A two-time Grammy Award winner, Houston, who provided backup vocals for music legends such as Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, died on Monday, 7th October 2024 at her home in New Jersey.
She was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, confirmed to The Associated Press. The celebrated gospel singer was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing.
“Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. We’ve lost the matriarch of our family,” said Pat Houston in a statement, describing Cissy Houston’s contributions to music and culture as unparalleled.Mother Cissy was a pillar of strength and faith, devoted to family, ministry, and community. Her remarkable career in music, spanning more than seven decades, will forever be cherished.
Cissy Houston’s daughter in law, Pat Houston”
Houston began her musical journey in church and became a prominent figure in popular music during the 1960s as a member of the influential backing group ‘The Sweet Inspirations’, alongside Doris Troy and her niece, Dee Dee Warwick. The group provided backup for many iconic artists, including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, The Drifters, and Dionne Warwick.
Some of Houston’s most notable contributions include her work on Franklin’s “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” and Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.” The Sweet Inspirations also performed with Elvis Presley, who fondly recalled singing gospel with Houston during rehearsal breaks, affectionately calling her “squirrelly.”
The group’s success extended to their own top 20 hit, “Sweet Inspiration,” recorded in the Memphis studio where many soul greats, including Franklin and Springfield, produced hits.
They also sang on Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and provided backing vocals for The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” in 1967.
Houston’s last performance with :The Sweet Inspirations’ was in 1969, after a Las Vegas show with Presley. Their final recording session produced the R&B hit “(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover,” written by the Gamble & Huff production team, which featured on their fifth album, Sweet Sweet Soul.
After this period of success, Houston left The Sweet Inspirations to pursue a solo career, where she thrived as an in-demand session singer, recording more than 600 songs across various genres throughout her illustrious career.
