Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston are two of the most iconic singers in the history of pop and R&B music. They are also first cousins and close family members. Growing up, they spent time together, and Whitney was said to have looked up to Dionne as a mentor and role model. But how did they become part of a musical dynasty that spanned multiple generations and genres? Here is the story of their family’s influence and legacy.
The Drinkard Singers: The pioneers of gospel music
The roots of Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston’s musical talent can be traced back to their maternal grandparents, Nitch and Delia Drinkard. They had eight children, who formed a gospel group called the Drinkard Singers in the 1930s. The Drinkard Singers were pioneers in the gospel music scene, as they were the first gospel group to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival and the first to record on RCA. They also sang at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem and toured across the country. Some of the members of the Drinkard Singers were Lee, Cissy, Anne, and Nicky.
Lee and Cissy: The mothers of Dionne and Whitney
Lee Drinkard was the second oldest of the Drinkard children. She married Mancel Warrick, a Pullman porter and a pianist. They had three children: Delia, Mancel Jr., and Dionne. Dionne Warwick was born in 1940 in East Orange, New Jersey. She started singing in church at the age of six, and later joined her mother’s group, the Gospelaires, along with her sister Delia and her aunt Anne. Dionne Warwick also sang backup for various artists, such as Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke, and the Drifters. In 1962, she released her first single, “Don’t Make Me Over”, which was a hit. Her last name was misspelled as Warwick instead of Warrick on the record label, and she decided to keep it as her stage name. Dionne Warwick went on to have a successful career as a pop and soul singer, with hits such as “Walk On By”, “I Say a Little Prayer”, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose”, and “That’s What Friends Are For”. She also collaborated with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who wrote many of her songs. She won six Grammy Awards and sold over 100 million records worldwide. She was also nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
Cissy Drinkard was the youngest of the Drinkard children. She married John Houston, an Army serviceman and an entertainment executive. They had three children: Gary, Michael, and Whitney. Whitney Houston was born in 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. She inherited her mother’s powerful voice and learned how to sing professionally from her. She also sang in the church choir and performed as a soloist at the age of nine. Whitney Houston began her career as a model and a backup singer for artists such as Chaka Khan, Lou Rawls, and Jermaine Jackson. In 1985, she released her debut album, Whitney Houston, which was a huge success. It topped the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks and produced three number-one singles: “Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know”, and “Greatest Love of All”. Whitney Houston became one of the best-selling and most awarded artists of all time, with hits such as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, “I Will Always Love You”, “I’m Every Woman”, and “My Love Is Your Love”. She won six Grammy Awards and sold over 200 million records worldwide. She also starred in movies such as The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, and The Preacher’s Wife.
The bond between Dionne and Whitney: The little girl I never had
Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston were very close as cousins and friends. They spent time together, especially during holidays and family gatherings. They also supported each other’s careers and performed together on several occasions. Dionne Warwick was a mentor and a role model for Whitney Houston, who admired her cousin’s talent and success. Dionne Warwick once described Whitney Houston as “the little girl I never had”, which showed how much she loved her. They also shared a sense of humor and a playful spirit, as they often joked and teased each other.
Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston were also there for each other during difficult times. They both faced personal and professional challenges, such as drug addiction, divorce, and media scrutiny. They also suffered losses, such as the death of their father and brother, respectively. They comforted and encouraged each other, and prayed for each other. They also celebrated each other’s achievements and milestones, such as birthdays, awards, and comebacks.
Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston’s relationship was built on their mutual love for music and for each other. They were cousins, but they were also like sisters. They were part of a musical dynasty that influenced and inspired generations of singers and fans. They were also part of a family that cherished and honored their legacy. Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston are related by blood, but they are also related by soul.