Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard in Newark, NJ, on January 1, 1933. She is a gospel/soul singer who is primarily known for being Whitney Houston’s mother rather than for her own considerable talents. Her career began as a member of her family’s gospel group, the Drinkards. In the early ‘60s, she joined forces with a floating group of singers known simply as the Group to provide backup vocals on numerous soul, pop and rock sessions. In 1967, the Group signed with Atlantic Records and was renamed the Sweet Inspirations. The Sweet Inspirations recorded some excellent gospel-flavored soul in the late ‘60s, managing a few hits before Cissy Houston left to go solo at the end of 1969. During the ‘70s, Cissy recorded several singles. She received the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for Face to Face and won the award again in 1998 for her album He Leadeth Me.

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