The Sweet Inspirations
Newark R&B vocal group known for backup and own hits.
The Sweet Inspirations, an R&B vocal group from Newark, New Jersey, were formed by Cissy Houston. Their song "Sweet Inspiration" earned a Grammy nomination, making them just the third all-female group in history to achieve that milestone.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
- Genre
- Soul
- gospel
- R&B
- Years active
- 1967–1979, 1994–present
- Current members
- Estelle Brown
- Portia Griffin
- Kelly Jones
- Past members
- Cissy Houston
- Sylvia Shemwell
- Myrna Smith
- Ann Williams
- Gloria Brown
- Patricia Terry
Facts from the source article.
History
The Sweet Inspirations began at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey during the 1950s, where Emily "Cissy" Drinkard served as Minister of Music and led youth choirs. Among the young singers she mentored were her preteen nieces Dionne, Dee Dee, Judy Guions, Sylvia Shemwell, and their friend Doris Troy. Following that session and another with The Drifters, the group became professional session vocalists. Within a couple of years, Dee Dee and Troy left.
Houston replaced them with Myrna Smith, a New Hope choir member, and 17-year-old Estelle Brown, forming the nucleus of the Sweet Inspirations. The group was in high demand among producers, publishers, artists, and songwriters in the early 1960s, backing recordings by the Warwick sisters and Troy, including Dionne's debut hit "Don't Make Me Over" and Troy's only hit "Just One Look," as well as Solomon Burke's "Cry to Me," Garnet Mimms' "Cry Baby," and beginning a long tenure backing Aretha Franklin on hits such as "Chain of Fools," "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman," "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone," "Ain't No Way," "Think," and "I Say a Little Prayer."
More in American R&B Girl Groups
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