Cissy Houston, born Emily Drinkard is a well-known American gospel and soul singer. She left an indelible mark in the industry with her strong and emotional voice.
Although she started off her career as a backup vocalist for famous artists like Dionne Warwick, Roy Hamilton, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Presley, she pursued a solo career and even won two Grammy Awards for her music.
Cissy Houston is also the mother of the legendary actress and singer Whitney Houston. Cissy’s career lasted over 50 years, making her one of the most respected figures in American music. If you are a fan who is interested to learn about her career journey, we have got the details sorted.
Early Life
Cissy Houston was born on 30th September 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, into a religious family. She was the youngest of eight children in the Drinkard family and her parents were Delia Mae Drinkard and Nitcholas Drinkard.
After living in Georgia for years, the family moved to Newark, New Jersey, where Cissy was born. She was raised Methodist Episcopal and completed her schooling from South Side High School. From a young age, her father encouraged her and her siblings to sing.
When Cissy was eight years old, her mother passed away due to a cerebral hemorrhage. At the age of 18, she lost her father to stomach cancer. Following her father’s demise, Cissy moved to her older sister Lee’s house, where she lived with her and her husband.
Career
Cissy Houston’s professional career in music began in the 1950s when she became a member of The Drinkard Singers, which was composed of her siblings and extended family members. The group achieved moderate success and performed in gospel concerts. They even recorded an album, A Joyful Noise, which was released in 1959.
In the 1960s, Cissy shifted her attention to secular music and became a background vocalist. She joined a group called The Sweet Inspirations, which became famous for their backup vocals on numerous hit records. The group toured with Presley as his backing singer for several years and contributed to some of his hit recordings. Cissy also worked as a background vocalist for artists like Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett.
Later, she pursued her solo career and released her debut solo album, Presenting Cissy Houston in 1970. She went on to win two Grammy Awards for her albums Face to Face and He Leadeth Me.
Personal Life
Cissy Houston’s first husband was Freddie Garland. They married in the 1950s and had a son, Gary Garland. However, their marriage ended in divorce.
In 1959, Cissy married John Russell Houston, a prominent entertainment executive. With him, she had children Whitney Houston and Michael Houston.
Net Worth
Cissy Houston’s net worth is estimated to be around $6 million. She may not be as successful as her daughter, Whitney Houston, but she built a successful career in music through her solo work, background vocals, and gospel performances. Her main source of income comes from music sales, live performances, and album sales.
