A rarely known Elvis moment that transformed everything for his backup singers
Elvis Presley undoubtedly possessed one of the most extraordinary singing voices ever. Beyond his musical talents, he was also an exceptional humanitarian.
In an era where music has the capacity to unite people, few artists have had as significant an impact as Elvis Presley. Beyond his iconic voice and electrifying shows, Elvis was a pioneer for equality, leveraging his fame to confront societal expectations. When the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was gearing up for a landmark concert at the Houston Astrodome in 1970, he encountered an unforeseen challenge.
The ensuing events not only cemented his status as a musical legend but also highlighted his role as a compassionate advocate against racism…
In 1970, Elvis Presley was scheduled to perform at the Houston Astrodome. Opened in 1965, ‘The Dome’ was a massive venue hosting a variety of events beyond just concerts.
This concert was unique for several reasons. Colonel Parker, Elvis Presley’s enigmatic manager, selected the Houston Astrodome as the first location for Elvis to perform outside of Las Vegas.
Interestingly, the Houston Astrodome was also the inaugural venue for The Sweet Inspirations to perform outside of Las Vegas, marking a pivotal moment in their career as well.
The Sweet Inspirations were a pioneering African-American female vocal group formed in the 1960s, celebrated for their soulful harmonies and dynamic performances.
In 1969, they received an incredible offer: to tour with Elvis Presley. Initially, they were in disbelief.
“I thought, ‘Elvis Presley! Why would he need us?’” recalled Myrna Smith, one of the three graceful and elegant women in the group, during a 1974 interview with AP.
The members worried that their rhythm and blues and soul sound might not blend with the Mississippi-born star, who primarily attracted a white audience familiar with country and rock genres.
First Meeting
However, their concerns were unfounded. From their very first encounter, the connection with Elvis was unmistakable.
“We never had any doubts,” said Sylvia Shemwell, adding, “He’s an amazing person, and he doesn’t care about your race.”
The Sweet Inspirations first met Elvis in Las Vegas for rehearsals in preparation for their 1969 engagement. During their initial meeting, Elvis donned a striking chocolate-colored suit and had a flawless tan; he looked absolutely stunning.
He approached them and introduced himself as if they were meeting for the first time: “Hi, I’m Elvis Presley.” From that point forward, every time he saw them, it was always accompanied by a warm kiss.
Reports from that time indicate that Presley chose The Sweet Inspirations because they were vibrant, attractive, and, most importantly, exceptionally talented. However, not everyone was as supportive of the group.
When Elvis debuted in Texas at the Astrodome, 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 misconception that Elvis harbored racist views has persisted for years. In 1957, a magazine spread falsely claimed he made a statement he never actually uttered.
This was one of many inaccuracies that have emerged over time, suggesting that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll had prejudices against African Americans.
”If They Don’t Come, I Don’t Come”
In reality, Elvis was committed to promoting racial harmony through his choice of collaborators and his respectful treatment of them. When the Houston Astrodome hosted its first Elvis concert, it was aligned with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The rodeo organizers made a contentious request for him to exclude his African-American female backing group due to racial prejudices. Elvis responded swiftly.
”There was a directive to leave the black girls behind, implying they weren’t needed. Elvis replied, ‘If they don’t come, I don’t come.’ He was genuinely upset about it. One individual, in particular, had sent the message. When we arrived, we were greeted by a young blonde woman in a convertible who had to chauffeur us around; she was his daughter. Elvis always ensured he addressed such issues directly. I’m certain he thought, ‘I want your daughter to drive them.’ But at the time, we weren’t aware. We discovered this later,” Myrna Smith told interviewer David Adams, as reported by Elvispresleymusic.com.
This incident highlighted the kind of person Elvis was—refusing to abandon his friends or let prejudice affect his performance.
True to his promise, Elvis didn’t just include The Sweet Inspirations on stage; he ensured they were honored. This wasn’t merely a performance; it was a courageous stand against racial bias, a declaration of equality during a time of division. To Elvis, they weren’t merely backup singers—they were family.
Walked Away with $1.2 Million
During the concert, the group members were surprised by the warm reception they received. To avoid causing any discomfort, Elvis’ team remained silent about what had transpired. It wasn’t until years later that Myrna Smith and the band discovered that Elvis had defended them, ensuring they were treated with the respect they deserved.
The Astrodome wasn’t originally designed to host a concert of the magnitude Elvis promised, but he delivered an outstanding performance, making it a memorable concert according to attendees.
After the final performance, Elvis held a press conference at Astroworld for approximately 100 journalists. He expressed his enjoyment of performing at the Astrodome, stating that it was exhilarating.
When he departed Astroworld, Elvis was wearing a blue, Easy Rider-inspired suede jacket paired with black trousers. He left with an impressive 20 suitcases and three guitars, walking away $1.2 million richer than he had been just three days earlier. However, it wasn’t solely about the money; Elvis had also demonstrated that he was not just the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll but also a genuine individual who valued those around him.
Myrna’s Special Memory of Elvis
Elvis shared a unique bond with the members of his African-American female backing group. Myrna Smith reminisces about a treasured moment with Elvis that perfectly illustrates his warmth, charm, and the deep connection they shared. During their initial meeting in 1969, Elvis took them to his penthouse. The setting was relaxed, filled with laughter and the upbeat tunes of 45s playing in the background. Friends and musicians mingled as Elvis approached Myrna and invited her to dance.
”It was a slow song. So I agreed. I don’t think Elvis had ever danced with a black woman before because when he danced with me, his entire body moved. I felt like just holding him because his whole body was shaking. He was shy, though. Despite being around many women and being known as a macho lover, he was just a little boy at heart. I saw him as part of my family. When he passed away and I was crying, my mother said, ‘He’s not family. Why are you crying? Why are you so upset?’ Because I loved him like a brother. She didn’t understand then, but she does now,” Myrna shared.
Myrna Smith’s Cause of Death
The Sweet Inspirations collaborated closely with Elvis from 1969 to 1977, joining him for his Las Vegas performances, national tours, and recording sessions.
They performed in over a thousand concerts with Elvis.
The Sweet Inspirations. From left to right: Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell, and Gloria Brown in 1979. (Photo by Gems/Redferns)
Their harmonious voices complemented Elvis’s legendary sound, resulting in unforgettable music together. Notably, Myrna Smith also contributed her talents to Elvis during his 1976 Graceland recordings, participating in both the February and October/November sessions.
These collaborations led to the creation of two outstanding albums that highlighted the unique fusion of Elvis’s style with the group’s soulful influence. In 2010, Myrna Smith sadly passed away from kidney failure at the age of 69.
Had you heard this story about Elvis before? I certainly hadn’t, but I believe all my friends would enjoy this tale. Feel free to share this story on Facebook so that more people can discover what an incredible person Elvis truly was!
