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The Inspirations is a female vocal group that was formed in 1967 in New York City. Initially a group of session backing vocalists, they officially became a band when they began recording singles in the same year. The original lineup included group leader Emily "Cissy" Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith, and Estelle Brown. They achieved significant success not only with their own releases but also as backing vocalists for notable artists from 1968 until 1977. Cissy Houston left the group in 1969 and was replaced by Ann Williams, who recorded on the 1970 album "Sweet, Sweet Soul." In 1979, Estelle Brown departed, and Gloria Brown and Pat Terry joined the group. They disbanded after recording their final album, "Hot Butterfly." In 1994, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith, and Estelle Brown reunited, adding Portia Griffin as a new member. Sylvia Shemwell stopped performing after suffering a stroke in 2001 and passed away on February 13, 2010, in Los Angeles. Myrna Smith was hospitalized for pneumonia and kidney failure in 2010 and died on December 24, 2010, in Canoga Park, California.

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