Cissy Houston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cissy Houston
Houston in 1975
Born	Emily Drinkard (1933-09-30)September 30, 1933 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	October 7, 2024(2024-10-07) (aged 91) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1938–2018
Spouse(s)	Freddie Garland ​ ​ (m. 1955; div. 1964)​ John Houston Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1991)​
Children	3, including Whitney and Gary
Relatives	Bobbi Kristina Brown (granddaughter) Dionne Warwick (niece) Dee Dee Warwick (niece) Leontyne Price (cousin) Damon Elliott (grandnephew)
Musical career
Genres	Soul gospel disco R&B pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	RCA Commonwealth United Private Stock Motown Janus Major Minor Columbia A&M Delta Music Harlem

Cissy Houston (born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933 – died October 7, 2024) was a famous American singer. She was known for her powerful voice in soul and gospel styles. Cissy was a founding member of a group called The Sweet Inspirations. She also sang backup for many well-known artists. These included Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and her niece Dionne Warwick.

Later, Cissy started her own solo career in 1970. She won two Grammy Awards for her gospel music. Cissy Houston was the mother of the famous singer Whitney Houston. She was also the aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. Opera singer Leontyne Price was her cousin. Cissy was also the grandmother of Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.

Early Life and Family

Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933. Her hometown was Newark, New Jersey. She was the youngest of eight children. Her parents were Nitcholas and Delia Mae Drinkard.

The Drinkard family had a lot of farmland in Blakely, Georgia. This was unusual for Black families at that time. Later, her family moved to New Jersey. Her parents wanted their children to get a good education. They also encouraged them to be active in church and to sing.

Cissy's mother died when Cissy was young. Her father passed away when she was 18. After that, Cissy lived with her older sister Lee. Lee's daughters were Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, who also became famous singers. Cissy was raised Methodist Episcopal and found her faith at age 14. She attended South Side High School.

Singing Career

Cissy Houston's singing career began when she was just five years old.

The Drinkard Singers

In 1938, Cissy joined her siblings in a gospel group. It was first called the Drinkard Four. Later, with more family members, it became The Drinkard Singers. Cissy made her TV debut with this group. They often performed at New Hope Baptist Church (Newark).

The Drinkard Singers recorded a live album for RCA. It was called A Joyful Noise. This made them one of the first gospel groups to release an album on a major record label. They also performed at famous places like Carnegie Hall.

The Sweet Inspirations

In 1963, Cissy formed a new group called The Sweet Inspirations. Her niece Dee Dee Warwick was also in this group. They became very popular as backup singers. They sang for many famous artists in the 1960s. These included Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Dusty Springfield. They also sang on Van Morrison's song "Brown Eyed Girl".

In 1969, The Sweet Inspirations sang backup for Elvis Presley in Las Vegas. Elvis often praised them during his shows. This was Cissy's last time performing with the group. She decided to stop touring to focus on her family and recording her own music.

Solo Career

Cissy Houston started her solo career in 1963. Her first solo record was "This Is My Vow." In 1969, she signed with Commonwealth United Records. She released her first solo album, Presenting Cissy Houston, in 1970. It included popular songs like "I'll Be There".

In 1972, Cissy recorded the original version of "Midnight Train to Georgia". This song later became a huge hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips. In 1977, she signed with Private Stock Records. She had a big disco hit called "Think It Over" in 1979. Cissy also won an award at the World Popular Song Festival in 1979.

Session Musician Work

Cissy Houston was a very sought-after session musician. This means she sang backup for many different artists. Her voice could fit many music styles. She sang on Paul Simon's song "Mother and Child Reunion" in 1972.

She also sang backup for Bette Midler and Linda Ronstadt. In 1971, she was featured on three songs for Burt Bacharach's album. Cissy also worked with jazz flutist Herbie Mann. She often performed at clubs in New York City. Her daughter, Whitney Houston, sometimes sang solos with Cissy's band.

Gospel Soloist and Duets

Cissy Houston won two Grammy Awards for her gospel albums. She won for Face to Face in 1996. This album included a gospel version of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)". She won her second Grammy in 1998 for He Leadeth Me.

In 1987, Cissy and her daughter Whitney recorded a duet. It was a cover of "I Know Him So Well". In 2006, Cissy recorded "Family First" with her niece Dionne Warwick and daughter Whitney. This song was for the movie Daddy's Little Girls. In 2012, Cissy sang "Bridge over Troubled Water" at a tribute for her daughter Whitney.

New Hope Baptist Church Choir

For over 50 years, Cissy Houston was the Minister of Music at New Hope Baptist Church (Newark). She was also a big part of McDonald's Gospelfest. She performed there regularly.

Personal Life

In 1955, Cissy Houston married Freddie Garland. They had a son named Gary Garland in 1957. Gary later became an NBA basketball player.

In 1958, Cissy met John Russell Houston Jr. They had two children: Michael (born 1961) and Whitney (born 1963). Whitney became a world-famous singer. Cissy and John married in 1964. John Houston Jr. was a veteran of World War II. He managed The Sweet Inspirations for a time. Cissy Houston had six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Cissy Houston passed away at her home in Newark on October 7, 2024. She was 91 years old.

Discography

With the Drinkard Singers

With the Sweet Inspirations

See Sweet Inspirations Discography

Solo Albums

Compilations

Collaborations

Soundtracks

Backing Vocals

Musical Arrangements

Musical Compositions

Film and Television

Cissy Houston also appeared in some films and TV shows.

Film

• 1978: The Wiz (uncredited voice) – The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
• 1984: Taking My Turn (TV movie)
• 1994: The Vernon Johns Story (TV movie) as Rose
• 1996: The Preacher's Wife as Mrs. Havergal
• 2018: God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness
• 2018: Whitney

Television

• 1970: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (3 episodes)
• 1979: Gangsters (herself)
• 1985: Late Night with David Letterman; August 28 episode
• 1986: Ebony/Jet Showcase; October 10 episode
• 1987: The 1st Annual Soul Train Music Awards
• 1988: The 15th Annual American Music Awards
• 1988: Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
• 1991: Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston
• 1992: Whitney Houston: This Is My Life
• 1997: Classic Whitney: Live from Washington, D.C.
• 1998: Late Show with David Letterman December 23 episode
• 2001: BET Awards
• 2004: Intimate Portrait Dionne Warwick episode
• 2008: This Time (herself)
• 2012: BET Awards
• 2013: Oprah Prime (Season 2; Episode 50)
• 2013: The Houstons: On Our Own

Images for kids

• 

  Cissy Houston in 1996

See also

In Spanish: Cissy Houston para niños