Sweet Inspirations
Encyclopedia
The Sweet Inspirations were founded by Cissy Houston
(née Drinkard), mother of Whitney Houston
, and sister of Lee Warrick (herself the mother of well-known sisters Dee Dee
and Dionne Warwick
). Emily and Lee were members of The Drinkard Singers
, a family group that had the distinction of recording the first Gospel album to appear on a major label: A live recording from The Newport Jazz Festival in 1959. The line-up included Judy Guions (who later became Judy Clay
), Marie Epps, Larry Drinkard, Nicholas Drinkard, Ann Moss, Lee and Emily.
and the two Warwick sisters, with both Doris and Dionne enjoying solo careers with hits ("Just One Look" and "Don’t Make Me Over" respectively, both of which the Sweet Inspirations can be heard on) in 1963. At that time, Sylvia Shemwell (sister of Judy Clay) replaced Doris; while Cissy Houston took over from Dionne, with Dee Dee Warwick as the group’s official leader. The group sang backup for many stars, including Wilson Pickett
, Solomon Burke
, Esther Phillips
and Aretha Franklin
. Dee Dee left in 1965, when her solo career began to take off. She was replaced by Myrna Smith
. Estelle Brown joined the team soon after, and the line-up that was to become an Atlantic recording group was set.
In a recording session on March 28, 1967, The Sweet Inspirations provided the back up vocals for Van Morrison
on his classic hit "Brown Eyed Girl
". It was released in June 1967 and rose to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
charts. In October 2007, Morrison was awarded a Million-Air certificate by BMI
for 8 million air plays of "Brown Eyed Girl".
The Sweet Inspirations recorded by themselves for the first time in April 1967 for Atlantic Records
. That session produced the first two singles released by Atlantic, a version of "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)," a song previously recorded by The Staple Singers
and a soulful version of "Let It Be Me", a French song which had been a pop and R&B hit for Betty Everett
& Jerry Butler
in 1964.Though their first singles lacked much chart success, Atlantic was committed to the group, and an August session in Memphis
yielded the bulk of songs used for the group’s self-titled debut album, released in the late fall of 1967.
Within a month of their chart climb, the group began work on their second album - a gospel record entitled Songs Of Faith & Inspiration. It was released in 1968 under the name "Cissy Drinkard & The Sweet Inspirations."
Shortly after cutting the gospel set, the group was back in Atlantic’s studios to record their third album. The late April session yielded a version of The Bee Gees’ "To Love Somebody", which became the group’s fourth R&B chart hit, and a version of The Righteous Brothers
' "Unchained Melody," which surprisingly gave the group a charted, though minor hit.
In 1968, the group did studio work for Jimi Hendrix
during sessions for his Electric Ladyland
album, performing backing vocals for the track "Burning of the Midnight Lamp
". They also backed Dusty Springfield
on her album Dusty in Memphis
.
In 1969, The Sweet Inspirations began recording and touring with Elvis Presley
as both background singers and his warm-up act, as well as doing occasional ‘live’ dates with Aretha Franklin. The association with Presley became well-publicized as he routinely introduced the Sweet Inspirations (along with the TCB band members, the JD Sumner & Stamps Quartet, and Kathy Westmoreland) on his telecast concerts and live recordings.
The Sweet Inspirations’ fourth album was recorded in February 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
with the famed Muscle Shoals rhythm section, who had played on hit recordings by a number of acts including Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge
, and Clarence Carter.
Cissy's last recording session with The Sweet Inspirations was in October 1969, since she wanted to pursue a solo career and concentrate on her family. The session produced the group’s biggest R&B hit in some time. A Gamble & Huff composition, "Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover" appeared on the group’s fifth album (Sweet Sweet Soul).
The remainder of the album was recorded in November 1970, with Sylvia, Estelle, Myrna and new member Ann Williams, a friend of Estelle’s who stayed for what turned out to be the group’s last full Atlantic album. Also included from that set are "That’s The Way My Baby Is", and "Flash In The Pan". Ann disappeared during a tour with Elvis Presley and did not return to the group. A final Atlantic session in June 1970 brought the group (now a trio with Estelle, Myrna, and Sylvia) its last two singles for the label: "This World" (from the musical "The Me Nobody Knows"), and "Evidence".
In 1973, Estelle, Myrna, and Sylvia recorded an album for Stax Records
. By 1979, Estelle had quit the group and was replaced by Gloria Brown, who toured with them but didn’t sing on The Sweet Inspirations’ last LP, Hot Butterfly, on RSO
, with singer Pat Terry featured on the actual recording. They group broke up shortly thereafter. In 1978, the group sang backing vocals on Frankie Valli
's No.1 hit "Grease" from the film of the same name. In 1979, the group toured with The Bee Gees during their U.S. Spirits Having Flown Tour
singing backup.
The Sweet Inspirations (Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia) got back together again in 1994, with new member Portia Griffin. They perform at Elvis Presley tribute shows and released new material in 2005. Sylvia suffered a stroke
in 2001 that has kept her from performing with the group. They also recorded choir backing for The Killers' 2004 recording, "Hot Fuss
", on songs "Andy, You're a Star" and "All These Things That I've Done
". Sylvia Shernwell died on February 13, 2010.
In March 2010, while on a European tour for Elvis: The Concert, Myrna Smith developed pneumonia
. Once back in the U.S., her condition continued to deteriorate, as she suffered kidney failure, further complicated by a severe stroke
. By October 2010, she was a patient at the Canyon Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Canoga Park, California. Myrna Smith died on December 24, 2010.
Estelle Brown made the difficult decision to replace Myrna; as of March 2011, The Sweet Inspirations are continuing to perform backup vocals with Elvis: The Concert.
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...
(née Drinkard), 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...
, and sister of Lee Warrick (herself the mother of well-known sisters Dee Dee
Dee Dee Warwick
Dee Dee Warwick was an American soul singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey as Delia Mae Warrick, she was the sister of Dionne Warwick, niece of Cissy Houston and cousin of Whitney Houston....
and Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
). Emily and Lee were members of The Drinkard Singers
The Drinkard Singers
The Drinkard Singers were an American gospel singing group, most successful in the late 1950s and important in the careers of singers Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick, and Judy Clay.-Musical career:...
, a family group that had the distinction of recording the first Gospel album to appear on a major label: A live recording from The Newport Jazz Festival in 1959. The line-up included Judy Guions (who later became Judy Clay
Judy Clay
Judy Clay was an American soul and gospel singer, who achieved greatest success as a member of two recording duos in the 1960s.-Life:...
), Marie Epps, Larry Drinkard, Nicholas Drinkard, Ann Moss, Lee and Emily.
History
The original backup group that was so in demand among producers, publishers, artists, and songwriters in the early ‘60’s included Doris TroyDoris Troy
Doris Troy was an American R&B singer, known to her many fans as "Mama Soul".She was born as Doris Higginson in The Bronx, the daughter of a Barbadian Pentecostal minister. Her parents disapproved of "subversive" forms of music like rhythm & blues, so she cut her teeth singing in her father's choir...
and the two Warwick sisters, with both Doris and Dionne enjoying solo careers with hits ("Just One Look" and "Don’t Make Me Over" respectively, both of which the Sweet Inspirations can be heard on) in 1963. At that time, Sylvia Shemwell (sister of Judy Clay) replaced Doris; while Cissy Houston took over from Dionne, with Dee Dee Warwick as the group’s official leader. The group sang backup for many stars, including Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
, Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke was an American singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, mortician, and an archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People. Burke was known as "King Solomon", the "King of Rock 'n' Soul", and as the "Bishop of Soul", and described as "the Muhammad Ali of soul", and as "the most...
, Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips was an American singer. Phillips was known for her R&B vocals, but she was a versatile singer, also performing pop, country, jazz, blues and soul music.-Early life:...
and Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
. Dee Dee left in 1965, when her solo career began to take off. She was replaced by Myrna Smith
Myrna Smith
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...
. Estelle Brown joined the team soon after, and the line-up that was to become an Atlantic recording group was set.
In a recording session on March 28, 1967, The Sweet Inspirations provided the back up vocals for Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
on his classic hit "Brown Eyed Girl
Brown Eyed Girl
"Brown Eyed Girl" is a song by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. Written and recorded in 1967 by Van Morrison and produced by Bang Records chief Bert Berns, it was first released in May 1967 on the album Blowin' Your Mind!. When released as a single, it rose to number eight on the...
". It was released in June 1967 and rose to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
charts. In October 2007, Morrison was awarded a Million-Air certificate by BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
for 8 million air plays of "Brown Eyed Girl".
The Sweet Inspirations recorded by themselves for the first time in April 1967 for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. That session produced the first two singles released by Atlantic, a version of "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)," a song previously recorded by The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples , the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha , Pervis , Yvonne , and Mavis...
and a soulful version of "Let It Be Me", a French song which had been a pop and R&B hit for Betty Everett
Betty Everett
Betty Everett was an African-American soul singer and pianist, best known for her biggest hit single, the million-selling "The Shoop Shoop Song ".-Early career:...
& Jerry Butler
Jerry Butler (singer)
Jerry Butler is an American soul singer and songwriter. He is also noted as being the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group, The Impressions, as well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.Butler is also an American politician...
in 1964.Though their first singles lacked much chart success, Atlantic was committed to the group, and an August session in Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
yielded the bulk of songs used for the group’s self-titled debut album, released in the late fall of 1967.
Within a month of their chart climb, the group began work on their second album - a gospel record entitled Songs Of Faith & Inspiration. It was released in 1968 under the name "Cissy Drinkard & The Sweet Inspirations."
Shortly after cutting the gospel set, the group was back in Atlantic’s studios to record their third album. The late April session yielded a version of The Bee Gees’ "To Love Somebody", which became the group’s fourth R&B chart hit, and a version of The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They recorded from 1963 through 1975, and continued to perform until Hatfield's death in 2003...
' "Unchained Melody," which surprisingly gave the group a charted, though minor hit.
In 1968, the group did studio work for Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
during sessions for his Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland is the third and final album of new material by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, released in October 1968 on Reprise Records, catalogue 2RS 6307. It is the only Hendrix studio album professionally produced under his supervision. It topped the Billboard 200 album chart for two weeks in...
album, performing backing vocals for the track "Burning of the Midnight Lamp
Burning of the Midnight Lamp
"Burning of the Midnight Lamp" is a song by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, first released as a mono single b/w "The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam's Dice" in the United Kingdom on August 19, 1967 . It later appeared on the band's final studio album, Electric Ladyland...
". They also backed Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
on her album Dusty in Memphis
Dusty in Memphis
Dusty in Memphis is a landmark album by Dusty Springfield, released in 1969. It was produced by Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin and engineered by Tom Dowd. "So Much Love", "Son of a Preacher Man", "The Windmills Of Your Mind", "Breakfast in Bed", "Just One Smile", "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore",...
.
In 1969, The Sweet Inspirations began recording and touring with 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"....
as both background singers and his warm-up act, as well as doing occasional ‘live’ dates with Aretha Franklin. The association with Presley became well-publicized as he routinely introduced the Sweet Inspirations (along with the TCB band members, the JD Sumner & Stamps Quartet, and Kathy Westmoreland) on his telecast concerts and live recordings.
The Sweet Inspirations’ fourth album was recorded in February 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
with the famed Muscle Shoals rhythm section, who had played on hit recordings by a number of acts including Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge is an American R&B and soul performer who recorded the hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966.-Early career:...
, and Clarence Carter.
Cissy's last recording session with The Sweet Inspirations was in October 1969, since she wanted to pursue a solo career and concentrate on her family. The session produced the group’s biggest R&B hit in some time. A Gamble & Huff composition, "Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover" appeared on the group’s fifth album (Sweet Sweet Soul).
The remainder of the album was recorded in November 1970, with Sylvia, Estelle, Myrna and new member Ann Williams, a friend of Estelle’s who stayed for what turned out to be the group’s last full Atlantic album. Also included from that set are "That’s The Way My Baby Is", and "Flash In The Pan". Ann disappeared during a tour with Elvis Presley and did not return to the group. A final Atlantic session in June 1970 brought the group (now a trio with Estelle, Myrna, and Sylvia) its last two singles for the label: "This World" (from the musical "The Me Nobody Knows"), and "Evidence".
In 1973, Estelle, Myrna, and Sylvia recorded an album for Stax Records
Stax Records
Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee.Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961. The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles, also releasing gospel, funk, jazz, and...
. By 1979, Estelle had quit the group and was replaced by Gloria Brown, who toured with them but didn’t sing on The Sweet Inspirations’ last LP, Hot Butterfly, on RSO
RSO
RSO or R.S.O. may refer to:* Regional Security Officer, a U.S. Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent in charge of security at a U.S. Embassy...
, with singer Pat Terry featured on the actual recording. They group broke up shortly thereafter. In 1978, the group sang backing vocals on Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
's No.1 hit "Grease" from the film of the same name. In 1979, the group toured with The Bee Gees during their U.S. Spirits Having Flown Tour
1979 Spirits Having Flown Tour
Following the release of the Spirits Having Flown album in February 1979, The Bee Gees set out on their most lavish and successful tour during the height of their popularity following two straight number one albums and six straight number one singles.-History:...
singing backup.
The Sweet Inspirations (Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia) got back together again in 1994, with new member Portia Griffin. They perform at Elvis Presley tribute shows and released new material in 2005. Sylvia suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 2001 that has kept her from performing with the group. They also recorded choir backing for The Killers' 2004 recording, "Hot Fuss
Hot Fuss
Hot Fuss is the debut studio album by Las Vegas based American rock band The Killers, released on June 7, 2004 in the United Kingdom and on June 15, 2004 in the United States.-Background:...
", on songs "Andy, You're a Star" and "All These Things That I've Done
All These Things That I've Done
"All These Things That I've Done" is a song performed by The Killers, and written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers. The song appears on their debut album Hot Fuss. It was released as the third single in 2004 in the United Kingdom and as the fourth single in the United States...
". Sylvia Shernwell died on February 13, 2010.
In March 2010, while on a European tour for Elvis: The Concert, Myrna Smith developed pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. Once back in the U.S., her condition continued to deteriorate, as she suffered kidney failure, further complicated by a severe stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. By October 2010, she was a patient at the Canyon Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Canoga Park, California. Myrna Smith died on December 24, 2010.
Estelle Brown made the difficult decision to replace Myrna; as of March 2011, The Sweet Inspirations are continuing to perform backup vocals with Elvis: The Concert.
Discography
- Sweet Inspirations - Atlantic (1967)
- Songs of Faith & Inspiration - Atlantic (1968)
- Sweets for my Sweet - Atlantic (1969)
- What the World Needs Now is Love - Atlantic (1969)
- Sweet Sweet Soul - Atlantic (1970)
- Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia - Stax (1973)
- Hot Butterfly - RSO (1979)
- In the Right Place - Frixion (2005)
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | The Sweet Inspirations | U.S. Top Pop Albums Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
90 |
| U.S. Top R&B Albums | 12 | ||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | "Let It Be Me" | Hot Pop Singles Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
9 |
| Hot Soul Singles | 13 | ||
| "Why (Am I Treated so Bad)" | Hot Pop Singles | 57 | |
| Hot Soul Singles | 36 | ||
| 1968 | "Sweet Inspiration" | Hot Pop Singles | 18 |
| Hot Soul Singles | 5 | ||
| "To Love Somebody To Love Somebody (song) "To Love Somebody" is the second single released by the Bee Gees from their third LP, Bee Gees 1st.The band's manager Robert Stigwood wanted Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Barry, along with Robin wrote "To Love Somebody," a soulful ballad in the style of Sam & Dave or The Rascals... " |
Hot Pop Singles | 74 | |
| Hot Soul Singles | 30 | ||
| "Unchained Melody Unchained Melody "Unchained Melody" is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. It has become one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, by some counts having spawned over 500 versions in hundreds of different languages.... " |
Hot Pop Singles | 73 | |
| Hot Soul Singles | 41 | ||
| 1969 | Crying in the Rain | Hot Soul Singles | 42 |
| 1970 | "A Brand New Lover" | Hot Soul Singles | 25 |
| 1971 | "Evidence" | Hot Soul Singles | 44 |
| 1979 | "Love is on the Way" | Hot Dance Music Club/Play | 26 |
| 2005 | "Celebration" | Hot Dance Music Club/Play | 34 |