There’s no doubt that Elvis Presley had one of the greatest singing voices of all time. But beyond the music, he was also a remarkable humanitarian.
In a world where music can connect people, few artists have had as much impact as Elvis Presley. Not only was he famous for his amazing voice and exciting shows, but he also stood up for equality and used his fame to challenge the way things were. When Elvis was getting ready for a huge concert at the Houston Astrodome in 1970, he encountered an unexpected challenge.
What happened next would not only make him a music legend but also show his support in the battle against racism…
In 1970, Elvis Presley was ready to take the stage at the Houston Astrodome. This massive arena, which opened in 1965, was known for hosting all kinds of events, not just concerts.
This concert was special for many reasons. Colonel Parker, Elvis’s mysterious manager, picked the Houston Astrodome as the first place for Elvis to perform outside of Las Vegas.
Interestingly, the Houston Astrodome was also the first venue where The Sweet Inspirations sang outside of Las Vegas, making it a big moment in their journey as well.
The Sweet Inspirations were an amazing African-American female singing group that started in the 1960s. They were famous for their beautiful harmonies and strong performances.
In 1969, they got a fantastic chance to go on tour with Elvis Presley. At first, they were in shock and couldn’t believe it was happening.
“I said, ‘Elvis Presley! Why does he want us?’” Myrna Smith, one of the three talented and attractive women in the group, remembered during an interview with AP in 1974.
The group was worried that their rhythm and blues and soul music might not fit with Elvis, who was mostly popular with a white audience that liked country and rock music.
First meeting
There was really no reason to be concerned, as it turned out. From the very first time they met Elvis, the connection was clear.
“We never had any doubts,” said Sylvia Shemwell, adding, “He’s an amazing person, and he doesn’t care about your skin color.”
The Sweet Inspirations first encountered Elvis in Las Vegas when they came for rehearsals for their 1969 show. During their initial meeting, Elvis was wearing a stunning chocolate-colored suit and had a perfect tan; he looked absolutely fantastic.
He walked over to them and introduced himself like they didn’t already know: “Hi, I’m Elvis Presley.” From that day on, whenever he saw them, he always greeted them with a warm kiss.
Born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933 in New Jersey. She founded The Sweet Inspirations in 1963. In 1969 The…Posted by Blue Suede Connection on Sunday, September 30, 2018
Elvis Presley really liked The Sweet Inspirations because they were fun, good-looking, and super talented. But not everyone felt the same way about the group.
When Elvis first performed in Texas at the Astrodome, Myrna Smith, who was the lead singer, recalled that someone told him, “You can just leave the black girls at home. No need to bring them.”
The rumor that Elvis was racist has lingered for years. In 1957, a magazine spread a falsehood about him, claiming he made a statement he never actually said.
There have been a lot of wrong ideas floating around for years, and one of them is that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll didn’t like African Americans.
”Well if they don’t come, I don’t come”
However, the truth is that Elvis actively sought racial reconciliation through the musicians he chose to work with and the way he treated them. When the Houston Astrodome hosted its first concert featuring Elvis, it was scheduled in connection with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The rodeo officials made a controversial request for him to leave behind his African-American female backing group due to racial biases. However, Elvis was quick to respond.
”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 told interviewer David Adams, according to Elvispresleymusic.com.
That moment really showed what kind of person Elvis was. He refused to leave his friends behind or let unfairness ruin his show.
Elvis kept his promise by not only bringing the Sweet Inspirations on stage but also making sure they got the recognition they deserved. This was more than just a performance; it was a strong statement against racism and a shout-out for equality during a time when things were really divided. To Elvis, they weren’t just backup singers; they were like family to him.
Walked away with $1.2 million
The group was really surprised by how warmly the audience welcomed them during the show. Everyone was careful not to say anything that could upset their feelings, so Elvis’ team didn’t mention what had gone on. It was only many years later that Muyrna Smith and the band found out that Elvis had defended them, making sure they got the respect they truly deserved.
The Astrodome wasn’t really built to stage a concert such as the like Elvis promised, but Elvis sung his best, and it was a beautiful concert according to people who was there.
After the last performance, Elvis held a press conference at Astroworld with about 100 reporters. He shared how much fun he had performing in the Astrodome, saying it really excited him.
When he checked out of Astroworld, Elvis wore a blue suede jacket inspired by Easy Rider and black pants. He left with an amazing 20 suitcases and three guitars, walking away with $1.2 million more than he had just three days before. But it wasn’t only about the money; Elvis also showed that he was not just the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll but a genuinely good person who cared about those around him.
Myrna’s special memory of Elvis
Elvis had a really unique bond with the women in his African-American backing group. Myrna Smith remembers a special moment with him that shows just how warm and charming he was, and how close they all were. It happened during their first meeting in 1969 when Elvis invited them to his penthouse. The vibe was super relaxed, filled with laughter and the fun sounds of records playing in the background. Friends and musicians were hanging out when Elvis came over to Myrna and asked her to dance.
“It was a slow song, so I said, ‘Sure.’ I think it was the first time he had danced with a black woman because when we started dancing, I could feel his whole body shaking. He was a bit shy, you know? He had all these girls around him, acting like a tough guy, but in that moment, he seemed like just a little boy. I felt like he was part of my family. When he passed away, I was so upset that my mom said, ‘He’s not family. Why are you crying?’ I loved him like a brother. She didn’t get it back then, but she understands now,” Myrna said.
Myrna Smith cause of death
The Sweet Inspirations worked closely with Elvis from 1969 to 1977, accompanying him during his Las Vegas shows, national concert tours, and recording sessions.
They played more than a thousand concerts with Elvis.
Their amazing voices worked perfectly with his famous sound, making music that people would always remember. Myrna Smith was especially important because she helped Elvis with his recordings at Graceland in 1976, joining in both the February and October/November sessions.
These teamwork efforts led to two incredible albums that highlighted how Elvis’s style mixed with the group’s soulful vibe. Sadly, Myrna Smith passed away yesterday at the age of 69 due to kidney failure.
Had you heard this story about Elvis before? I certainly hadn’t, but I think all my friends would appreciate this anecdote. Feel free to share this story on Facebook so that more people can learn about what a fantastic human being Elvis was!