In the 1970s, Elvis Presley’s backup singers understood that he frequently made off-the-cuff comments during performances. It became a problem when he started making pointed and, eventually, outright rude comments about them. His remarks were so bad during one concert that many of his backup singers walked off the stage.
Elvis Presley’s backup singers walked offstage after a comment he made about them
During concerts in the mid-1970s, Elvis made a number of derogatory comments about one of his backup singers, Kathy Westmoreland. During one show, he took shots at all his backup singers. Per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick, Elvis told the audience he “smelled green peppers and onions and that his backup singers, the Sweet Inspirations, had probably been eating catfish.”
Given the comments Elvis had already been making about Westmoreland, the Sweet Inspirations worried his words would grow more insulting.
Elvis Presley’s backup singers walked offstage after a comment he made about them
During concerts in the mid-1970s, Elvis made a number of derogatory comments about one of his backup singers, Kathy Westmoreland. During one show, he took shots at all his backup singers. Per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick, Elvis told the audience he “smelled green peppers and onions and that his backup singers, the Sweet Inspirations, had probably been eating catfish.”
Given the comments Elvis had already been making about Westmoreland, the Sweet Inspirations worried his words would grow more insulting.
- 9/13/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After thousands of live performances and years of stage appearances, Elvis Presley had his stage banter down pat. However, he once broke into uncontrollable laughter during a 1969 performance of one of his most tender love songs. This blunder has become a favorite live recording of fans of the king of rock and roll. But what caused Elvis Presley to break down on stage?
Elvis Presley laughing at a Las Vegas press conference in 1969 | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Elvis Presley cracked himself up during a performance of ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’
Elvis Presley changed the lyrics to one of his most famous songs to switch things up during a live performance at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in August 1969. “Are You Lonesome Tonight” was a hit for the king of rock and roll in 1960.
Presley recorded the love song at the end of an all-night session at RCA’s...
Elvis Presley laughing at a Las Vegas press conference in 1969 | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Elvis Presley cracked himself up during a performance of ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’
Elvis Presley changed the lyrics to one of his most famous songs to switch things up during a live performance at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in August 1969. “Are You Lonesome Tonight” was a hit for the king of rock and roll in 1960.
Presley recorded the love song at the end of an all-night session at RCA’s...
- 5/15/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.