There is little doubt that Elvis Presley has one of the finest singing voices of all time. Beyond music, he was a tremendous humanitarian.
Few artists have utilized the power of music to transcend differences like Elvis Presley. Beyond his famed voice and thrilling concerts, Elvis was a passionate equality advocate who used his position to question society’s standards. When the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll prepared for a historic concert in the Houston Astrodome in 1970, he received an unexpected ultimatum.
What occurred next solidified his image as a musical legend and humanitarian partner in the struggle against racism.
Elvis Presley had a scheduled appearance at the Houston Astrodome in 1970. ‘The Dome,’ which opened in 1965, was a massive arena with several activities other than music. The concert was unique in many ways. Colonel Parker, Elvis Presley’s mysterious manager, picked the Houston Astrodome for Elvis’ debut performance outside of Las Vegas.
Interestingly, the Houston Astrodome was also the first arena where The Sweet Inspirations performed outside of Las Vegas, marking an important milestone in their career.
The Sweet Inspirations were a breakthrough African-American female vocal group that emerged in the 1960s, famed for their beautiful harmonies and strong performances.
A fantastic opportunity to tour with Elvis Presley presented itself to them in 1969. Initially, they could not believe it was true.”I said, ‘Elvis Presley!'” During an interview with the Associated Press in 1974, Myrna Smith, one of the group’s three skinny and attractive ladies, said, “What does he want us for?”
The band was apprehensive that their rhythm and blues and soul styles may clash with the Mississippi-born artist. Elvis mostly attracted white audiences who were more familiar with country and rock music.
First meeting.
However, there was no need to fear, as it turned out. They had an evident connection from the moment they met Elvis. “We’ve never had another doubt,” said Sylvia Shemwell, adding, “He’s a wonderful person, and he doesn’t care what color you are.”
The Sweet Inspirations first encountered Elvis in Las Vegas during rehearsals for their 1969 tour. Elvis looked incredibly magnificent in his chocolate-colored suit and excellent tan during their first meeting.
He approached them and introduced himself, as if they didn’t already know: “Hi, my name is Elvis Presley.
Since then, anytime he saw them, he would greet them with a hearty kiss.
Emily Drinkard was born on September 30, 1933, in New Jersey. She established the Sweet Inspirations in 1963. In 1969,…
Blue Suede Connection posted this on Sunday, September 30, 2018.
According to rumors at the time, Presley sought The Sweet Inspirations because they were energetic, handsome, and, most importantly, extremely skilled. However, not everyone was as enthused by the band.
Myrna Smith, the lead vocalist, claims that when Elvis made his debut in Texas at the Astrodome, someone told him, “Well, you can leave the Black gals at home. “You do not have to bring them.”
The myth that Elvis was racist has persisted for years. In 1957, a magazine published a fabrication about him, saying he commented when he never did.
This was only one of several falsehoods that persisted throughout time, implying that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll had anything against African Americans.
“Well, if they don’t come, I’m not coming.”
However, the reality is that Elvis actively sought racial reconciliation through the musicians he selected to collaborate with and how he treated them. When the Houston Astrodome staged its first Elvis show, it coincided with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Due of racial prejudices, rodeo organizers requested that he leave behind his African-American female backup group. However, Elvis responded quickly.
There was a directive to depart from the Black females, as they were no longer necessary. Elvis responded, “Well, if they don’t come, I don’t come.” However, his anger was evident. One person in particular had sent the message. Upon our arrival, a petite blonde in a convertible greeted us and took us on a tour. She was his daughter. Elvis always made it a point to get even. I am sure he said, ‘And I want your daughter to drive them.’ However, we were unaware of what was happening. “We found out later,” Myrna Smith told interviewer David Adams, according to Elvispresleymusic.com.
It was a moment that spoke much about Elvis’ character, as he refused to desert his friends or allow bigotry to impair his performance.
Elvis fulfilled his promise by bringing the Sweet Inspirations to the stage and ensuring their recognition. This was more than just a concert; it was a forceful statement against racial prejudice, a declaration of equality in an era of separation. For Elvis, they were more than simply backup singers; they were family.
walked away with $1.2 million
During the performance, the group members were perplexed by the enthusiastic welcome they received. Nobody wanted to say anything that may hurt their feelings, so Elvis’ team stayed silent about what had transpired. Muyrna Smith and the band didn’t realize Elvis had stood up for them and ensured they received the respect they deserved until years later.
Elvis sang his best despite the Astrodome’s lack of design, and many who attended thought the show was lovely.
Following the last concert, Elvis conducted a press conference at Astroworld for around 100 journalists. He remarked how much he appreciated performing in the Astrodome, saying it gave him a tremendous rush.
Elvis left Astroworld wearing a blue, Easy Rider-inspired suede jacket and black jeans. He went with an astounding 20 pieces of luggage and three guitars, $1.2 million richer than he was three days before. But it wasn’t just about the money; Elvis had demonstrated that he was more than just the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll; he was a real mensch who cared about those around him.
Myrna remembers Elvis having a unique relationship with his African American female supporting ensemble. Myrna Smith remembers a cherished experience with Elvis that completely encapsulates his warmth and charisma, as well as their deep friendship. During their first meeting in 1969, the singer led them to his apartment. The mood was relaxed, with laughter and the energetic sounds of 45s playing in the background. Elvis approached Myrna and asked if she wanted to dance.
“This was a sluggish record. So I responded, ‘Okay.’ And I am under the impression that Elvis had never danced with a Black woman before, as his entire body trembled when he began dancing with me. I wanted to grab him and embrace him. But he was, you know, bashful regardless. But all these females he’d been around—he’s this macho lover, whatever—and he was only a young child at the time. But it is who he was, you know. I stared at him as if he were one of my family members. When I screamed after his death, my mother responded, “He’s not from the family.” What are you grieving for, and why are you ending our relationship? I adore him; he is like a brother to me. You already have a brother. She didn’t understand before, but she does now,” Myrna explained.
Myrna Smith’s cause of death
From 1969 until 1977, The Sweet Inspirations accompanied Elvis on his Las Vegas performances, national concert tours, and recording sessions.
They performed almost a thousand gigs with Elvis.
Their harmonized vocals enhanced his iconic sound, resulting in outstanding songs together. Notably, Myrna Smith contributed her expertise to Elvis’ 1976 Graceland recordings, appearing in both the February and October/November sessions.
These collaborations resulted in two outstanding albums that highlighted Elvis’ distinctive style and the group’s deep impact. Myrna Smith died Friday of renal failure, which she suffered in 2010. She was 69.
Have you heard this Elvis story before? I definitely hadn’t, but I believe all of my friends would like this narrative. Feel free to share this article on Facebook so that more people can discover what a wonderful human being Elvis was!