Celebrity

Little-known Elvis moment changed everything for his singers

There’s no question that Elvis Presley possessed one of the greatest voices in the history of music. Yet, his influence stretched far beyond his vocal talents—he was also an exceptional humanitarian.

In a world where music has the power to unite, few artists have harnessed that power as profoundly as Elvis Presley. Not just celebrated for his unforgettable voice and mesmerizing performances, Elvis also became a key figure in the fight for equality, using his fame to challenge societal standards. When preparing for a landmark concert at the Houston Astrodome in 1970, he faced an unforeseen challenge.

What transpired next would cement his place not only as a musical legend but also as a compassionate advocate for racial equality…

In 1970, Elvis Presley was scheduled to perform at the Houston Astrodome. Opened in 1965, the Astrodome was a massive, multi-purpose arena known for much more than just hosting concerts.

This concert was particularly notable for several reasons. Colonel Parker, Elvis’s mysterious manager, chose the Houston Astrodome as the first venue for Elvis to perform outside of Las Vegas.

Interestingly, the Houston Astrodome also marked the first time The Sweet Inspirations performed outside of Las Vegas, marking a major milestone in their career.

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The Sweet Inspirations were a pioneering African-American female vocal group that emerged in the 1960s, celebrated for their soulful harmonies and captivating performances.

In 1969, they received an incredible opportunity to tour with Elvis Presley. Initially, they were in disbelief.

“I said, ‘Elvis Presley! What does he want us for?’” Myrna Smith, one of the three graceful women in the group, remembered in a 1974 interview with AP.

The group was unsure whether their rhythm and blues and soul style would complement the Mississippi-born singer. Elvis had a predominantly white fan base that was more familiar with country and rock music.

First meeting

However, it turned out there was no need for concern. From the very first time they met Elvis, the connection between them was clear.

“We’ve never had another doubt,” Sylvia Shemwell said, 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 engagement. At their first meeting, Elvis wore an eye-catching chocolate-colored suit and had a perfect tan, looking absolutely stunning.

He walked over to them and introduced himself as though they didn’t already know: “Hi, I’m Elvis Presley.” From then on, whenever he saw them, it was always accompanied by a warm kiss.

Born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in New Jersey, she founded The Sweet Inspirations in 1963. In 1969, The…

Reports from the time indicated that Presley chose The Sweet Inspirations because of their energy, beauty, and, most importantly, their incredible talent. However, not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for the group.

When Elvis performed at the Astrodome in Texas, Myrna Smith, the lead singer, recalls being told: “Well, you can leave the black girls at home. You don’t have to bring them.”

The long-standing rumor that Elvis was racist has persisted for years. In 1957, a magazine published a false claim, stating he had made a remark he never actually said.

This is just one of many inaccuracies that have spread over the years, suggesting that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll harbored prejudice against African Americans.

”Well if they don’t come, I don’t come”

However, the reality is that Elvis actively worked toward racial reconciliation through the musicians he collaborated with and the way he treated them. When the Houston Astrodome hosted its inaugural concert with Elvis, it was coordinated with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Rodeo officials, however, made a controversial request for him to leave behind his African-American female backing group because of racial biases. Elvis quickly responded.

“There was a message sent to leave the black girls, they didn’t need the black girls. And so Elvis responded with, ‘Well if they don’t come, I don’t come.’ But he was really upset about it. There was one person in particular who had sent the message. So when we got there, we were greeted by this little blonde in a convertible and she had to drive us around and she was his daughter. So Elvis always made sure he got even. I’m sure he said, ‘And I want your daughter to drive them.’ But, when it was happening we didn’t know. We learned that later,” Myrna Smith shared with interviewer David Adams, according to Elvispresleymusic.com.

This moment highlighted the type of man Elvis was — someone who refused to abandon his friends or allow prejudice to affect his performance.

True to his word, Elvis didn’t just bring the Sweet Inspirations on stage; he made sure they were celebrated. This act wasn’t just a performance; it was a powerful stand against racial prejudice, a declaration of equality in a time of division. To Elvis, they weren’t just backup singers — they were family.

Walked away with $1.2 million

The group members were perplexed by the enthusiastic welcome they received during the performance. Elvis Presley’s team remained silent about what had transpired since nobody wanted to say anything that would offend them. Muyrna Smith and the band didn’t find out until years later that Elvis had defended them and made sure they received the respect they were due.

The Astrodome wasn’t exactly designed for the kind of concert Elvis had in mind, but Elvis gave it his all, and the performance was described as beautiful by those who were there.

After the final show, Elvis held a press conference at Astroworld for around 100 journalists, where he shared how much he enjoyed performing in the Astrodome, mentioning it gave him a great thrill.

When checking out of Astroworld, Elvis wore a blue, Easy Rider-inspired suede jacket with black trousers. He left with 20 suitcases and three guitars, walking away $1.2 million richer than he had been just three days prior. But the money wasn’t the only thing that mattered; Elvis had also demonstrated that he was not just the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll but a true mensch who valued the people around him.

Myrna’s special memory of Elvis

Elvis shared a deep and meaningful connection with the members of his African-American female backing group, and Myrna Smith fondly remembers one such moment that perfectly showcases his warmth, charm, and the strong bond they shared. The memory takes her back to their first meeting in 1969, when Elvis invited them to his penthouse. The environment was relaxed, filled with laughter and the upbeat sounds of 45s playing in the background. As friends and musicians mingled, Elvis approached Myrna and asked if she would like to dance.

“It was a slow record. So I said, ‘O.K’. And I don’t think that Elvis had ever danced with a black woman before because he started dancing with me, his whole body, I felt like just grabbing him and holding him cause his whole body was trembling. And, but he was, y’know, he was shy anyway. But all these girls, y’know, that he’d been around and he’s this macho lover, whatever, and he was just a little boy then. But that’s what he was, y’know. I looked upon him, a part of my family, like. My mother, when he died and I was screaming, my mother said, ‘He’s not in the family. What are you cry, what are you breaking up?’ Because I love him, he’s like a brother. You already got a brother. She didn’t understand then, but she does now,” Myrna recalled.

Myrna Smith cause of death

The Sweet Inspirations collaborated extensively with Elvis from 1969 to 1977, performing alongside him at his Las Vegas shows, during his national tours, and in recording sessions.

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The Sweet Inspirations. Left to right are Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell and Gloria Brown in 1979. (Photo by Gems/Redferns)

Their voices, in perfect harmony, enhanced his legendary sound, producing unforgettable music. Myrna Smith, in particular, contributed her talent to Elvis during his 1976 Graceland sessions, being a part of both the February and October/November recordings.

These collaborations led to the creation of two remarkable albums that showcased a distinctive fusion of Elvis’s iconic style and the group’s soulful influence. Tragically, Myrna Smith passed away in 2010 from kidney failure at the age of 69.

Had you ever heard this story about Elvis before? I hadn’t, but I believe my friends would love to hear it. Feel free to share this story on Facebook so that more people can discover just how amazing Elvis was as a person!

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