Deaths

Cissy Houston, 91

Born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. Mrs. Houston rose from the ranks of the family Gospel group, the Drinkard Singers, to become one of the recording industry’s leading studio vocalists. Her resume includes leading the Sweet Inspirations as well as providing background vocals on recordings by Elvis Presley, Luther Vandross, Burt Bacharach, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick who was her niece. Mrs. Houston was a two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist. She was also a cousin to Leontyne Price. Mrs. Houston also guided her daughter, Whitney H...