Cissy Houston Back Up Singer For Elvis and Jimi Hendrix Passed Away

Cissy Houston, the legendary singer and mother of Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. She died on Monday at her home in New Jersey, surrounded by family while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Known for her powerful voice and rich musical legacy, Houston’s impact on the music industry spanned more than seven decades.

Born Emily Drinkard on Sept. 30, 1933, in Newark, she began her musical journey at a young age, joining her siblings in a gospel group called the Drinkard Four in 1938. But it wasn’t until the mid-1960s that her career really took off. In 1963, the same year she gave birth to her daughter Whitney, she formed the R&B vocal group, The Sweet Inspirations. The group became a key fixture in the music scene, backing iconic artists like Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Jimi Hendrix.

Iconic Performances and Hits

Cissy and The Sweet Inspirations played a huge role in some of the most famous recordings of the time. They lent their voices to Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and many others. Houston’s powerful vocals can be heard on Van Morrison’s hit “Brown Eyed Girl” and Aretha Franklin’s soulful anthem, “Ain’t No Way.” The Sweet Inspirations also added their touch to the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s track “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” in 1967.

Perhaps most notably, The Sweet Inspirations became Elvis Presley’s backing group in 1969 when he returned to the stage in Las Vegas. They supported him through many of his comeback performances until 1970. After this, Houston stepped away from the group to focus on her family and pursue a solo career.

Although her solo career didn’t produce major chart-toppers, Houston did find success with her cover of “Be My Baby,” which made it to No. 92. She also continued to work as a backing singer for stars like Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, and David Bowie.

Life of Faith and Family

In the later years of her career, Cissy returned to her gospel roots, earning a Grammy Award for one of her religious albums. She also wrote books about faith and her life experiences. Houston remained a pillar of strength for her family, with her daughter-in-law Pat Houston expressing their deep loss:

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness.”We lost the matriarch of our family. Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”