Cissy Houston’s most memorable moments with famous daughter Whitney – after Grammy-winning singer dies at 91

Cissy Houston, the legendary gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, died on Monday at the age of 91.

As the world mourns her loss, fans reflect on the beautiful and powerful bond she shared with Whitney. who tragically passed away in 2012 due to an accidental drowning.

Their relationship was marked by Cissy’s early mentorship, unforgettable duets on stage and their memorable collaboration in the 1996 film The Preacher’s Wife, which intertwined both personal and public moments.

In 2013, Cissy published a memoir titled Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped, which provided insight into their life together.

Here, we explore some of the most heartwarming and poignant moments that have defined the mother-daughter duo over the years.

Whitney’s TV debut playing Cissy in Merv Griffin

One of their most notable moments came in 1983, when Whitney made her national television debut playing Cissy on The Merv Griffin Show.

They performed a medley of Aretha Franklin hits, an important choice considering Franklin’s close friendship with Cissy and influence on Whitney’s career.

This performance marked the first time many saw Whitney’s vocal talent on a major platform, paving the way for her fame.

Cissy shared a long-lasting friendship with Aretha Franklin, who was not only a close confidante but also a major influence on Cissy’s musical career.

Furthermore, Cissy formed a strong bond with Dionne Warwick, both of whom, along with Aretha, were part of the vibrant music scene of the 1960s and 1970s.

Cissy sings backup on Whitney’s first album

Cissy provided background vocals on Whitney’s debut album, Whitney Houston, released in 1985.

The album was a major commercial success and spawned hit singles such as Saving All My Love for You, which earned Whitney her first Grammy Award.

It topped the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks and was certified diamond, cementing Whitney’s status as a breakout star.

Cissy and Whitney shared the lead roles in 1997’s I Know Him So Well in Whitney.

Cissy stars in Whitney’s The Preacher’s Wife

In 1996, Cissy joined Whitney for the soundtrack to The Preacher’s Wife, which became the best-selling gospel album of all time.

Cissy sang backup on several songs, including the gospel-tinged hit I Go to the Rock, adding to the album’s powerful sound.

The singer also made an appearance in the 1996 film of the same name starring Whitney and Denzel Washington, playing Mrs. Havergal in the church choir.

Whitney starred as Julia Biggs, the wife of a struggling pastor, played by Courtney B. Vance.

Throughout the film, Whitney’s character develops a romantic bond with the angel Dudley, played by Denzel, who comes to help her and her husband.

Whitney hugs Cissy at the end of the Greatest Love of All music video

Cissy made a special appearance in the music video for Whitney’s hit Greatest Love of All, which was released in 1986.

The video features a moving tribute to their relationship, showcasing Whitney’s journey as an artist and the support she received from her mother.

In a heartfelt moment near the end, Whitney joyfully embraces Cissy, who is standing in the wings.

Cissy wrote a memoir in 2013 called Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped.

During an appearance on “The View” that same year, Houston said she wrote the book “to let everyone know that in reality (Whitney Houston) was nothing like they thought she was.”

She continued to say that her daughter was “an amazing, giving and loving child.”

“She did that and she was good to the people and just wonderful. Had her little flaws, but just like everyone else,” she said.

Houston died Monday at her home in New Jersey while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her family said.

Before her daughter became famous, Cissy was best known for her work with the backup group Sweet Inspirations, and her powerful vocals can be heard supporting soul legends like Otis Redding and Lou Rawls.

After going solo, she won her first Grammy in 1997 for her album ‘Face to Face’, before winning her second for best traditional soul gospel album the following year with ‘He Leadeth Me’.

“(She was) an important figure, not because she sold a lot of records, but because of the people she influenced, who did sell a lot, and because of her work as a supporter and nurturer of the gospel music tradition,” said Robert Darden, a journalism professor at Baylor University and author of several books on gospel music, at the New York Times.

“Whitney Houston was trained by the best,” he continued.

“And while she had a once-in-a-lifetime voice, without the training, influence and experience of someone like Cissy, who knew everyone and could sing in any style, she wouldn’t have achieved what she did.”