney Houston, passed away. Her family acknowledged the news with a moving statement.
What Was Cissy Houston's Life Filled With?
Twice a Grammy Award winner, Houston passed away at her New Jersey house under hospice care for Alzheimer’s illness. Saying, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness,” her daughter-in-law Pat Houston let the world know she was grieving. We lost the family matriarch. Emphasising Cissy’s significant influence on their life, Pat said she was a “strong and towering figure” who moulded the family’s character.
What Is Cissy Houston's Legacy of Musical Excellence?
Over many years, Cissy Houston had an extraordinary career singing with musical icons like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Born in New Jersey in 1933, she started her musical career early on, creating a gospel ensemble with her brothers. She was the youngest of eight children. Her remarkable career originated in this early love.
Houston started the R&B ensemble Sweet Inspirations in the 1960s, which backed well-known performers such as Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, and Otis Redding. They also gave Van Morrison’s ageless song “Brown Eyed Girl” a voice, marking a turning point in their career.
What Did Cissy Houston's Solo Career and Family Bonds Entail?
After her triumph with Sweet Inspirations, Houston started a solo career working with many musicians like Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her daughter Whitney, who sadly passed away in 2012 at 48. Because of her musical ability and adaptability, Cissy became a beloved person in the business.
For her classic soul gospel albums “Face to Face” in 1997 and “He Leadeth Me” in 1998, Houston won Grammy Awards. Her contributions to music went beyond mere performance; she also wrote three books, including a moving homage to her daughter, “Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped.”
What Was Cissy Houston's Final Performance, and What Fond Memories Did It Create?
Houston displayed her continuing ability even at eighty when she accompanied Aretha Franklin on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” mesmerising viewers with a performance of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” This performance brought to light her relentless enthusiasm for music.
Thinking back on Cissy’s incredible journey, Pat Houston said, “Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.” “We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us,” she said, appreciating the family’s time with Cissy.
How Is the Family Mourning Cissy Houston's Passing?
“May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter Whitney, granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other loved family members,” Pat said in her parting statements. Although Cissy Houston’s death leaves a great vacuum in the lives of those who loved her and the world of music, her legacy will remain via her many accomplishments and influence on the next generations of musicians.
