Cissy Houston

Cissy Houston (born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933) is a gospel and soul singer. She led a successful career as a backup singer for such artists as

Cissy Houston (born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933) is a gospel and soul singer. She led a successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist. She is the mother of singer and actress Whitney Houston.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Houston was the youngest of eight children of parents Nicholas (aka Nitch) and Delia Drinkard. When Houston was 5 years old her mother, Delia, suffered a stroke and died of cerebral hemorrhage three years later. Her father, Nitch, later died of stomach cancer when Houston was 18.