In the world of music, Elvis Presley was more than just a superstar with an unforgettable voice—he was also a person who used his influence to stand up for what was right. While everyone knows him as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” not as many know how deeply he cared about equality. One particular moment in 1970 during a concert in Houston showed just how strong his character was.
The Houston Astrodome, a massive stadium built in 1965, was chosen as the place for Elvis’s first concert outside of Las Vegas. This event was a big deal for a few reasons: it marked a new chapter for Elvis, and it also held special significance for his backup group, The Sweet Inspirations.
This talented African-American female vocal group had a unique style that blended rhythm and blues with soul, and they couldn’t quite believe it when they were invited to tour with Elvis in 1969.
“I said, ‘Elvis Presley! What does he want us for?’” remembered Myrna Smith, one of the group members, years later in an interview.
At first, the group had doubts about how their style would mix with Elvis’s music. Elvis, after all, was a Mississippi-born singer with a mostly white audience. But all their worries faded the first time they met him. When they showed up for rehearsals in Las Vegas, Elvis, dressed in a stylish chocolate-colored suit, greeted them with his signature charm.
“Hi, I’m Elvis Presley,” he said, smiling warmly, as if they wouldn’t know who he was.
From that day on, whenever Elvis saw them, he greeted them with a friendly kiss. It was clear he valued them, not just as performers but as friends. Myrna, along with Sylvia Shemwell and the others, quickly realized that Elvis “didn’t care what color you are.”
But not everyone was thrilled with his choice to work with an African-American group. In Texas, there were still racial tensions, and some people didn’t want to see The Sweet Inspirations sharing the stage with Elvis. Before the concert at the Astrodome, word got back to Elvis that the officials suggested he “leave the black girls at home.”
This wasn’t the first time people tried to paint Elvis as racist. In 1957, a rumor circulated that he’d made a derogatory comment about African Americans—a rumor he denied, and one that had no truth to it. In fact, Elvis admired African-American culture and music and had always respected the people he worked with.
The suggestion to drop The Sweet Inspirations, however, was too much for Elvis to accept. Without hesitation, he responded, “Well, if they don’t come, I don’t come.”
Myrna shared later, “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. She was the daughter of that person. I’m sure Elvis told them, ‘And I want your daughter to drive them.’ But when it happened, we didn’t know. We learned that later.”
This simple act of standing up for his friends said everything about who Elvis was. He didn’t just bring The Sweet Inspirations to Texas—he made sure they were treated with the respect they deserved. To Elvis, they weren’t just backup singers; they were family.
The concert itself was unforgettable. Elvis sang his heart out, giving a performance that fans who attended still talk about to this day. The Sweet Inspirations were amazed at the warm reception they received from the crowd, not knowing at the time about the backstage struggle that Elvis had fought for them.
After the concert, Elvis hosted a press conference at Astroworld, where he expressed his love for performing at the Astrodome. He called the experience “a big thrill.” Elvis was dressed sharply in a blue suede jacket and black trousers.
By the time he checked out, he had 20 suitcases, three guitars, and a $1.2 million payout from just a few days of shows. But it wasn’t just the money he took with him; he left behind a powerful message about unity and respect.
Elvis had a special bond with Myrna Smith and The Sweet Inspirations, and one of Myrna’s fondest memories of Elvis goes back to that first meeting in Las Vegas. Elvis invited them to his penthouse, where they spent a relaxed evening filled with music and laughter. At one point, he asked Myrna to dance. She remembers how, as they danced, Elvis’s whole body trembled.
“It was a slow record,” Myrna said. “I don’t think Elvis had ever danced with a black woman before. His whole body was trembling. He was shy anyway, but he was just a little boy then. I saw him as part of my family.”
When Elvis died, Myrna was devastated, but her mother didn’t understand why she was so upset. “He’s not in the family. Why are you breaking up?” her mother asked. But to Myrna, Elvis was like a brother, someone she loved and respected deeply.
The Sweet Inspirations would go on to perform with Elvis in over a thousand concerts from 1969 to 1977. They played a key role in his shows, blending their harmonies with his powerful voice to create something unique. Myrna even sang with him during some of his recording sessions at Graceland, adding her voice to two albums that showcased their incredible partnership.
Tragically, Myrna passed away in 2010 at the age of 69, but the memories of her time with Elvis and the legacy they created together live on. The story of how Elvis stood up for his friends at the Houston Astrodome reveals a side of him that many might not know—a side that cared deeply about people and wouldn’t let prejudice stand in the way of what was right.
Had you heard this story about Elvis before? It’s one that truly shows his character, and it’s worth sharing with others so more people can appreciate the kind of person he was beyond the fame.
