Myrna Smith
Encyclopedia
Myrna Yvonne Smith 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
.
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and singer, who co-wrote many of the songs for Carl Wilson
Carl Wilson
Carl Dean Wilson was an American rock and roll singer and guitarist, best known as a founding member, lead guitarist and sometime lead vocalist of The Beach Boys...
's 1981 solo album Carl Wilson
Carl Wilson (album)
Carl Wilson is the self-titled debut solo album of The Beach Boys band member, Carl Wilson. The youngest of the three Wilson brothers in the band, Carl Wilson was reportedly at this time unhappy with the progress being made by The Beach Boys creatively...
, as well as a few of the songs on his 1983 solo album Youngblood
Youngblood (album)
Youngblood is Carl Wilson's second and final solo album. It was released in 1983 by Caribou Records. It was re-issued on CD on September 21, 2010.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Carl Wilson and Myrna Smith; except where indicated....
. She was also a member of the Sweet Inspirations
Sweet Inspirations
The Sweet Inspirations were founded by Cissy Houston , mother of Whitney Houston, and sister of Lee Warrick...
, which previously served as Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's backing group.
Smith became a high school English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
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
Cissy Houston
Emily "Cissy" Houston is a Grammy Award–winning American soul and gospel singer. She led a very successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Wishbone Ash and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist...
, the mother of Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
.
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.
