Elvis' catfish remark

[Steamroller Blues]

Hi guys,

Is anyone here familiar with the story of two of the members from the Sweet Inspirations walking off stage because Elvis said there breath smelt like catfish.
Does anyone know more to this story and what concert did it occur.

[Vegas69]

I hears or read story but i dont remmeber what concert or whole happen.

[dstrattenfan]

Hi guys,

Is anyone here familiar with the story of two of the members from the Sweet Inspirations walking off stage because Elvis said there breath smelt like catfish.
Does anyone know more to this story and what concert did it occur.

I asked that same question when I first joined this forum...Apparently some took it as a racist comment bc back in the day I guess black ppl eat catfish w/ onions OMG it sounds even dumber when u type that out lol....I really think that was blown out of portion.....Merna was one of the only ppl Elvis trusted w/ Lisa so I'm kinda inclined to believe that buy and large he was NOT racist....Elvis is an easy target for ppl to make fun of and bullies tend to pick on ppl who cant defend themselves...I'm white as a sheet but I'm southern now I dont eat things like pigs feet but boy o boy my grandma would tear it up lol and she liked Chileans (pig intestines) bc she was raised poor and on a farm...She had 8 brothers and 1 sister and by grandpa was a coal miner....they had no money so they ate what they could which would be basically the same as black ppl

[boogie]

Was at Nortfolk concert july 1975

[dstrattenfan]

Was at Nortfolk concert july 1975
yep here is a link to the story
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/ccshowrev29.html

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/presley3.asp

[Tigerman1975]

I dont think he was talking in his right mind then. From what I understood, Myrna was the only one of the Sweets who stayed on the stage. He did the same thing to Kathy Westmoreland. Now if he truly meant what he said to them I dont think any of them would have stayed until 77.

[Albert]

In the Concert Years book this is written about the event:

.....just afterwards jhe said to the Sweet Inspirations that they smelled like they'd eaten catfish. The colored trio didn't smile at the comment, which referred to a type of food that was eaten a lot by poor blacks in the southern states.

Later, during the introduction of the musicians and singers, he spoke to the Sweet Inspirations and Kathy Westmoreland, off-microphone, saying that he was not happy with their effort during this show, and finishing by saying -into the microphone if you don't like the way I introduce you, get off the pot". He dropped the introduction of the Inspirations and started to introduce James Burton.

Then Kathy runs off stage, closely followed by Estelle Brown. Right afterwards Sylvia Shemwell also runs after the other 2 while the third member of the Sweet Insipriations, Mytnia Smith, remained alone.

Elvis continued the show as though nothing had happened, but it was still clear that the episode bothered him. LAter during the show he want over to the remaining Sweets, Myrna Smith, and wanted to give her a ring, but Myrna refused to receive it. "Take it, take it" pleaded Elvis and in the end she accepted the figt (she tried to give the ring back after the show, but Elvis refused to take it and Myrna continued wearing it). Both the Sweet Inspirations and Kathy Westmoreland were back during the next day's concert in Greensboro.

[dstrattenfan]

I dont think he was talking in his right mind then. From what I understood, Myrna was the only one of the Sweets who stayed on the stage. He did the same thing to Kathy Westmoreland. Now if he truly meant what he said to them I dont think any of them would have stayed until 77.
I agree he was so out of it

[Brian Quinn]

Storm in a teacup.

Brian

[Tigerman1975]

Storm in a teacup.

Brian

What does that mean Brian?

[Brian Quinn]

What does that mean Brian?

Much to do about nothing. Elvis' comment was blown out of all proportion.

Brian

[KPM]

I think at times what Elvis thought was funny-may not have been so funny to others and in this case....it just took a totally unexpected turn.
I do not think for a moment that he had any racial slur in mind-but it came out that way and it caused a problem.

[dstrattenfan]

I think at times what Elvis thought was funny-may not have been so funny to others and in this case....it just took a totally unexpected turn.
I do not think for a moment that he had any racial slur in mind-but it came out that way and it caused a problem.
When ur on heavy stuff like he was u kinda talk out of ur head and usually u dont even remember what u have said or done I think thats what happened I think he was on mars he certainly wasn't on the planet w/ the rest of us

[sasha]

On this remark: Who says it was racial or a slur ? Besides the obvious ones. I don't like the smell of fish cooking or on someones breath . However, I like to eat fish and never considered fish any race or class food. In fact, quite the opposite .To go for a nice fish dinner will cost plenty. To get some of my family to go catch some for me to cook is almost impossible. ;)Maybe more was said that wasn't heard or maybe they were all tired , fed up and ready to get that show over and go home. It seems to me, we stir up all some of this ourselves. Like "fat Elvis, Jumpsuit Elvis, Peanut butter Elvis." I've just read some articles from 1979 written by several people that were around Elvis many times. The peanut butter joke has been with us a long time. As much as this one was around, he says he never saw Elvis eat much at all-- and no peanut butter sandwiches.

[KPM]

Is there an audience recording of this remark? I know I have heard some audience things where you can tell he is over-medicated to the extreme-and others where he sounds totally normal. Reading it is one thing-but if we could hear it.... the tone/intent question might be filled in a little better.

[rickb]

I think the comment about Cathy was most inappropriate and probably led to the walk-off, more so than any perceived racial slur from the catfish line. Still, an example that not all was well with our man. September-October '74 was the only other time he regularly spoke out of turn on stage.

[dstrattenfan]

Is there an audience recording of this remark? I know I have heard some audience things where you can tell he is over-medicated to the extreme-and others where he sounds totally normal. Reading it is one thing-but if we could hear it.... the tone/intent question might be filled in a little better.
KMP is there a place online other than youtube to listen to his ramblings? ..I have heard the "strung out" rant r the others ur talking about any different than that?

[rickb]

He generally sounds great on this tour from what i have heard.

[Albert]

Elvis in May-June-July was very upbeat. Even the mentioned show supposed to be a great one. I think it was just meant as a joke. A tasteless joke perhaps, but without a racist purpose.

Many times the jokes during the introductions were teasing, close on the edge. Sometimes way over the edge and very embarrassing to the targeted person (like introducing Sheril Nielsen as 'this next girl is...', or JD Sumner as "mister deepthroat", or talking about Ed Enoch "he's chasing all girls up and down the hallway", the Sweet Inspirations "they're just average", and so on). Although I can understand Elvis may have let himself carried away a bit too much, even as an Elvisfan, I find it very unprofessional and disrespectful. Writing someone's paycheck shouldn't be a free ticket to make a fool of him/her.

[sasha]

I think the comment about Cathy was most inappropriate and probably led to the walk-off, more so than any perceived racial slur from the catfish line. Still, an example that not all was well with our man. September-October '74 was the only other time he regularly spoke out of turn on stage.
I'd probably go and ask Kathy myself. Or else do as she suggests ; ;)

http://www.kathywestmoreland.us/askkathy.html
"Remember, everyone. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER believe EVERYTHING you read in black and white."

[Steamroller Blues]

Thanks everyone for all your input. I agree with Albert on this one,teasing his band mates was a usual part of the show. It just happened to backfire for him on this specific occasion. I'm still keen to hear a recording of this, how did the audience respond to the remark, did they laugh or stay silent?. Elvis on occasions definitely had a strange sense of humor didn't he.

[Raised on Rock]

Elvis in May-June-July was very upbeat. Even the mentioned show supposed to be a great one. I think it was just meant as a joke. A tasteless joke perhaps, but without a racist purpose.

Many times the jokes during the introductions were teasing, close on the edge. Sometimes way over the edge and very embarrassing to the targeted person (like introducing Sheril Nielsen as 'this next girl is...', or JD Sumner as "mister deepthroat", or talking about Ed Enoch "he's chasing all girls up and down the hallway", the Sweet Inspirations "they're just average", and so on). Although I can understand Elvis may have let himself carried away a bit too much, even as an Elvisfan, I find it very unprofessional and disrespectful. Writing someone's paycheck shouldn't be a free ticket to make a fool of him/her.

It is reported that actually that was one aspect of Elvis personality, it was not just on stage but in daily life with friends: remember who Elvis nicknamed as the Michelin Man? Elvis liked to tease people that way, and sometimes he pulshed to hard and hurted people feelings, he apologized then, usually with expencive gifts, people who knew him well understand that he didn't mean it, althought yes, probably that wasn't a very nice side of him.

Agree with you, to take that on stage was probably no the best thing in many people eyes.

But anyway, there wasn't anything racist on Elvis, it was just one of those days in which the stupid joke came out too wrong and you look like an ***. We all been there isn't it.

The girls performance that night was below standard to Elvis eyes, it was a POOR performance, POOR people (as himself back in his childhood) ate catfish etc. So... you gals smell like you been eating catfish as, you sound so poor tonigh, blabla... stupid joke, and now is gonna be taken out of context, and now I'll look as a racist jerk even 40 years after I die, oh well it happens. Blush, have a ring, ah **** it, no big deal anyway.

YES, professionall wise, he shoud avoided the whole scene and speak to them privately and politely off mike if he wasn't happy with their job. But no big deal anyhow.

[Tigerman1975]

Much to do about nothing. Elvis' comment was blown out of all proportion.

Brian

Thanks Brian. I wasnt familiar with that saying.

[KPM]

No.... but You tube has many things I have never heard that pop up and disappear-just wondering if anyone has ever heard this particular concert anywhere.
I have heard the "strung out" tirade actually on the radio one time a few years back when a local set of the DJs recorded it off the internet......but they mislead the public-and told them it was "from one of his last concerts in Vegas about a month before he died"
I called in and told them it was from 1974 and they were misleading the public-they laughed and said...."it makes a better set up"
They played only the yelling and the cussing about being strung out on heroin......none of his patter about karate or normal things during the show.
It was portrayed as he was a "madman" for the whole show-which having heard the whole show I did not think it was a proper accurate portrayal.
They played no music from the show-(which was pretty normal) they only played the worst part.... just the tirade about the rumors Elvis had heard around the hotel.
They presented this during their sweeps week....for ratings.....bugged the he77 out of me.

[Steamroller Blues]

I appreciate the time everyone has made to reply to my question. After reading further into the story about this show, I think the comment he made to Kathy was much more harsh than the catfish remark ,which was I think meant to be taken as a joke.

[Awickedreigndrop]

I appreciate the time everyone has made to reply to my question. After reading further into the story about this show, I think the comment he made to Kathy was much more harsh than the catfish remark ,which was I think meant to be taken as a joke.

I agree with you after reading all the facts about the matter.