As the story goes, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham got up off the couch, wrote a song for The Sweets, and cut it themselves while Dowd and the rest of the Atlantic crew went to lunch. 9. Sylvia Shinwell was the sister of Judy Clay of "Private Number" fame. In 1978, the group sang backing vocals on Frankie Valli's No.1 hit "Grease" from the film of the same name. The Sweet Inspirations had evolved from the Gospelaires group. 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. This is Shawn's first time in Tulsa and his birthday weekend so come celebrate with us and don't miss the Ultimate Elvis Experience. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Let It Be Me: The Atlantic Recordings (1967-1970) The Sweet Inspirations. The cover artwork tips a hat to Desolation Boulevard, 1975 and the band's first Headline Tours. She died on December 24, 2010, in Canoga Park, California, after an illness, five months short of her 70th birthday.[1]. And now another former member Estelle Brown has revealed in a new interview how she believes Elvis is still around as an angel. In 1973, Brown, Smith, and Shemwell recorded an album for Stax Records. The group sang backup for many stars, including Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Esther Phillips. 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. The event also stars hometown celebrity, Philadelphia Freedom (Live at the Las Vegas Hilton), Sweets are headed to the UK for unprecedented Fall Tour starts Nov 3rd. So Elvis always made sure he got even. 1 albums ('56-'59). I don't think you can say enough about the importance of these ladies' vocals to the phenomenal 'New York Soul' records that were being produced in and around the city in the early sixties. 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. After years apart, the Sweet Inspirations reformed in 1994 and continued to perform up until recently. Myrna Smith, a member of the group, The Sweet Inspirations, sang back up for rock & roll legend, Elvis Presley. A Gamble & Huff composition, "Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover" appeared on the group's fifth album Sweet Sweet Soul. The Sweet Inspirations: albums, songs, playlists | Listen on Deezer Sign up for Deezer for free and listen to The Sweet Inspirations: discography, top tracks and playlists. Clockwise from top. The Sweet Inspirations had success with R\u0026B, gospel and pop recordings of their own, most notably their first hit single Sweet Inspiration, which gave the group their name in the late sixties and earned them a Grammy nomination. Even after singing and performing in concerts, they allegedly would continue to sing and jam all night. My love and respect for him and his music have kept me focused as a tribute artist for all of these years. The group continued on, however, and recorded their first album in 25 years, 'In'the Right Place', in 2005. You don't have to bring them'. They are, left to right: Cissy Drinkard Houston, Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell and Estelle Brown. Today Rick visits with Estelle Brown of The Sweet Inspirations who were background singers for Elvis Presley The Sweet Inspirations evolved from groups such as the Drinkard Singers, Gospelaires, and Gospel Wonders to become top-tier session and touring background singers and an accomplished recording act in their own right.Widely known for their extensive work behind Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, the group is what also links Top Ten pop hits such as Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural . Its still that way.. It will be a night to remember and a chance to meet these Legends! Her protestations only seemed to increase Presley's determination to embarrass her. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Cissy Houston, The Sweet Inspirations, still active. The Complete Atlantic Singles Plus. He was very thoughtful. Glendale, CA: Glendale House, 1987. According to Elvis.com, Elvis loved the song so much that he contacted the group to have them sing back up for him. The singer said: Have you ever seen the movie Touched By An Angel? The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. Local breaking news delivered as it happens. 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. "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." Theodore Roosevelt. The Sweet Inspirations met him when they arrived for the first rehearsals for the '69 engagement. 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). American singer and songwriter (19412010), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myrna_Smith&oldid=1133798944, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 15:48. They performed at Elvis Presley tribute shows,[2] and released new material in 2005. They also recorded choir backing for The Killers' 2004 recording, Hot Fuss, on songs "Andy, You're a Star" and "All These Things That I've Done". Though their first singles lacked much chart success, Atlantic was committed to the group, and an August session in Memphis yielded the bulk of songs used for the group's self-titled debut album, released in the late fall of 1967. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio. Steve Priest, the bassist and co-founder of glam rock band Sweet, has died at the age of 72. We look forward to seeing $2.99. The Sweet Inspirations were an American R&B girl group founded by Emily Cissy Houston (ne Drinkard), mother of Whitney Houston, and sister of Lee Warwick (herself the mother of well-known sisters Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick). Myrna was still making records with the Sweet Inspirations during her period with Elvis, but with limited commercial success. Weather forecast delivered at 9:00 am daily. The multimedia stage production will take audiences on an astounding musical journey through the life and career of The King of Rock n Roll himself Elvis Presley. Emily's older sister, Lee, served as the manager of the group, which soon got noticed by Mahalia Jackson. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Reply. The Sweet Inspirations 1969:Sylvia Shemwell, Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown. But he was really upset about it. " The original song was made for the new film SCREAM VI, and even comes with a music video. The Inspirations performed at the next night's show in Greensboro, North Carolina, after Elvis apologized, but Kathy Westmoreland did not. Estelle Brown, The Sweet Inspirations, still active. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Matters came to a head during an evening performance in Norfolk. Stay safe. Friday, September 30, 2016 Saturday, October 1, 2016Fri, Sep 30, 2016 Sat, Oct 1, 2016, The El Portal Theatre, North Hollywood, CA. He and the rest of the cast are happy to be back in one of the original homes of this concert tour. Through the use of multimedia film sequences, live stage acting and concert segments featuring back up singers Estelle Brown and Portia Griffin of the legendary "Sweet Inspirations" and Southern California's own tribute band, TCB Flash Band, Back to Live creates an entertainment experience like no other. There was an error processing your request. They Come To Celebrate The King Of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley! iloveoldschoolmusic.com. 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. Myrna Smith is one of the original Sweet Inspirations, the backing group who sang with Elvis in concert from 1969 until the end. Really, really, like it. In March 2010, while on a European tour for Elvis: The Concert, Smith developed pneumonia. The Sweet Inspirations; Keep the Faith. One of the people who loved that song so much was allegedly Elvis himself. Lucy and Nicholas are both dedicated to their work, putting . The group's distinct sound is instantly recognizable and has changed little across 57 years of recordings no matter who was singing. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young. Unbowed, they would sign with Stax (a company where it was still okay to be Black) as a trio in 1973. Tragically, Smith died at the age of 69 on December 24, 2010 from kidney failure. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The Sweet Inspirations were one of the first Gospel groups to have an album released on a major record label, which was a live recording (released in 1959), of their performance at the Newport Jazz Festival. The group started with the superstar in the fall of 1973. In a documentary called, This Time, Smith admitted that Elvis tried to pursue a relationship with her. Featuring Elvis's original backing singers 'The Sweet Inspirations' who toured with Elvis from 1969-1977 and featured in concert movies That's The way It Is, Elvis On Tour and TV special Aloha From Hawaii. The Sweet Inspirations continued to work as sessions singers during this period, appearing on classic cuts by artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin (Chain of Fools), Dusty Springfield (Son of a Preacher Man), Van Morrison (Brown Eyed Girl) and Jimi Hendrix (Burning of the Midnight Lamp). When they brought down the house at the 1957 festival, they were signed to RCA on the spot, and they released the critically acclaimed 'A Joyful Noise' the following year. 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. 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. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. ), which had been written and produced by Barry Gibb and released on RSO records. 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. Nicholas is a Master Baker and Lucy's delectable sugar cookies fired up his tastebuds as well as his lusty desires. I don't know how you can do it all. Today there are many inspiring. Myrna Yvonne Smith (May 28, 1941 December 24, 2010)[1] was an American songwriter and singer. The Sweet inspirations had a hit record on the Pop, Soul and R and B charts in 1969. A link to the news story can be found here. Doctors said he died of a heart attack, likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates. Just listen to Son of a Preacher Man sometimeand you get the idea of how important the Sweet Inspirations were to the Atlantic Sound. Estelle Brown sang with Elvis from 1969 until his untimely passing in 1977. Smith became a high school English teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey in the 1960s, while she also pursued her singing career. We were all touched by the same angel: Elvis Presley. The 'Sweets' worked with Elvis in Vegas, on his national concert tours and on recordings from 1969 to 1977. Gordon Stoker died at 88 at his Brentwood, Tennessee, home on March 27, 2013, after a long illness. Widely known for their extensive work behind Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, the group is also what links Top Ten pop hits by Van Morrison, Dusty Springfield, and Frankie Valli. The Sweet Inspirations recorded by themselves for the first time in April 1967 for Atlantic Records. The group sang backup for many stars, including Aretha Franklin . She was replaced by Myrna Smith. There was one person in particular who had sent the message. By the time she was 8 years old, she was singing in a youth group called C.H. 1 Hot Cake Or French Toast. Elvis demonstrated his desire for racial reconciliation in the musicians he chose, and in the treatment they received. ISBN 0-316-33297-6 (pp. 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. Myrna Smithalso backed Elvis up during his 1976 Graceland recordings, both in February of that year and in the October/November sessions, resulting in two albums. The concert will feature backup singers Estelle Brown and Portia Griffin of the legendary Sweet Inspirations" who backed Elvis on several nationwide tours. In 1969, the group recorded their fourth album, Sweets for my Sweet. Marion Keiske Who Discovered Elvis Presley? It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Estelle Brown in Jacksonville, Florida, born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, who passed away on January 24, 2021, at the age of 80, leaving to mourn family and friends. I don't think they've received nearly enough credit for that. Shemwell died on February 13, 2010. The 3-day Festival is an annual event taking place in the picturesque city of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Browse 172,747 the sweet inspirations stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images.