(21 and over only) Phone: (888) 226-7711 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Local breaking news delivered as it happens. Reply. According to the documentary This Time, The Sweet Inspirations were hoping to resurrect their fortunes with the help of producer Peitor Angell, however, their fame would never be the same without the original King being alive and well. And now another former member Estelle Brown has revealed in a new interview how she believes Elvis is still around as an angel. Aside from them working together, Smith had a boyfriend, Gregory, that was apart of the band as well. No wonder that he used to have them open his concerts. She became a high school English teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey in the 1960s, while she also pursued her singing career. Neal Matthews died on April 21, 2000. 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. Welcome to the Official website of The Sweet Inspirations! In the video, Smith shared that she and Elvis were often flirty with each other, however, they worked together. However, that didnt stop the King from showing Smith love and affection. Kathy Westmoreland, backing vocalist, still active. Elvis FAQ: Elvis' Backup Singers Really, really, like it. Finding . The singer said: Have you ever seen the movie Touched By An Angel? History. I am still missing a few and would be interested in buying some of them once you get organized. When Elvis glowered at the remaining singers and said, "Sorry for any embarrassment I might have caused, but if you can't take it, get off the pot," another Inspiration, Sylvia Shemwell, walked out, followed by Westmoreland. The group sang backup for many stars, including Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Esther Phillips. Berns would go on to use them on just about every record he cut from then on, most notably on the subsequent string of hits he produced on Solomon Burke for Atlantic. Kathy Westmoreland, backing vocalist, still active. The Sweet Inspirations was founded by former members of The Drinkard Singers, a long-running Gospel singing group whose membership included Cissy Houston (ne Drinkard), mother of Whitney Houston, and Lee Warwick, who was Cissy's sister and the mother of Sweet Inspirations members Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick.. As a backup group, the Sweet Inspirations was in high demand among . Two more singles released from the LP failed to chart, however, and Cissy Houston left the group shortly after that. By the way, I'm writing this with the album playing away. Rick Rowe's Where in the ArkLaTex: Estelle Brown of The Sweet Inspirations Cissy Houston, The Sweet Inspirations, still active. However, it might surprise you that Presley loved black women as he was a rumored racist. The 'Sweets' worked with Elvis in Vegas, on his national concert tours and on recordings from 1969 to 1977. Elvis, emboldened by his own American Studio recordings that had put him back in the top ten in 1969, Elvis decided to return to performing in public. 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. The Inspirations | Tickets Concerts and Tours 2023 2024 - Wegow They Come To Celebrate The King Of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley! Marion Keiske Who Discovered Elvis Presley? 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). So Westmoreland, 42, will spend the weekend in Las Vegas, where she first met Elvis in 1970 and where her sister is a backup singer for Wayne Newton. By mutual agreement, the girls broke up later that year. The Inspirations are a professional Southern Gospel quartet from Bryson City, NC. 'I don't know if the road was really for me', she says. The Sweet Inspirations is known for Deadpool (2016), Something Borrowed (2011) and Sandy Wexler (2017). _taboola.push({ So Elvis always made sure he got even. TVs great but Shawn is happy to be back doing what he loves and that is keeping the memory alive. Matters came to a head during an evening performance in Norfolk. Sweet Inspiration by The Sweet Inspirations - Songfacts 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. 'Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia' The perfect Sweet Inspirations playlist 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". Elvis Gold Piano Elvis Piano at Graceland. 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. Ed Enoch, The Stamps Quartet, still active. Sweet Memories - Sweet Inspirations - Yesterdays Island, Todays Nantucket 4/14/2020. 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. shrimp, mushrooms, red onions, parmesan and feta cheese. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Presley reportedly called the ladies his church sisters. The Sweet Inspirations also began recording and touring with Elvis Presley as both background singers and his warm-up act,[2] as well as doing occasional live dates with Aretha Franklin. But he was really upset about it. Sylvia Shemwell died February 13, 2010. Myrna Smith died December 24, 2010. [7] They also backed Dusty Springfield on her album Dusty in Memphis.[3]. Justly acknowledged as the groundbreaking, chart-topping tour de force it is, it's hard to imagine what this legendary Bert Berns and Jerry Ragavoy production would sound like without the girls from Newark. His ongoing misuse of an astonishing variety and volume of prescriptiondrugs turned his concert appearances into parodies staged by a sloppy, bloated performer who slurred lyrics rather than singing them, changed his character, caused him to act in an increasingly incomprehensible and erratic manner, and destroyed his health (ultimately killing him). 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. Cissy Houston left in 1969 to pursue her own solo career but the Sweet Inspirations remained loyal to the king of rock & roll. Smith even married Schilling briefly from 1982-1987. When did Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley start singing together? Emily Drinkard, 30th September 1933, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.) (above) The song also caught Elvis Presley's attention. The group continued on, however, and recorded their first album in 25 years, 'In'the Right Place', in 2005. The Inspirations announced a monumental change in their group, as founder/pianist/group co-owner Martin Cook resigned all of his roles last Wednesday. "We've been on Elvis' last six albums and done almost 400 shows with him," explains Sumner. The Sweet Inspirations (1969 - 1977) Emily (Cissy) Houston; Myrna Smith; Estelle Brown Sylvia Shemwell In the mid-to-late-Sixties, these ladies could be heard backing up Aretha Franklin, Gene Pitney and Wilson Pickett, among others, but they didn't have a name until singer Chuck Jackson suggested they call themselves The Inspirations. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. If you don't believe it'll work out, you'll see obstacles." Wayne Dyer. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young. Demi Lovato Is Back and Better Than Ever With ' Still Alive ' If you ' re a fan of the iconic Scream movies, you need to give a listen to Demi Lovato ' s new song " Still Alive. According to Elvis.com, Elvis loved the song so much that he contacted the group to have them sing back up for him. The Sweet Inspirations: albums, songs, playlists | Listen on Deezer The track hit number five on the R&B chart and was a top 20 pop hit. Glendale, CA: Glendale House, 1987. Rare Original '67 The SWEET INSPIRATIONS Atlantic Records Premiere Self Titled Stereo Vintage U.S Vinyl Press Lp Near MINT Sixties Funk Soul IsWhatIGot (1,123) $24.00 FREE shipping sweet sixteen svg / sweet 16 svg / sixteen svg / digital download CaffeinatedArtStudio (3,451) $1.30 $1.45 (10% off) Both Troy and Dionne Warwick enjoyed solo careers with hits in 1963, "Just One Look" and "Don't Make Me Over" respectively, on which the Sweet Inspirations can be heard. 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 . Sweet Inspirations on tour now throughout the UK! 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]. The group who sung with The King, including his Las Vegas residencies, featured Whitney. REDISCOVER The '60s: Soul Love. I could SWAP places with a doppelgnger, Brian May on Queens influences: The Beatles 'built our bible', Rolling Stones: Brian Jones would call Bob Dylan EVERY day, Elvis Presley had 'HUGE heart, Graceland like living at Disneyland', Elvis Presley's WALKOUT after awkward meeting with Brian Wilson, Elvis: It was INTENSE The King watching 1968 special with Priscilla, Elvis: Colonel Parker's telegram Ive NEVER shared this Priscilla, Elvis Presley's HILARIOUS response to Graceland street named after him, Elvis didn't want to be old on stage, hed be BLOWN AWAY by legacy'. I don't think they've received nearly enough credit for that. 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. Presumably, Elvis' decision to have The Sweet Inspirations join him as part of his band must have been based partly on the strength of this album. Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound. Elvis Musicians Musicians who worked with Elvis Presley If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The Sweet Inspirations was an R&B gospel group comprised of four members: Cissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston, Sylvia Shernwell, Myrna Smith, and Estelle Brown. An all female American soul quartet, these ladies were some of the most prolific backing vocalists in 60's R&B, literally singing on dozens of hit records for other artists. The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Elvis demonstrated his desire for racial reconciliation in the musicians he chose, and in the treatment they received. 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 (. Error! The "King" recorded and toured with the all-male Stampsas well as the female vocal group Sweet Inspirationsfor the remainder of his . Popular music icon Elvis Presley dies in Memphis, Tennessee. The Sweet Inspirations. 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. Aretha, The Sweet Inspirations and more! - by Tim Dillinger - Substack Estelle Brown, The Sweet Inspirations, still active. Sweet Inspiration (1967) was covered in Sweet Inspiration by Diana Ross, The Supremes and The Temptations (1968) I Need Your Sweet Inspiration by The Pioneers (1970) Sweet Inspiration by King Curtis (1968) see 4 more connections. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio. This isnt too surprising, as their have been rumors that Elvis was very fond of the ladies. 'The Sweet Inspirations', four girls from New York, are in Britain to promote their latest recording hit, What the World Needs Now. Related Playlists. Myrna Smith is one of the original Sweet Inspirations, the backing group who sang with Elvis in concert from 1969 until the end. Because of Smiths memories, we learned two things about the King of Rock and Roll: he loved black women and he was possibly not racist. http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/02004E599D9C46E7?brand=scrantoncc&camefrom=CFC_SCC_SCCCAL_ShawnKlush05152015. The Sweet Inspirations While they were successful in their own right as a group with many hit recordings, the one song that stood out the song was their song, Sweet Inspiration. Back in the 60s, that song had many people bopping their heads and tapping their feet. 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. The Inspirations - Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Originally from Savannah, Georgia, the Drinkards moved to New Jersey in the early fifties. In 1973, Brown, Smith, and Shemwell recorded an album for Stax Records. 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. They performed at Elvis Presley tribute shows,[2] and released new material in 2005. We thought it didnt fit. Luke Combs recently took to social media to share a moving tribute to his paternal and maternal grandfathers. Myrna Yvonne Smith (May 28, 1941 December 24, 2010)[1] was an American songwriter and singer. How many of the original 1970's members of the English rock - Quora The Sweet Inspirations met him when they arrived for the first rehearsals for the '69 engagement. Estelle Brown Obituary. Hugh Jarrett died at 78 on May 31, 2008, from injuries sustained in an auto accident in March. Movies. A conversation about Aretha can only lead to discussion of The Sweet Inspirations. "The hard days are what make you stronger." Aly Raisman. Elvis loved gospel and soul music. Web and phone order services : 508-228-5814 Nantucketchocolatier.com. And then from how we were raised church-wise, that was the devils music. She led a successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist. The King is coming. Presley's behavior during a July 1975 performance in Norfolk, Virginia, was one of the low points in his long decline from superb entertainer to drug-sodden corpse. But then when we went to rehearsal with him for the first time, it was just like a marriage. When Elvis heard that sound he just had to have them sing with him. At any rate, I supposed my husband dead, and felt rather anxious to know what he might think of me while still alive. Even after singing and performing in concerts, they allegedly would continue to sing and jam all night. Estelle Brown, The Sweet Inspirations, still active. 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. The Sweet Inspirations were one of the premier female harmony groups of the 1960s, supporting Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, and Wilson Pickett. The Gospelaires began appearing publicly with The Drinkard Singers, and their talents were soon recognized by the local record companies, who began using the girls as background vocalists on sessions, the first being the Burt Bacharach penned Mexican Divorce with 'The Drifters' in 1961. Female vocal group, formed 1967 in New York, New York. 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. As a backup group, the Sweet Inspirations was in high demand among producers, publishers, artists, and songwriters in the early 1960s. Success! Deep down inside, he knew the deal. The Sweet Inspirations - Apple Music As stated above, the song Sweet Inspiration caught Elvis' attention, however it was the group, The Blossoms, who backed Elvis onhis '68 Comeback Special that was first choice forhis 1969 return to the stage in Las Vegas. The Sweet Inspirations on Apple Music It was clear that Elvis loved his background vocalists. Friday, September 2, 2016Fri, Sep 2, 2016, Friday, August 26, 2016 Saturday, August 27, 2016Fri, Aug 26, 2016 Sat, Aug 27, 2016, NYCB Theater at Westbury, NY, Westbury, NY, Back by Overwhelming Popular Demand, The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular returns to one of our favorite venues for 1 night only. However, she added: Ive learned better than that but we just didnt think it would work. Featuring a live band, orchestra and support from the incredible Ben Thompson performing the early years of the King. Myrna was still making records with the Sweet Inspirations during her period with Elvis, but with limited commercial success. [2] When she joined, the lead singer of the Sweet Inspirations was Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston and dynamic soprano featured on Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way". 15 Most Famous Artists and Painters Who are Alive Today click here for contact information. 8. 16 Most Inspiring Women Alive Today | Reader's Digest Cissy Houston, The Original Sweet Inspirations and Elvis Presley Despite excellent songwriting and production from David Porter and Ronnie Williams, 'Slipped and Tripped', the 45 released from Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia failed to dent the charts. 1 albums ('56-'59). Dee Dee left in 1965, when her solo career began to take off. In fact, she gets it from the whole band." Within a month of their chart climb, the group began work on their second album a gospel record entitled Songs Of Faith & Inspiration. Myrna Smith began singing at the age of five she when she sang Jesus Loves Me with her father's gospel group, on 'The Sons of Harmony Radio Show'. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. [3] It was released in June 1967 and rose to No. 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. In the video, Demi attends a screening of the movie, only to be haunted . Kathy explained: I dated him for about six months on a regular basis it was fun. Today Rick visits with Estelle Brown of The Sweet Inspirations who were background singers for Elvis Presley 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. They began performing again and were in demand by the legions of Elvis fans who had seen them in the seventies with the King, in addition to the Soul intelligentsia overseas, where they retained a huge following. Shawn does an intimate show like no other that is free to the public. Aside of Sweet Inspirations, Smith sang back up for Elvis in his Graceland recordings as well. I'm sure he said, 'And I want your daughter to drive them'. The Sweet Inspirations; iloveoldschoolmusic.com. But U. S. magazines are disappearing. Smith had many fond memories of Elvis in which she reflected on his love for music as well as his love for black women, particularly her. Myrna Smith, a member of the group, The Sweet Inspirations, sang back up for rock & roll legend, Elvis Presley.