Myrna Yvonne Smith (May 28, 1941 – December 24, 2010) was an
American songwriter and singer, who co-wrote many of the songs for Carl
Wilson's 1981 solo album Carl Wilson, as well as a few of the songs on his 1983
solo album Youngblood. She was also a member of the Sweet Inspirations, which previously
served as Elvis Presley's backing group.
Smith became a high school English teacher in South
Brunswick, New Jersey in the 1960s, while she also pursued her singing career.
The lead singer of her group, The Sweet Inspirations, was Cissy Houston, the
mother of Whitney Houston.
The Sweet Inspirations had evolved from the Gospelaires
group, whose members had included Myrna’s cousins Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick,
Doris Troy and Judy Guions (later Judy Clay). The group were in demand for
session work with many great artists, including Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett
and the Drifters. Myrna replaced Dee Dee in 1965 after she left to pursue a
solo career, and Estelle Brown also joined around the same time. Dionne and
Doris were replaced by Cissy Houston and Sylvia Shemwell, respectively.
Clockwise from top. Sylvia Shemwell, Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown.
In 1967, the group was signed to Atlantic as the Sweet Inspirations. Their first release was a cover of “Why (Am I Treated So Bad)” and it was a top 40 hit on the R&B charts. The groups’ most successful song was “Sweet Inspiration”, which was cut during a two-day session at American Sound in Memphis in August 1967. The track hit number five on the R&B chart and was a top 20 pop hit.
Clockwise from top. Sylvia Shemwell, Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown.
In 1967, the group was signed to Atlantic as the Sweet Inspirations. Their first release was a cover of “Why (Am I Treated So Bad)” and it was a top 40 hit on the R&B charts. The groups’ most successful song was “Sweet Inspiration”, which was cut during a two-day session at American Sound in Memphis in August 1967. The track hit number five on the R&B chart and was a top 20 pop hit.
The Sweet Inspirations continued to work as sessions singers
during this period, appearing on classic cuts by artists as diverse as Aretha
Franklin (“Chain of Fools”), Dusty Springfield (“Son of a Preacher Man”), Van
Morrison (“Brown Eyed Girl”) and Jimi Hendrix (“Burning of the Midnight Lamp”).
In 1969, Myrna began her eight-year association with Elvis
Presley when the Sweet Inspirations were chosen as his opening act and backing
singers for his engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The Sweet
Inspirations appeared with Elvis in more than 1,000 concerts and featured in
the concert movies “That’s the Way It Is” and “Elvis On Tour”, as well as the
television specials “Aloha from Hawaii” and “Elvis in Concert.” Myrna was
married to Elvis Presley's high school friend, Jerry
Schilling from 1982 to
1987.
Myrna was still making records with the Sweet Inspirations
during her period with Elvis, but with limited commercial success. However,
following Elvis’ tragic death, they did back Frankie Valli on his number one
single “Grease.” They also toured with the Bee Gees and released the disco
album “Hot Butterfly” in this period, but with the record achieving limited success
the group decided to break up.
After years apart, the Sweet Inspirations reformed in 1994
and continued to perform up until 2010. The Elvis association in particular
assured them regular work, including touring with the “Elvis: The Concert”
show, which features Elvis on screen and his original backing band playing
live.
In 2005, the Sweet Inspirations released “In The Right
Place”, which was their first solo recording in 25 years. The 15-track album
featured a number of new songs and a great new recording of their biggest hit
“Sweet Inspiration.” Myrna was joined on “In the Right Place” by Estelle Brown,
Sylvia Shemwell and Portia Griffin.
While performing on the 'Elvis: The Concert' European tour
in March 2010, Myrna developed pneumonia which eventually led to kidney failure
and a stroke. She died on December 24, 2010, in Canoga Park, California, after
an illness, at the age of 69.
Myrna was a great soul singer whose voice was featured on
some of the finest records of the second half of the 20th century. She was also
an important part of Elvis’ stage act and, by all accounts, a warm and friendly
person.
ESTELLE BROWN - PORTIA GRIFFIN - MYRNA SMITH 2009
Estelle Brown, along with Portia Griffin made the difficult
decision to replace Myrna with LA based singer Kelly Jones; as of March 2011,
The Sweet Inspirations are continuing to perform backup vocals with Elvis: The
Concert and continue to do many concerts worldwide with Elvis Presley
Enterprises' first ever "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist", Shawn Klush,
sometimes as a duo and other times as a trio. (Info edited from
Wikipedia & Claasicpopicons) World's Greatest Elvis Show, St David's Hall, Cardiff, 1 Sep 2009
2 comments:
For The Sweet Inspirations album go here:
http://www48.zippyshare.com/v/8xRrIXFq/file.html
1. Oh! What A Fool I've Been
2. Blues Stay Away From Me
3. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
4. Knock On Wood
5. Do Right Woman-Do Right Man
6. Don't Fight It
7. Sweet Inspiration
8. Let It Be Me
9. I'm Blue
10. Reach Out For Me
11. Here I Am (Take Me)
12. Why (Am I Treated So Bad)
(Forgot to add artwork)
Their "This World" was awesome! Didn't sound anything like the musical it was from. In fact, I bought the Original Cast album of "The Me Nobody Knows", thinking it was the same - not even close, but to their (Sweet Inspirations) credit and always a fave!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GJPao6ljIY
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