The line-up included Judy Guions (who later became Judy Clay), Marie Epps, Larry Drinkard, Nicholas Drinkard, Ann Moss, Lee and Emily. Meanwhile, The Kings ex-wife Priscilla has spoken of how she senses his spirit at Graceland. Another famous piece . Just listen to Son of a Preacher Man sometimeand you get the idea of how important the Sweet Inspirations were to the Atlantic Sound. The original line-up comprised of group leader Emily "Cissy" Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown. You have permission to edit this article. Sweet Inspirations is open daily at Zero India Street. Emily and Lee were members of The Drinkard Singers, a family group that had the distinction of recording the first Gospel album to appear on a major label: A live recording from The Newport Jazz Festival in 1959. The track hit number five on the R&B chart and was a top 20 pop hit. And there were times Smith provided backing vocals alone, minus her group. Kathy Westmoreland, backing vocalist, still active. Kathy explained: I dated him for about six months on a regular basis it was fun. Later they began traveling around the area and singing at various venues. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1999. [2] That session produced the first two singles released by Atlantic, a version of "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)," a song previously recorded by The Staple Singers and a soulful version of "Let It Be Me", a French song which had been a pop and R&B hit for Betty Everett & Jerry Butler in 1964. If you don't believe it'll work out, you'll see obstacles." Wayne Dyer. He was very thoughtful. Myrna Yvonne Smith (May 28, 1941 December 24, 2010)[1] was an American songwriter and singer. The original line-up comprised of group leader Emily "Cissy" Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown. Myrna Smith is one of the original Sweet Inspirations, the backing group who sang with Elvis in concert from 1969 until the end. Smith later married Jerry Schilling, a friend and associate of Elvis who subsequently also managed the Beach Boys at one point. All members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young formed in 1968 are still alive Formed in 1967 by five Charterhouse pupils including Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Peter Gabriel and Anthony Phillips and later joined by Phil Collins, all the members of Genesis are still alive, as is original drummer and fifth founding member Chris Stewart. Myrna Smith, The Sweet Inspirations, died in 2010. . 308. We look forward to seeing Rank. It was clear that Elvis loved his background vocalists. A Gamble & Huff composition, "Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover" appeared on the group's fifth album Sweet Sweet Soul. Success! They would also overdub their unbelievable background vocals in New York that summer when Atlantic brought back the tapes that they had recorded with Dusty Springfield at American in Memphis. Dozens of tribute artists grace the outdoor stages, which are set around the picturesque Okanagan Lake, along with special guests Friends Of Elvis. Shemwell suffered a stroke in 2001 that has kept her from performing with the group. Even after singing and performing in concerts, they allegedly would continue to sing and jam all night. Just prior to that, Cissy had sung with the rest of her group (which now included Estelle Brown) on 'King Curtis Plays The Great Memphis Hits'. The Sweet Inspirations recorded by themselves for the first time in April 1967 for Atlantic Records. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The follow-up, Let It Be Me, which had been recorded at those same New York sessions, did even better, just missing the R&B top ten. Also included from that set are "Thats The Way My Baby Is", and "Flash In The Pan". Judy joined the group, along with Ann Moss and Marie Epps, and their appearances at the Newport Jazz Festival introduced them to a wider audience. Smith even married Schilling briefly from 1982-1987. Smith became a high school English teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey in the 1960s, while she also pursued her singing career. The Sweet Inspirations are an American R&B girl group mostly known for their work as backup singers on studio recordings for other R&B and rock artists. 568-573). New York, New York, United States. Dee Dee left in 1965, when her solo career began to take off. 9. This original backup group that was so in demand among producers, publishers, artists, and songwriters in the early '60s included Myrna's cousins Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, Doris Troy and Judy Guions (later Judy Clay). The singer said: Have you ever seen the movie Touched By An Angel? Neal Matthews died on April 21, 2000. Shortly after cutting the gospel set, the Sweet Inspirations were back in Atlantic's studios to record their third album, What the World Needs Now is Love,[2] recorded in February 1968 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Presley's on-stage behavior became increasingly bizarre, and, on the final night of the tour, he took requests, threw his guitar into the crowd, and gave away a $6,500 ring to an audience member. The 'Sweets' worked with Elvis in Vegas, on his national concert tours and on recordings from 1969 to 1977. Sylvia Shemwell, The Sweet Inspirations, died in 2010. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com, Elvis Presley's backup singers walked out on a concert after he remarked that their breath "smelled like catfish. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Elvis in Person at the International Hotel, "Elvis Presley Estelle Brown Sweet Inspirations Backup Singer Interview The Spa Guy", "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2010 July to December", "Peter Gabriel Receives Top Honor at BMI London Awards", "The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland", "Myrna Smith - Interview - Elvis Information Network", From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis, Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances, Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II, Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters, Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters, Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings, The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Sweet_Inspirations&oldid=1141321166, Articles needing additional references from December 2010, All articles needing additional references, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Articles containing potentially dated statements from March 2011, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Sylvia Shemwell mezzo-soprano/2nd soprano (1966?1979, 19942001; died 2010), Estelle Brown contralto/2nd alto (19651979, 1994present), Ann Williams soprano/1st soprano (19691970), Kelly Jones mezzo soprano/soprano (2010present), This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 13:22. [2] As it is reported, Johns, one of the most famous artists and painters who are alive today, holds the title for the creator of the most expensive painting by a living artist. Nicholas is a Master Baker and Lucy's delectable sugar cookies fired up his tastebuds as well as his lusty desires. Its a wonderful weekend of remembering Elvis through his extensive musical library, and touching stories from those who knew him about how he touched their lives. 2021 will soon be with us and hopefully have Sweet performing at a Venue near you. He could have chosen anybody to sing with him, but he chose The Sweet Inspirations. "If you believe it'll work out, you'll see opportunities. Elvis dear friend, Jerry Schilling, loved Smith too. The quartet began in 1964 when Martin Cook, a teacher at Swain County High School, invited several young men to his home for evenings of singing. $8.99. She later became the lead singer of The Sweet Inspirations, and in 1969, Myrna began her eight-year association with Elvis Presley when the 'Sweet Inspirations' were chosen as his opening act and backing singers for his engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Latest Audio (and video) updates:Video courtesy of Elvis Presley MP3 Audio Central. Elvis Presley and Racism: The Ultimate, Definitive Guide, 1967 : Sweet Inspirations : Atlantic 1968 : Songs of Faith & Inspiration : Atlantic 1969 : Sweets for my Sweet : Atlantic 1969 : What the World Needs Now is Love : Atlantic 1970 : Sweet Sweet Soul : Atlantic 1973 : The Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia : Stax 1979 : Hot Butterfly : RSO, #12 : The Sweet Inspirations :Black albums : 1968 #90 The Sweet Inspirations : Pop albums :1968, #13 : Let It Be Me : R&B|Black singles : 1967 #94 : Let It Be Me Pop singles : 1967 #36 : Why (Am I Treated so Bad) : Black singles : 1967 #57 : Why (Am I Treated so Bad) : Pop singles : 1967 #5 : Sweet Inspiration : Black singles : 1968 #18 : Sweet Inspiration : Pop singles : 1968 #30 : To Love Somebody : Black singles : 1968 #74 : To Love Somebody : Pop singles : 1968 #41 : Unchained Melody : Black singles : 1968 #73 : Unchained Melody : Pop singles 1968 #42 Crying in the Rain Black singles : 1969 #25 : A Brand New Lover : Black singles : 1970 #44 : Evidence : Black singles : 1971 #26 : Love is on the Way : Club Play singles : 1979 #34 : Celebration : Hot Dance music/Club Play : 2005, Interview with Myrna Smith Cissy Houston Remembers Elvis Presley. Elvis responded with, 'Well if they don't come, I don't come'. The Inspirations announced a monumental change in their group, as founder/pianist/group co-owner Martin Cook resigned all of his roles last Wednesday. This original backup group that was so in demand among producers, publishers, artists, and songwriters in the early '60s included Myrna's cousins, With both Doris and Dionne enjoying solo careers with hits (. From suffragist Susan B. Anthony to civil rights activist Rosa Parks, they helped to shape the lives of not only the women who came after them but the world at large. $2.99. The Sweet Inspirations were hired by Elvis Presley in 1969 without an audition, due to Elvis being very familiar with The Sweet Inspirations. In 1979, after Estelle Brown left the group, they were asked by The Bee Gees to go on tour with them and signed by Robert Stigwood to RSO. Emily's older sister, Lee, served as the manager of the group, which soon got noticed by Mahalia Jackson. Matters came to a head during an evening performance in Norfolk. Elvis Presley and Racism : The Ultimate, Definitive Guide, Interview with Larry Muhoberac Interview with John Wilkinson Interview with Michael Jarrett, songwriter, I'm Leavin' Interview with James Burton Interview with James Burton Sydney Australia 2006 James Burton : First Call For The Royalty Of Rockabilly Interview with Ronnie Tutt Interview with Ronnie Tutt #2 Interview with Jerry Scheff Interview with Glen D. Hardin Interview with Sherrill Nielsen Interview with Terry Blackwood & Jim Murray Interview with Tony Brown Duke Bardwell Interview with Scotty Moore Bill Black Interview with D.J. Aside of Sweet Inspirations, Smith sang back up for Elvis in his Graceland recordings as well. And I believe Elvis was, or is, an angel and he touched people all over the world., DON'T MISSElvis Presley pilot CAUGHT sleeping in his bed: Guess King's reaction[INTERVIEW]Elvis Presley's WALKOUT after awkward meeting with Brian Wilson[INTERVIEW]Elvis: It was INTENSE The King watching 1968 special with Priscilla[INTERVIEW]. Shawn Klush returns to Scranton, PA with The Sweet Inspirations! ELVIS PRESLEY told girlfriend and backing singer of seven years, Kathy Westmoreland, that he knew he would die soon. One more single that didn't do much would follow in 1974 and, when Stax went under the following year, they took their contract with them.Through this, they were still performing with Elvis. This entire property is amazing! Shrimp And Mushroom. chocolates shopping sweet inspirations. Elvis demonstrated his desire for racial reconciliation in the musicians he chose, and in the treatment they received. They dated for a while but remained close after it ended and Elvis continued to ask her to share his bed as friends for comfort. Estelle Brown Obituary. This place is the perfect spot to grab something delicious to satisfy your morning sweet tooth.