The Sweet Inspirations facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Sweet Inspirations
The Sweet Inspirations in 1967
Background information
Genres	Soul, gospel, R&B
Years active	1959–1979, 1994–present
Associated acts	Van Morrison, The Drinkard Singers, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Bee Gees, Dee Dee Warwick, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, T-Bone Walker, Esther Phillips, The Killers
Past members	Cissy Houston Estelle Brown Sylvia Shemwell Myrna Smith

The Sweet Inspirations were an American R&B girl group. They were best known for singing backup vocals for many famous R&B and rock artists. One of the first members was Dionne Warwick. Later, her aunt, Cissy Houston, joined the group.

How the Group Started

The Sweet Inspirations was formed by singers who used to be in a gospel group called The Drinkard Singers. This included Cissy Houston, who is the mother of famous singer Whitney Houston. Cissy's sister, Lee Warwick, was also part of the Drinkard Singers. Lee was the mother of Sweet Inspirations members Dee Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick.

In the early 1960s, many music producers and artists wanted the Sweet Inspirations to sing backup for them. The first members included Doris Troy and the sisters Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick. Both Doris Troy and Dionne Warwick started their own successful solo careers in 1963. You can hear the Sweet Inspirations singing on their hit songs like "Just One Look" and "Don't Make Me Over".

After this, Sylvia Shemwell joined the group, replacing Doris Troy. Cissy Houston took Dionne's place, and Dee Dee Warwick became the group's main leader. The group sang backup for many stars, including Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Esther Phillips. Dee Dee left in 1965 to focus on her solo career. Myrna Smith then joined the group. Soon after, Estelle Brown also became a member. This lineup then became a recording group for Atlantic Records.

Early Success and Hit Songs

On March 28, 1967, the Sweet Inspirations sang backup for Van Morrison on his famous song "Brown Eyed Girl". This song was released in June 1967 and reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 music charts. In 2007, Van Morrison received an award for "Brown Eyed Girl" because it had been played on the radio over 8 million times!

The Sweet Inspirations recorded their own music for the first time in April 1967 with Atlantic Records. They released two songs: "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)" and "Let It Be Me". Even though these first songs weren't huge hits, Atlantic Records believed in the group. In August 1967, they recorded more songs in Memphis, Tennessee. These songs became their first album, called The Sweet Inspirations, released later that year.

Within a month, the group started working on their second album. This was a gospel record called Songs Of Faith & Inspiration. It came out in 1968 under the name "Cissy Drinkard & The Sweet Inspirations."

On March 30, 1968, the group had their first and only song to reach the top 40 on the Billboard Pop Chart. This song was "Sweet Inspiration" and it peaked at number 18. At this time, the group included Cissy Houston, Estelle Brown, Sylvia Shemwell, and Myrna Smith.

In 1967, the group also sang backup for Jimi Hendrix on his song "Burning of the Midnight Lamp". This song later appeared on his 1968 album Electric Ladyland. They also sang on Dusty Springfield's album Dusty in Memphis.

After their gospel album, the Sweet Inspirations recorded their third album, What the World Needs Now is Love. This was in February 1968 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. They recorded a version of The Bee Gees' song "To Love Somebody," which became their fourth R&B chart hit. They also recorded "Unchained Melody," which was a minor hit for them.

Working with Elvis Presley

In 1969, the group recorded their fourth album, Sweets for my Sweet. Around this time, the Sweet Inspirations started recording and touring with Elvis Presley. They sang backup for him and sometimes performed as his warm-up act. They also did live shows with Aretha Franklin. Their work with Elvis became very well known. He often introduced the Sweet Inspirations during his TV concerts and live recordings.

Cissy Houston's last recording session with The Sweet Inspirations was in October 1969. She wanted to start her own solo career and spend more time with her family. That session produced one of the group's biggest R&B hits in a while, "Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover." This song was on their fifth album, Sweet Sweet Soul.

Later Years and Reunions

The rest of the Sweet Sweet Soul album was recorded in November 1970. By then, Ann Williams had joined the group. She stayed for what became their last full album with Atlantic Records.

In 1973, Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith, and Sylvia Shemwell recorded an album for Stax Records. By 1979, Estelle Brown had left the group. Gloria Brown replaced her for tours, but she didn't sing on the group's last album, Hot Butterfly, which featured singer Pat Terry. The group broke up shortly after this. In 1978, the group sang backup on Frankie Valli's number one hit song "Grease." In 1979, they toured with The Bee Gees during their "Spirits Having Flown Tour."

The Sweet Inspirations (Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith, and Sylvia Shemwell) got back together in 1994. Portia Griffin joined them as a new member. They performed at Elvis Presley tribute shows and released new music in 2005. Sylvia Shemwell had a stroke in 2001, which stopped her from performing. She passed away on February 13, 2010.

In March 2010, Myrna Smith became ill with pneumonia while on tour. Her health got worse, and she suffered kidney failure and a severe stroke. She passed away on December 24, 2010.

Kelly Jones, a singer from Los Angeles, replaced Myrna Smith. March 2011|lc=y, the Sweet Inspirations continue to perform backup vocals for "Elvis: The Concert." They also do many concerts around the world with Shawn Klush, who is an "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist."

Members

• Dionne Warwick – soprano (1960–1963)
• Dee Dee Warwick – mezzo-soprano (1960–1965; died 2008)
• Doris Troy – contralto (1960–1963; died 2004)
• Cissy Houston – soprano/1st soprano (1963–1969)
• Sylvia Shemwell – mezzo-soprano/2nd soprano (1966?–1979, 1994–2001; died 2010)
• Estelle Brown – contralto/2nd alto (1965–1979, 1994—present)
• Myrna Smith – contralto/1st alto (1965–1979, 1994–2010; died 2010)
• Ann Williams – soprano/1st soprano (1969–1970)
• Gloria Brown – contralto (1979)
• Portia Griffin – soprano (1994–present)
• Kelly Jones – mezzo soprano/soprano (2010–present)

Discography

Albums

• 1967: The Sweet Inspirations (Atlantic)
• 1968: Songs of Faith & Inspiration (Atlantic)
• 1968: What the World Needs Now is Love (Atlantic)
• 1969: Sweets for My Sweet (Atlantic)
• 1970: Sweet Sweet Soul (Atlantic)
• 1973: Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia (Stax)
• 1974; Wanted Dead or Alive(Columbia)
• 1979: Hot Butterfly (RSO)
• 2005: In the Right Place (Frixion)

With Yusef Lateef

• 1968: The Blue Yusef Lateef (Atlantic)
• 1970: Suite 16 (Atlantic)
• 1970: The Diverse Yusef Lateef (Atlantic)
• 1971: The Gentle Giant (Atlantic)

Backing vocals

• 1967: Blowin' Your Mind!; Van Morrison
• 1967: Aretha Arrives; Aretha Franklin
• 1968: Lady Soul; Aretha Franklin
• 1968: Aretha Now; Aretha Franklin
• 1968: Electric Ladyland; The Jimi Hendrix Experience
• 1968: Goodies; George Benson
• 1969: Hey Jude; Wilson Pickett
• 1969: Elvis in Person at the International Hotel; Elvis Presley
• 1969: Dusty in Memphis; Dusty Springfield
• 1969: Do Your Own Thing; Brook Benton
• 1970: Turning Around; Dee Dee Warwick
• 1970: This Girl's in Love with You; Aretha Franklin
• 1970: That's the Way It Is; Elvis Presley
• 1970: Spirit in the Dark; Aretha Franklin
• 1970: Just a Little Lovin'; Carmen McRae
• 1971: Warm and Tender; Petula Clark
• 1971: Search and Nearness; The Rascals
• 1971: Thirds; James Gang
• 1972: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden; Elvis Presley
• 1972: Young, Gifted and Black Aretha Franklin
• 1973: Aloha From Hawaii: Via Satellite; Elvis Presley
• 1973: The Weapon; David Newman
• 1974: T.B. Sheets; Van Morrison
• 1974: Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis; Elvis Presley
• 1977: Elvis in Concert; Elvis Presley
• 1979: Reddy; Helen Reddy
• 1998: Undiscovered Soul; Richie Sambora
• 2004: Hot Fuss; The Killers
• 2006: Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert (DVD)

Charts

Albums

U.S. chart singles

See also

In Spanish: The Sweet Inspirations para niños