Bobby Brown has led tributes to Cissy Houston, the mother of the late Whitney Houston, following her death aged 91. The gospel singer, who won two Grammys and performed opposite stars including Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, died on Monday morning in her home in New Jersey. Cissy was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease and died surrounded by her family. US music star Brown and his wife Alicia Etheredge-Brown expressed their condolences, saying, “Sending love and blessings to the Houston family on this great loss. May she rest in peace and power.”
Brown and Whitney were married from 1992 to 2007, before her death aged 48 in 2012. She accidentally drowned in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly Hills before a coroner listed her drug use as a contributing factor to her death. The death of Cissy comes a day after Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Whitney during the 50th anniversary of the American Music Awards (AMAs).
Cissy Houston had a remarkable seven-decade career, starring in the group The Sweet Inspirations, singing backing vocals for soul stars like Otis Redding and Dionne Warwick. She collaborated with legends such as Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, and Jimi Hendrix. Khan described Cissy as a “true legend” in a tribute on Instagram, acknowledging her influence on their shared industry.
Cissy also had success as a solo artist, winning Grammy awards for her albums in the best traditional soul gospel album category. She penned three books detailing her life and career. Cissy’s daughter-in-law Pat Houston confirmed her passing, stating, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.”
Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts. The music industry mourns the loss of a true legend whose voice touched countless hearts through generations.
—
By Sion Morgan and Ellie Iorizzo
Sources: Wales Online, Instagram, The Associated Press