Houston, Cissy (1933–)

views updated

Houston, Cissy (1933–)

African-American gospel singer. Name variations: Emily Houston. Born Emily Drinkard, Sept 30, 1933, in Newark, NJ; dau. of Nitch and Delia Drinkard; sister of Anne, Nicky and Larry Drinkard of the Drinkard Singers; aunt of Dionne Warwick (singer); married, c. 1953 (div. c. 1955); m. John Houston, 1959 (sep.1980, div. 1993); children: Gary, Michael, and Whitney Houston (singer).

Sang 1st with family's gospel group, the Drinkards; formed the Gospelaires trio with Dee and Dionne Warwick; was a member of 1960s soul group the Sweet Inspirations, which scored a few pop hits and sang backup for Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond and Dusty Springfield; released solo album Cissy Houston and was 1st to record"Midnight Train to Georgia" (1971); sang back up for Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross and others (1980s); hosted weekly radio show from Newark's New Hope Baptist Church (1980s); performed NY club dates with daughter (1980s); won Grammys for Gospel albums Face to Face (1996) and He Leadeth Me (1997).

See also autobiography, How Sweet the Sound: My Life with God and Gospel (1998).

About this article

Houston, Cissy (1933–)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

NEARBY TERMS

Houston, Cissy (1933–)