INTRODUCING

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE UK

THE SPIRIT OF ELVIS AND THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS

 UK TOUR 2005

ELVIS PRESLEY'S ORIGINAL

FEMALE VOCAL BACKUP GROUP

FROM 1969-1977

THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS

DIRECT FROM THE USA

PERFORMING LIVE IN CONCERT WITH

THE UK'S NO.1

ELVIS TRIBUTE LOOK & SOUNDALIKE

THE SPIRIT OF ELVIS - LOUIS ROCKAFELLA

BACKED BY THE 10 PIECE

DIXIE MAFIA BAND

INCLUDING THE MEMPHIS BRASS SECTION

COMMEMORATING

ELVIS PRESLEY'S 70TH BIRTHDAY YEAR 2005

DIRECTLY AFTER

THE OFFICIAL ELVIS THE CONCERT EUROPEAN TOUR APRIL / MAY 2005

(Elvis on the big screen)

THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS RETURNED TO THE UK

FOR THE FIRST EVER UK TOUR

TO PERFORM WITH A LIVE ELVIS TRIBUTE SHOW !

THE SPIRIT OF ELVIS & THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS

Backed by The Dixie Mafia 9 piece Band

MAY 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE, PHOTOS & VIDEO

As seen Live in Concert - The Sweet Inspirations Up-close In Person

Sat 21st May - SURREY

Sun 22nd May - SOUTHPORT

Mon - 23rd May - BIRMINGHAM

Wed 25th May - LEEDS

Wed 26th May - LEEDS

Fri 27th May - WORCESTER

Sat 28th May - BLACKBURN

Bank Hol. Mon. 30th May - GLASGOW 

(Photo Gallery and Video to be added shortly)

ARTISTE BIOGRAPHIES,

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND TO THE SHOW 

PHOTO GALLERY & SOUND CLIPS

Please click images to enlarge

The soulful harmonies of The Sweet Inspirations have enriched recordings by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and other legends. They have collaborated with writers and producers such as Carole King, Burt Bacharach and Hal David. They've had success with R&B, gospel and pop recordings of their own, most notably in 1968, The Sweet Inspirations had their first hit single "Sweet Inspiration", which gave the group their name and also earned them a Grammy nomination.

It was this song that caught the attention of Elvis Presley, who signed them to provide backing vocals and be an opening act for his record-breaking 1969 Las Vegas engagement. His official return to the live concert stage, after the end of his Hollywood movie contract obligations. Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell, Estelle Brown and Cissy Houston (mother of superstar Whitney) made up the original group and first met Elvis when they arrived for rehearsals.

Myrna Smith recalls that first meeting with Elvis; "He walked in and had on a chocolate-coloured suit. He had a tan, and he looked absolutely gorgeous. He walked over to us and introduced himself - like we didn't know who he was! "Hi, I'm Elvis Presley." Cissy (Houston) literally fell off her stool. From then on, whenever he'd see us, it was always a kiss."

Elvis often introduced his backing group using the same phrase... "They really live up to their name ladies & gentleman, The Sweet Inspirations".

They worked with Elvis in Vegas and on his national concert tours of America from 1969 to 1977 totalling a staggering 1,126 shows, in just eight years. They also worked with Elvis' in the studio and on his last recording session at his Graceland home.

Cissy left to go solo after the first gig with Elvis. Estelle, Sylvia and Myrna soon settled on being a trio.

The three stayed together and worked with Elvis until the end of his life. After his death in 1977, they went their separate ways professionally.

Myrna remembers his talent; "He had so much energy. His voice was a lot more remarkable than it ever came off on record. He was just a much better singer than could ever be captured. Some great singers' voices are just too big. Elvis' was like that."

The trio reunited in 1994 to perform on selected shows and later added new member Portia Griffin who had previously worked with Jeffrey Osbourne for 18 years. In 1998 they toured with the official Graceland production "Elvis The Concert", (where Elvis appears on a big screen)and during April / May 2005 are touring Europe with this show again.

The Sweet Inspirations have also recorded a new CD titled "In The Right Place". A blend of 70's soul, R&B tracks plus a new updated recording of Sweet Inspiration. Since the release of the CD 2004 Sylvia Shemwell has not been able to re-join the group due to illness.

Directly after touring Europe, from 21st - 31st May 2005 for the first time in UK, The Sweet Inspirations are set to tour with a live Elvis tribute artiste, Louis Rockafella in a show  titled "The Spirit of Elvis and The Sweet Inspirations" to commemorate Elvis 70th Birthday.

Louis Rockafella known as "The Spirit of Elvis" is the UK's No.1 Elvis lookalike and soundalike and he performs all over the world with his band The Dixie Mafia. Louis has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows plus he has won multiple Elvis awards over the years for his talents. He has doubled for Elvis for the BBC documentary "There is Only One Elvis" and he is the only Elvis performer to ever work for Elvis' own record company BMG.

Most recently he appeared at the HMV store in London to officially launch Elvis' latest single "That's All Right". This was to commemorate the 50th Anniversary since it was first released in 1954 and also the 50th Anniversary of Rock'n'Roll. BMG presented Louis with a unique 24k Gold edition of the 10" single for his help in keeping the memory of Elvis alive. As a big fan of Elvis Presley he has in the past recorded a CD in the famous Sun Studios, Memphis, visited Graceland many times and even owns three strands

 of Elvis Presley's hair!

Louis Rockafella first met Myrna Smith while attending an Elvis Festival, in Portage, Indiana in 2001. Louis was one of the special guest Elvis performers, while Myrna was singing on backing vocals along with a nine piece band. As Louis was the only Elvis tribute who attended the event from outside the USA, he became quite a celebrity and very good friends with Myrna and the organisers of the event. Impressing many people who knew Elvis personally with his uncanny resemblance to Elvis' during 70's with his looks and vocal style.

It was since then that the idea came together for the first ever UK tour to include The Sweet Inspirations performing backing vocals to a fully live Elvis tribute performer. Backing them on stage will be Louis very own seven piece band "The Dixie Mafia" that includes a brass section.

The Spirit of Elvis concert recreates Elvis live in concert from 1973 to the last concert in 1977. The show is based on two 1hr performances. The Sweet Inspirations will open the show  by performing a few numbers from their latest CD, going straight into the big build up and entrance of The Spirit of Elvis live on stage. The Sweet Inspirations will then perform backing vocals. During the 2hr show, over 30 Elvis songs will be covered, including hits such as Suspicious Minds, Wonder of You and Way Down, and also big concert favourites such as Hurt, My Boy and You Gave Me A Mountain.

Louis commented on his plans for the event, "Expect the unexpected! The sensational songs, the glamorous suits and the very talented musicians. All this plus Elvis Presley's original female vocal backup group from 1969-77 The Sweet Inspirations, my aim is to bring something new to the audiences in UK, an original combination, authentic concept and truly spectacular show"

Louis Rockafella and The Sweet Inspirations will also be available after the shows to meet fans for photos, autographs, sign copies of their current CD's and answer any questions. The Sweet Inspirations spent many years with Elvis at his home in Graceland and on the road. They have many fascinating stories and experiences that they like to share with fans.

Louis said "I hope that Elvis fans all over the country will come along and meet Myrna, Estelle and Portia, who directly before "The Spirit of Elvis" tour, will be seen performing with Elvis Presley on the big screen in stadiums across Europe in front of thousands of fans. The venues we have chosen for our tour are different in the way they are more intimate, up-close and personal. Giving everybody who attends the shows chance to meet these legendary ladies, and enjoy a unique Elvis experience.There is Only One Elvis - Elvis Presley, and I hope that this tribute show helps keep the Spirit of Elvis alive."

Further detailed information ref: Louis Rockafella

EVENT LIST

A List of all bookings & Events for Louis Rockafella 2005/2006

More Sound Clips from Louis Rockafella's 3 CD albums can be heard on web page

DOWNLOADS

For Full page written references visit

TESTIMONIALS

For Louis Rockafella Detailed Biography visit

INTRODUCTION

For Louis Rockafella Awards, Achievements and Client List visit

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Or Navigate the pages on this site from selection of links above left

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU !

Please email:

louis@elvis4uk.co.uk

Louis Rockafella Official Web site: www.elvis4uk.co.uk Tel: 01704 840778 Mob: 07050 292640

 PRESS RELEASE FOR

THE SPIRIT OF ELVIS LIVES ON WITH

SWEET INSPIRATIONS UK TOUR 2005

 The women who backed rock icon Elvis Presley for eight years begin a unique tour of the UK with his number 1 lookalike and soundalike in May 2005.

The Sweet Inspirations -  who sang with the king in Vegas and on his national concert tours of America from 1969 to 1977, are making a rare visit to the UK for a unique tour with Louis Rockafella -  The Official BMG / RCA / HMV Elvis Impersonator for Elvis Presley music releases in UK.

Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell and Estelle Brown, who performed with Elvis up until his death in 1977 and completed a staggering 1,126 shows with him, in just eight years, also worked with Elvis' in the studio and on his last recording session at his Graceland home.

Louis whose tribute tour comes in a year in which Elvis records Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender and It's Now Or Never, have already topped the UK charts, will perform with The Sweet Inspirations in Surrey, Southport, Leeds, Worcester, Blackburn and Glasgow during May 2005

He said: "For me it's a dream come true sharing the stage with the brilliant trio who were ever-present for him from 1969 to 1977 - the performing period of his life that features in my own act."

Louis added: "As this is a special year for Elvis fans with the release of his 18 number ones and the 70th anniversary of his birth, I expect the concerts to be highly charged emotional events."   

The idea for the tour came when the award-wining lookalike and soundalike who performs as The Spirit of Elvis - met with Sweet Inspirations leader Myrna Smith while attending an Elvis Festival, in Portage, Indiana in 2001. Louis was one of the special guest Elvis performers, while Myrna was singing on backing vocals along with a nine-piece band.

Louis said: "Myrna's band took their name from the hit single "Sweet Inspiration", which was released in 1968 and it was this song that brought the then foursome - which at the time also included Whitney Houston's mother Cissy - to the attention of Elvis. They started touring with him in 1969 and continued to back him as a trio when Cissy left to pursue a solo career. The trio reunited in 1994 to perform on selected shows and later added new member Portia Griffin who had previously worked with Jeffrey Osbourne for 18 years. In 1998 they toured with the official Graceland production "Elvis The Concert", (where Elvis appears on a big screen)and during April / May 2005 are touring Europe with this show again"

End