Cissy Houston, Iconic Gospel Songstress and Whitney Houston's Mother, Passes at 91 – Impact on Music and Legacy Explored
The Prodigious Rise of Cissy Houston: From Family Gospel Roots to Global Fame
Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, into a family that breathed music. Rooted deeply in gospel traditions, she blossomed into one of the most lauded songstresses in the genre. Her journey in music started in the gospel field, singing with The Drinkard Singers, alongside her siblings, in the churches of Newark. The family group transitioned into the gospel sphere, often drawing larger audiences and stoking the fires of inspiration in young Cissy, who would soon carve her name into the annals of music history.
In the 1960s, Cissy soared into popular music with The Sweet Inspirations, a group that provided backup vocals to some of the greatest soul singers of our time. Her mellifluous voice graced recordings alongside Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Elvis Presley, creating footprints for a stellar music journey. The Sweet Inspirations were known for lending harmony to Franklin's 'Think' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman', and their ensemble work on Elvis's albums punctuated their ubiquitous presence in the music landscape. Van Morrison's 'Brown Eyed Girl' and Dusty Springfield's 'Son of a Preacher Man' were successful as much due to their compositions and performance as due to the masterful backing provided by voices like that of Cissy Houston.
A Solo Journey: From Session Singer to Grammy Winner
Despite the collective success of The Sweet Inspirations, Cissy decided to forge her way as a solo artist. Leaving the group allowed her to explore different musical genres and paths, leading to an illustrious career as a solo session singer. Her session work saw her voice breathe life into over 600 recordings, with artists spanning across genres entrusting Cissy with their music. On tracks with luminaries such as Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, and Paul Simon, her voice acts as both a powerful anchor and a soaring treble guiding melody.
Cissy Houston's solo career bore many fruits, with albums such as 'Presenting Cissy Houston', 'Think It Over', and her Grammy-winning gospel albums 'Face to Face' and 'He Leadeth Me'. Her renditions of various standards, including Barbra Streisand's 'Evergreen', transcend ordinary covers—each performance is a testament to her unique prowess. The transition from backing singer to renowned solo artist was not just a shift in roles but an ascension to a position where her artistry could be fully appreciated and celebrated in its own right.
Mother to a Legend: The Whitney Connection
While Cissy Houston's achievements in music were formidable, another layer of her legacy is intricately tied to her daughter, Whitney Houston. Cissy played a critical role in Whitney's musical development, branding her distinct style and prowess onto Whitney from an early age. This influence is evident in Whitney's breathtaking range and emotional depth, attributes that helped propel her to iconic status. The mother-daughter duo often collaborated and performed together, creating memorable musical moments both on stage and in recordings.
Amongst these performances, special mention goes to their shared vocal lead on 'I Know Him So Well' from Whitney's multi-platinum mega-seller 'Whitney'. Moreover, their poignant, shared appearance in the 1996 film 'The Preacher's Wife' reflected not only their talent but also a deep familial bond, intertwined with the artistry that music embodies. The music video for 'Greatest Love of All', a mother-daughter homage, left an indelible mark—a reminder of the love and legacy passed from Cissy to Whitney.
Personal Life and Legacy
Cissy Houston's personal life was filled with both triumphs and tribulations. Her marriage to John Russell Houston in 1959 produced two children, including the global star Whitney Houston. The relationship, however, ended in 1990. The family endured further heartaches, including Whitney's widely publicized struggles with addiction, and the untimely death of Cissy's granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, in 2015. Despite these personal challenges, Cissy's memoir, 'Remembering Whitney', encapsulates both the tribulations and the triumphant moments shared with her daughter.
Cissy Houston's passing at 91 leaves behind a legacy that transcends music. She was more than just a celebrated gospel singer—she was a cultural treasure, a matriarch, a beacon for her family, and an inspiration for countless artists across diverse musical landscapes. Her spirit continues through her recordings, her profound impact on gospel and soul music, and through the indomitable musical force that was Whitney Houston. Her enduring influence on artists and her contribution to the music industry remind us of the power of music to connect and inspire.
