The King and The Sweet Inspirations: A Las Vegas Fairytale (That Wasn't Quite a Fairytale)
Elvis Presley. Cissy Houston. Two titans of music, both with voices that could make your soul weep (in a good way, obviously). But were they ever a singing dream team? Buckle up, because we're diving into the surprising truth about their short-lived Las Vegas encounter.
Cissy, Not So Impressed with the "Hip-Shakin'"
Let's be honest, Cissy Houston wasn't exactly a screaming Elvis fan. The woman practically invented gospel elegance. In her own words, she initially thought Elvis was just "some guitar-twanging, hip-twisting fellow." Burn! But hey, respect the hustle, right?
Viva Las Vegas, Baby! (For Five Weeks, at Least)
Then came 1969. Elvis was making his big return to live shows, and guess who he called on to add some extra sparkle? The Sweet Inspirations, with Cissy at the helm! For five glorious weeks, they took their gospel chops to Sin City, backing The King himself. Imagine the sequined jumpsuits, the electrifying atmosphere, the sheer audacity of it all.
Cissy Steals the Show (Accidentally)
Apparently, Elvis wasn't just impressed, he was downright tickled. During one performance of "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" Cissy belted out a particularly soaring soprano note. Elvis, bless his heart, couldn't hold back a laugh, and the whole thing became an underground legend among Elvis fans. Just picture it: The King cracks up on stage, all thanks to Cissy's powerhouse vocals. Now that's a story to tell the grandkids.
The End of an Era (But the Beginning of a Legacy)
Sadly, this Las Vegas fling was a brief but beautiful moment. Cissy decided to focus on her solo career (good on her!), and The Sweet Inspirations continued with Elvis for a bit longer.
So, How Long Was Cissy Houston With Elvis?
The answer? A whirlwind five weeks. Not quite a duet for the ages, but a memorable collaboration nonetheless. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most iconic partnerships happen in the unlikeliest of places, with a dash of laughter and a whole lot of soul.
