Pam Grier is one of the baddest actresses to have ever done it during the ’70s era of Black films. Her heroic characters represented many elements of a strong woman- she was tough as hell and could defend herself at all costs, she was independent, and of course incredibly sexy. Little did most “Foxy Brown” fans know though, she was also once hit with a health diagnosis that’s enough to bring any strong person- male or female- to their knees.

In an interview with Black Doctor, Pam described the time when her doctors told her she only had 18 months to live, after being diagnosed with cervical cancer and how she beat the odds.

Grier Describes The Trauma Of Her Diagnosis

Grier was 30 years old when she went for a routine cervical smear and her doc’ later called her to let her know abnormal cells were found in her cervix. After that, everything became a whirlwind of shocking revelations. She had surgery to remove the abnormal tissue from her cervix and was under the impression that everything was resolved. However, soon after surgery, her doctor called with more bad news:

“They couldn’t operate or start treatment for another six weeks, as I’d already had surgery and my body had gone through so much trauma. They gave me only 16-18 months to live and was told to start preparing for treatment and to organize my will. I coped from minute to minute. I went home to ponder this 2inch-thick folder [of information] they give you.”

Abandoned After Diagnosis

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Pam Grier also said that once she told her boyfriend and loved ones she’d been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, she felt abandoned:

…Her boyfriend at the time didn’t turn up for her first session of chemotherapy….“He didn’t come. He just abandoned me and I didn’t see him for another five years,” she says, without a hint of self-pity. “In 1988 the C-word meant: ‘Oh my God, you’re going to die. There is no hope.’ You learn who your friends are when you have cancer.”

How Pam Grier Overcame Stage 4 Cancer

Pam beat stage 4 cervical cancer with chemotherapy and Chinese herbal treatments that she say included Chinese practices that “taught me to drink hot tea with my food to get rid of toxins.” She’s been in remission for decades now and here’s what else she said has healed her:

Via AARP: “I saw this documentary Healing and the Mind With Bill Moyers, and it saved my life. I was at my rented house in the Valley [San Fernando Valley] one night, contemplating what my process was going to be, when it came on PBS. Moyers was visiting shamans and witch doctors and practitioners of wellness all over the world. One episode was in China, where this woman had a malignant tumor on her back, which flattens out after weeks of therapy with acupuncture and pressure and herbs and meditation. The cancer was gone and that was my sign. Literally, that night I said I would seek Eastern medicine.

I know where every Chinatown in every city is in this country. So I know where I can get herb teas and dong guai and all kinds of other roots and things I’m supposed to have as a woman to balance my chi. All I know is I followed the spiritual advice I got, and I feel much better today.”

Grier says that although she’s healed, staying cancer-free is a “lifelong process.” She now follows the green method of living, one “based on the environment – fresh well-water from the ground, fresh air, trees and plants, and wild animals,” said Grier. WOW! Continued blessings to Pam Grier on her incredible journey.

The post Pam Grier Was Given 18 Months To Live, And Shared How She Amazingly Beat The Disease appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

When Toni Braxton married Mint Condition’s then keyboardist, Keri Lewis, in 2001, it seemed like the fairytale wedding. As fans glanced at photos of their Atlanta wedding in magazines and such, little did we know, there was a lot of drama behind the scenes of the fairytale ceremony.

Keri and Toni’s marriage technically lasted for 13 years, but they separated by the 8 year mark in 2009. After separating, it seemed like there was hope for reconciliation, because they took hella long to go through with their divorce – 4 more years to be exact- and they were still very close. But they decided to make their divorce official in 2013. Now that they’ve moved on with their lives, new details behind some of the drama that took place behind the scenes have surfaced.

For years, there had been whispers that Keri’s former band members were pissed off when Keri married Toni Braxton. Now, Mint Condition’s lead singer, Stokley Williams, has confirmed that the group members were so heated, that all of them (except Stokley) refused to attend Toni’s and Keri’s wedding. They weren’t being petty for no reason though, after hearing what Stokley revealed, they had a good reason to be.

In an interview with Vlad TV, Stokley revealed that Keri and Toni B. met when they were an opening act for her back in the day. Everything was all good, until a short while later, Keri told them he’d fallen in love with Toni and therefore was saying ‘Peace out’ to the group…forever. Wow…Ms. Braxton must be a helluva woman to make a brotha decide to give up his ENTIRE career, just sayin.’

Anywho, not only did Keri’s sudden departure sting his group members -because they were like family and felt betrayed- it also briefly affected the fate of the group’s future. According to Stokley, after Keri split quicker than we could say “Unbreak my heart,” it caused Mint Condition’s signature live band sound to change.

Their fans apparently didn’t adapt as quickly to that change and it showed in record sales at that time. Therefore, their outrage was understandable, because y’all already know- family or not- when somebody messes with one’s livelihood, it does NOT sit too well in one’s soul. In fact, it’ll make a person wanna reach out and touch somebody- and not in the way that Diana meant it.

After all of the drama, Stokley ended up attending the wedding because he still wanted to represent for his Mint Condition brotha on his big day.

These days, we’re not sure if the other Mint Condition members have completely forgiven Keri Lewis, after supposedly kicking them to the curb for Toni Braxton. However, now that Keri and Toni are divorced, I wonder if Keri now regrets giving up everything for his ex. Either way…one thing’s for sure, Keri and Toni may be a thing of the past, but they’re equally proud of the two young men their sons, Denim and Diezel…so, no regrets for either of them there.

The post Mint Condition’s Stokely Revealed Why They Were Pissed When Group Member Married Toni Braxton appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Some people may be surprised to know that the late Aretha Franklin was once married to legendary actor, Glynn Turman. Franklin and Turman, who did not have children together, married in 1978, separated in 1982, and divorced in 1984.

We, Old Schoolers, know Turman for his role as “Leroy ‘Preach’ Jackson,” in the 1975 classic, Cooley High; or for playing the role of math professor and retired Army colonel, “Bradford Taylor,” on the NBC sitcom, A Different World. Turman is also known for his roles as “Lew” on the prime-time soap opera Peyton Place. In speaking with People magazine, Glynn Turman opened up about his final moments with the former love of his life, Aretha Franklin.

Glynn Turman Was Able To Get Closure With His Ex-Wife, Aretha Franklin:

As news spread that the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, was gravely ill, people all over the world began to pray. Not only was Franklin surrounded by her family members at that time, she was visited by famous friends like Stevie Wonder, Jesse Jackson, and her second husband, Glynn Turman.

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Glynn Turman And Aretha Franklin Were Married For 6 Years:

In exclusively speaking to People, Glynn Turman opened up about his fond memories with Aretha Franklin. While we knew the Queen as a woman with a beautiful voice, Turman knew her as a beautiful woman who was a wife, mother, and one of his best friends. Despite the fact that they were divorced, Turman shared that they remained friends who spoke over the years. Turman jokingly shared that Franklin was stubborn and she was fighting for her life up to the very end.

“I felt her pulse holding her frail, frail arm,” [Glynn Turman] stated about his final moments with Franklin, whom he called the “love of my life.” I was able to feel her pulse, which was strong. So she was fighting ’til the very end, he stated of the star, who died of pancreatic cancer at age 76. She’s always been a warrior — a strong, strong woman and a fighter. Her pulse told me that she was not in surrender mode. She was going to fight it ’til the end.”

While Aretha Franklin was unable to speak during their visit, Turman shared that she was conscious and aware of his presence. It was a beautiful moment as it provided closure for the former Hollywood couple.

“She did know that I was there,” Turman said. “And we were able to feed off of that recognition, feed off of the moment of both sort of realizing that time was extremely precious at this time. So it was a moment full of closure.”

It’s unclear why the couple chose to divorce, but they truly loved each other. Turman shared that he reflected on the good times with Franklin, as there were many.

“The good times were wonderful. The things we were able to share, things we were able to do together, the concerts that we were able to share,” Turman recalled. “People think of her often as an iconic singer, an iconic performer, but they don’t necessarily remember that she was a mother and a wife and someone’s lover,” he added. “There was that part that I’m glad I got to know about.”

Turman shared that he loved Franklin’s fighting spirit, her great sense of humor, as well as her independence. She was called the Queen for a reason…Aretha Franklin was not one to conform.

“She was hilarious,” Turman shared. She had a roster of jokes and could make funny situations out of situations that you wouldn’t think … were funny. At the same time, Franklin was “stubborn, stubborn as hell,” he added. “Women’s Rights Movement should have her name written all over. She just didn’t take tea for the fever, as the old folks would say. She was stubborn and hard to persuade. When she got her mind made up on something, you might as well pretty much forget trying to change it.”

Thankful for their time together, Turman shared that Aretha Franklin died knowing that she was loved by him and by the world.

The post Aretha Franklin’s Ex-Husband, Glynn Turman, Shared Their Emotional Last Visit Before Her Death appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

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Actress/comedian, Sherri Shepherd, had us crackin’ up the other day, during an interview on “The Breakfast Club.” She chopped it up about everything– from her allegedly money-grubbin’ ex-husband; her special needs son; and more. However, what REALLY caught us off guard, was when she recalled the hilarious time that Eric B. (of the legendary rap group, Eric B. & Rakim), apparently tried to entice her to have a threesome with him and his then-actress-girlfriend, who is also Sherri’s late friend.

Who’s Eric B.’s Late Ex?

In the video interview below, Sherri said Eric B. was in a relationship with the beloved actress/comedian, Yvette Wilson. Remember Yvette? She was hilarious in the “Friday” film…but she’s most known for her roles in the ’90s sitcoms, “The Parkers” and “Moesha.”

Sadly, Yvette passed away in 2012 at age 48, following a battle with cancer, but memories like the hilarious one Sherri has now revealed, will continue to help her legacy live on. Peep Sherri’s details below…

Sherri Shepherd Details Her Reaction During Eric B’s & Yvette’s Threesome Proposition

The former “The View” host reminisced about her throwback days with her good friend, Yvette Wilson. Sherri Shepherd told the “Breakfast” co-hosts about her awkwardness and naïveté in her early days in Hollywood, due to being raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household. One such awkward encounter was with Eric B. (pictured below, right) and Yvette, which Sherri admits brought her sheer terror at the time…even though she can laugh about it now…

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Sherri Shepherd: “I was a Jehovah’s witness…I was so sheltered, I never did any of that. […] I was so nerdy and sheltered and…it was a very strict upbringing. […] But I saw a lot of stuff…when I was doing stand-up and I was just so sheltered. […] People doing menage’ trois’ and all kinds of sex stuff going on and I didn’t…I didn’t know what it was! And I remember my girlfriend, she passed away, but she used to be on Mo’Nique’s show, ‘The Parkers’- Yvette Wilson. … And she was dating a rapper at the time (whom Sherri later revealed was Eric B) and I swear to God [laughs], they were in a [hotel] room one time and I had went to see her. … They called me up to the room, ’cause she was like ‘Come hang out with everybody.'”

When Sherri got to the hotel, she said several rappers were there at the gathering, including “MC Brain and all these other rappers were hangin’ out,” but then Eric B. and Yvette had her go into a separate room with just the three of them…

SS: “So she called me up and she was dating a rapper, it was her boyfriend [Eric B.]… I had two french braids in my hair, white bobbi socks, and white tennis shoes, with overalls, with the bow…that’s HOW sheltered I was.

And I remember Yvette had been drinking and they were kissing and I was sitting in the chair like, ‘Oh my God…what am I supposed to do?’ … I’m sitting in the chair and I’m watching, like ‘Oh my Gosh…oh my gosh, OHHH my Goshhhh. … And they’re just kissing …and I remember [Eric B.] looked at me and I was like, ‘What are you looking at me for?’ …My eyes were like, really wide. And I remember Yvette, she looked at me like ‘C’monnnnn, C’monnnn!!!'”

Sherri’s response was a terrified:

“Mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm…nah, my momma told me ’bout this.’ [laughs] And [Eric B.] was just staring at me. … This why I don’t like older men with these younger girls, because they don’t know nothing. You know, you got these girls who are sheltered and they’re out here in this Hollywood life and they don’t know. And I remember running to the door and Yvette was like ‘Where you goooing?!!’ And I was like, ‘I got to get on the bus and go home’ [laughs].

HILARIOUS! We knew Eric B. “would make ’em clap to this” — as in Eric B. & Rakim’s fans clapping their hands to their music — but according to Sherri, Eric B. wanted her to get tuh ‘clappin’ something else. ☺️

The post Sherri Shepherd Hilariously Recalled Time Eric B & Celebrity Girlfriend Tried Threesome With Her appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

ILOSM fam,’ a few years ago we shared excerpts with you all from actress, Pam Grier’s, 2010 autobiography, “Foxy: My Life In Three Acts,” in which she discussed her prior relationship with NBA legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. She exposed the ways he’d “humiliated” her, as a result of his Muslim beliefs and what ultimately broke them up. Well, little did we know, Kareem had a lot to get off of his chest about what Pam wrote.  So without further ado, see what the brotha had to say below…

What Pam Grier Revealed About Kareem

In her book, Pam Grier confirmed that she and Kareem were in a serious relationship for years in their 20’s. Although she says they’ve remained great friends, their relationship ended after Kareem converted to Islam and pressured her to change her life, her attire, and wear hijabs, while covering herself from head to toe. He also suddenly wanted her to marry him, give up her career, and offered her a position to be his main wife, among the other wives he was planning on marrying under his newfound faith, according to Pam. She also said Kareem embarrassed her in front of his friends when they were dating…

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Pam Grier: “One day, I awaited for my boyfriend-Kareem Abdul Jabbar in his Malibu home, he was returning from several road games and he was now a Muslim. When he came through the door with his friends (they had also converted), I ran up to hug him, he moved back, as if I had bad breath or a contagious skin disease. ‘Nice to see you, Pam,’ he said. And that was it.

Now that they had converted, they could speak to me, but there was no touching allowed. No intimate or personal conversations. In fact, I wasn’t supposed to speak to them at all, unless I was answering specific questions. I stood their awkwardly, when Kareem said in a quiet voice, ‘You’re supposed to leave the room now, Pam.’ I walked out of the room feeling upset and humiliated.”

Pam said Kareem ended up getting pissed off with her:

PG: “Suddenly, Kareem was standing at the door to the bedroom grinning, ‘Can you make us some sandwiches?’ he asked. After I made the sandwiches, he said, ‘You have to go now, you can take your sandwich with you.’

I left and walked towards Malibu beach. I changed into a halter top and cutoffs. One of Kareem’s friends saw me and called him.

Kareem was irate when I got back home, and he read me the riot act about disgracing him on the beach. He said, ‘You have to be covered. Arms, legs, and head. Only your hands can be seen.’ Needless to say, our relationship didn’t last much longer after this incident.

Pam says the final straw was when Kareem told her, “If you don’t commit to me today, I’m getting married at 2:00 this afternoon. She’s a converted Muslim and she’s been prepared for me.” 

Kareem’s Response To Grier’s Claims

In 2015, five years after Pam Grier exposed the details of their relationship’s demise, Kareem wrote a lengthy statement on Facebook. Here’s part of what Kareem said…
On his religious and personal growth since his youth:

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“Almost half a century ago I became a Muslim. Given my youth and newness to the religion, I embraced the most orthodox teachings because that’s what I was taught. But, like most people, my beliefs and practices evolved over time as I matured. Not many of us would like to be judged by our behavior in our youth. Not many of us can look back on things we said, thought, or did without cringing and wishing we could travel back in time to tell that younger version to wise up.
To set the record straight: I am still a Muslim. I have never regretted that decision. However, my views on what a Muslim is and how he or she should behave have gone through changes.”

 According to Kareem, he and Pam didn’t break up because of his religious views, even though Pam said the total opposite:

“Pam and I parted as friends, and the reason we parted was not religion-based but career-based. She was a thriving actress who needed to live in Los Angeles and I was an NBA player living in Milwaukee. Like a lot of couples, we couldn’t make the long-distance relationship work.”

He then challenged everyone reading this, to pretty much raise their hands if they’ve NEVER done anything in their 0’s that they  regret:

“…To set the record straight: I don’t agree with a lot of things that the twenties Kareem believed. […]  I no longer hold those orthodox views and haven’t for decades. […]  Christianity itself has gone through several reformations over the centuries. Do most people practice the absolute word of their holy books, or do they practice the spirit?
While I admit to have done a few jerkish things in my twenties, let he or she who is without youthful jerkiness cast the first tweet.”

And there ya’ have it ILOSM fam.’ The one thing Kareem and Pam seem to be on the same page about, is the fact that they are still friends.

The post Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Spoke Out Years After Pam Grier Said He Humiliated Her During Relationship appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

If there was a Hall of Fame for ‘Female Singers Who Bagged The Most Male Celebrities,’ Madonna’s name just might be in the running. At least it seems that way from the outside looking in. That’s not a diss though, because Madonna isn’t ashamed whatsoever about her sexscapades and good for her – hell, at least she owns up to the many notches on her belt. Anyways, see how Madonna just shocked the world with details about her and Michael Jackson.

There are a few things we learned from the  year old superstar’s interview: 1) Her limbs are still hella flexible; and 2) Her taste in men are just as flexible. Well, maybe that last one isn’t NEW news- given her many past hookups, including Dennis Rodman, Tupac, Sean Penn, Warren Beatty, and even a Jodeci singer (yep you read that right, get that scoop here), just to name a few. But check out the blow by blow details (no pun intended) she gave about what she did with MJ.

OH MY! THE ‘PROOF’ IS IN THE DETAILS

Madonna, explained thoroughly to “The Late Late Show” host, James Corden (pictured above), about her wam-bam-thank-you-mam hookups with Michael Jackson. In a nutshell, she got MJ a lil’ tipsy with a glass of wine and then it was on and poppin’ from there! MJ was tonguing her down and she was loving it. Don’t take our word for it though, see what Madonna said below:

“What was that like, a night out with Michael or a night in?” Corden asked. “So you want me to kiss and tell, then, don’t you?” Madonna replied.

Corden: “Did you kiss?”

Madonna: “Of course!”

C: “No!”

M: “Of course!”

C: “You and Michael Jackson?!!”

M: “I mean, baby, I’ve been around.”

C: “Full french kissing?”

M: “Yeah, tongue-in-mouth kissing,” Madonna said while shaking her head, with Corden in obvious shock.

Corden was in total shock that he never knew that info, then Madonna said “no one ever asks” about her and MJ, so she never talked about it…until now. HERE’S THE KICKER, THOUGH:

C: “So, hang on, so who makes the first move? You or Michael Jackson? Who leans in?”

M: “Well, I did, if you want to know the truth, because he’s a little bit shy. However, he was a willing accomplice. I DID GET HIM TO SORT OF LOOSEN UP WITH A GLASS OF CHARDONNAY AND IT DID WONDERS. IT WORKED WONDERS.”

Laaaaawd! Madonna was juicing ’em up to rub ’em down back in the day? While they’re out here investigating Bill Cosby, they might wanna do a background check on ‘Ms. Like A Virgin’ too! LOL, I joke I joke, I kid, I kid! On the flip side, Michael Jackson was hittin’ the ladies up left and right, wasn’t he? The things we’ve learned about the icon’s many women over the past few years has revealed quite an interesting bunch- they range from the average female groupie, to A-list superstars. Gotta love MJ, because apparently he didn’t discriminate.

SEE WHAT ELSE MADONNA REVEALED IN HER INTERVIEW

Madonna talks about MJ at the 10:18 mark of the video below…enjoy ILOSM family…

The post Madonna Shared Graphic Details On Her Reported Fling With Michael Jackson appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

We love us some Marvin Gaye, here at ILOSM…but by now, we’ve all heard about the many struggles that plagued the late icon’s life. Some of them were not his doing and some of them were caused by his own personal demons, as Marvin himself has even confessed. But there’s one vital part of his life that many do not know, and that is the reportedly true biological bloodline of he and Anna Gordy’s (Berry Gordy’s sister) adopted son, Marvin Gaye III. Typically, we aren’t too surprised by what we learn about Marvin anymore, but this one tripped us out.

According to historian/author, Michael Eric Dyson’s biography, “Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye,” as well as author, Steve Turner’s biography, “TROUBLE MAN: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye,” Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy had taken very controversial steps to have their son, Marvin III.

MARVIN GAYE HAD SON WITH THEN-WIFE’S TEEN NIECE, DENISE GORDY?

It has been revealed, in the aforementioned biographies, that the reportedly REAL mother of Marvin Gaye III is actually actress, Denise Gordy, 71 (pictured below), the niece of Berry Gordy and Marvin Gaye’s then-wife, Anna Gordy. Denise was said to be just 15 years old at the time of Marvin III’s birth in 1965, which means Marvin Gaye risked being jailed for statutory rape, had anyone found out back then.

Let’s not forget that Marvin Gaye did publicly date his then-girlfriend (who eventually became his wife), Janis Gaye, when she was 17 and he was 34. So, being with a not-yet-legal young lady wasn’t foreign territory for him back then. Moving on…

MEET DENISE GORDY, ALLEGED BIOLOGICAL MOM OF MARVIN GAYE III

Below is a photo of Anna Gordy’s niece, Denise Gordy – the woman who was allegedly underaged when she reportedly gave birth to Marvin Gaye III, the ‘adopted’ son of singer, Marvin Gaye, and his then-wife, Anna Gordy…

MARVIN GAYE’S WIFE FAKED HER PREGNANCY?

Anna Gordy’s and Marvin Gaye’s pregnancy/birthing scandal was supposedly pre-arranged by the couple, because Anna — who was 17 years older than husband, Marvin — reportedly couldn’t conceive by that time.

According to the biographies, Anna Gordy — with her husband’s approval — faked her pregnancy for the media and claimed that she’d given birth to Marvin III. However, years later Marvin Gaye revealed in his biography, “Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye,” to author David Ritz, that their son, Marvin III, was really “adopted.” The book released in 1985, a year after Marvin’s death. According to several reports, that’s when Marvin Gaye III learned his true identity – that allegedly: his biological mother, Denise Gordy, is not his ‘cousin’; his ‘adoptive mom,’ Anna Gordy, is his great-aunt; and his ‘adoptive father,’ singer Marvin Gaye, is his biological father…allegedly.

MICHAEL ERIC DYSON’S MARVIN GAYE BIOGRAPHY POINTS OUT THE OBVIOUS

In his biography, Michael Eric Dyson also pointed out a very interesting line in Marvin’s 1978 single, “Here My Dear,” (which Marvin also publicly admitted was written for Anna Gordy after they began having marital problems):

“You don’t have a right to use a son of mine to keep me in line […] one thing I can’t do without is the boy God Gave both of us.” – Marvin Gaye, “Here My Dear”

Dyson’s book excerpts:

MARVIN GAYE III’S (ALLEGED) FAMOUS SISTER AND HER IN-LAWS

Marvin Gaye III is actually the (alleged) biological brother of “Queen Sugar” actress, Bianca Lawson. Bianca is the daughter of legendary actor, Richard Lawson. Richard is the husband of Tina Knowles, and the step-dad of Beyonce and Solange! Ain’t that some tea…or shall we say, some “Lemonade” for ya?!!

Peep Tina Lawson having a lil’ fun with her hubby, Richard, below…

And we can’t forget the time Bianca was photographed chillin’ with her stepsister’s, Beyonce and Solange Knowles, at their parents’ wedding…

DENISE GORDY WITH DAUGHTER, BIANCA LAWSON

Richard Lawson was married to Bianca’s and Marvin Gaye III’s (alleged) mom, Denise Gordy, from 1978 to 1989. Bianca was born in 1979 and she’s 42 years old. We’re not sure if Bianca and Marvin Gaye III have a relationship today, but clearly, Bianca and her parents do…below she’s pictured with her mom, Denise Gordy…

Whew…ILOSM family, that was a LOT to unpack, was it not?!!

The post After Learning Who (Alleged) Real Mom & Sister Of Marvin Gaye’s Son Are, Many Jaws Dropped appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Myrna Smith, a member of the group, The Sweet Inspirations, sang back up for rock & roll legend, Elvis Presley. Smith had many fond memories of Elvis in which she reflected on his love for music as well as his love for black women, particularly her.

Sweet Inspirations:

The Sweet Inspirations was an R&B gospel group comprised of four members: Cissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston, Sylvia Shernwell, Myrna Smith, and Estelle Brown. While they were successful in their own right as a group with many hit recordings, the one song that stood out the song was their song, “Sweet Inspiration.” Back in the 60’s, that song had many people bopping their heads and tapping their feet.

One of the people who loved that song so much was allegedly Elvis himself. According to Elvis.com, Elvis loved the song so much that he contacted the group to have them sing back up for him. The ladies of Sweet Inspiration worked with Elvis in Vegas, on his national concert tours, and on recordings from 1969 to 1977. Aside of Sweet Inspirations, Smith sang back up for Elvis in his Graceland recordings as well. Cissy Houston left in 1969 to pursue her own solo career but the Sweet Inspirations remained loyal to the king of rock & roll.

Lovin’ The King:

In a documentary called, This Time, Smith admitted that Elvis tried to pursue a relationship with her. This isn’t too surprising, as their have been rumors that Elvis was very fond of the ladies. However, it might surprise you that Presley loved black women as he was a rumored racist. Smith dispels those rumors with her open and candid conversation about the love she shared for Elvis. In the video, Smith shared that she and Elvis were often flirty with each other, however, they worked together. Aside from them working together, Smith had a boyfriend, Gregory, that was apart of the band as well. However, that didn’t stop the King from showing Smith love and affection. Elvis’ dear friend, Jerry Schilling, loved Smith too. Unlike the king, Schilling never stopped pursing Schilling and he eventually won her over. Smith even married Schilling briefly from 1982-1987.

See Myrna Smith Discuss Her Flirtatious relationship with Elvis:

It was clear that Elvis loved his background vocalists. Elvis loved gospel and soul music. The Sweet Inspirations did a great job of blending their voices to make a soulful sound that Elvis couldn’t get enough of. Even after singing and performing in concerts, they allegedly would continue to sing and jam all night. Presley reportedly called the ladies his “church sisters”. See a video below where Elvis is having a conversation with The Sweet Inspirations and Myrna is featured in the video.

Elvis Has Interesting Convo w/Sweet Inspirations Backup Singers

Up until the day she died, Myrna Smith made a living telling old stories of Elvis and even singing as a back up singer for Elvis impersonators. Despite her financial struggles, she was determined to keep her career and her friendships with her group mates going for as long as she could. According to the documentary This Time, The Sweet Inspirations were hoping to resurrect their fortunes with the help of producer Peitor Angell, however, their fame would never be the same without the original King being alive and well. Tragically, Smith died at the age of 69 on December 24, 2010 from kidney failure. Because of Smith’s memories, we learned two things about the King of Rock and Roll: he loved black women and he was possibly not racist.

The post Elvis Loved Black Women? His Background Singer Had Quite A Tell-Tale Story To Share appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Well, well, well, we learn something new ’round these parts everyday and today is most definitely one of those days. So, most of us Old Schoolers remember Teddy Riley’s group, Wreckx N’ Effect, right? Thought so, and that also means that you remember their classic video for their 1992 hit song, “Rump Shaker.” The music video was shot on a beach somewhere and it was like a wild party, with fine ladies in swimsuits, that made you feel like you were watching a scene fresh outta Atlanta’s Freaknick spring break back in the day.

There were a few video models who stood out in that video more than others, and one of them just so happens to now be the wife of a multiplatinum selling R&B legend. She’s the young lady who was fake-playing the saxophone intro in the video and out of all the women, she had the biggest spotlight shined on her because she had the scene all to herself. The other ladies had to share their camera time.

The reason this is a tad bit surprising is because when you think of her today, she just seems like the wholesome mother type- still beautiful- but just more soccer mom, instead of sex-symbol-bikini-clad-chick-at-the-party type. So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, see whose wife is the saxophone “Rump Shaker” below…

The “Rump Shaker” Video Model Is The Wife Of…

Bam! Bobby Brown’s wife, Alicia Etheredge, is the ‘rump shaker!’ Who would’ve thought it?!!

Although Alicia’s still a nice looking woman, her video model days are long behind her, because instead she chose to work behind the scenes of the music industry and has done so for many years now. In fact, there are several fun facts many may not know about the woman Bobby B. married after his divorce from the beloved Whitney Houston. See them below…

1. Bobby & Alicia Met Long Before He Married Whitney Houston:

Although Bobby and Alicia didn’t marry until 2012 and had three kids together later in life, they met a long time ago See what Bobby revealed…

Via Access Hollywood: “We met many years ago, many years ago,” Bobby explained. “I believe I was about 18, and we were at a dance place, where people just go and work out their new moves … I met her there, and we became friends, we all hung out. Then I ended up getting married, and after me getting divorced, for some strange reason, I saw her again and sparks flew.”

2. Alicia is An Identical Twin

3. Alicia Is Bobby’s Manager & Worked With Many Other Top Celebs:

Alicia became Bobby’s manager in 2008, the following year after he and Whitney divorced. According to People, Alicia admitted that her role as manager/wife to Bobby has it’s downside at times: “Yes, there is always conflict at times that arises … and I think it’s just when the two overlap.” But overall she wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Bobby also stated that “She’s worked with Macy Gray and Magic Johnson and people like that…she’s just a brilliant lady.”

4. Bobby Says Alicia Helped Get His Passion Back:

Via People: Bobby credits a big part of his life transformation to Alicia, whom he told People in 2011 helped him get back “his passion back for music, for loving myself. I’m a better person, so I can be a better partner and father,” he said, adding, “She makes me want to live.”

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If you’ve ever seen The Five Heartbeats movie, then you probably remember “Eddie King’s” wife, “Babydoll,” who stuck by him through thick and thin. “Babydoll” a.k.a. actress, Troy Beyer, opened up about her life and a lot of horrific and great memories poured out…some of them are just outright incomprehensible and no child should EVER have to go through that. See what Troy revealed below…

I WAS BABYSAT BY WHOOPI GOLDBERG & MY MOM WAS ON ACID

A few of the interesting facts Troy revealed was about the superstar who used to be her babysitter and save her from her tumultuous home life as a child. In an interview with AreYouTheReason, Troy (56), who was born to an African American mother and Jewish father in 1964, detailed exactly what life was like for her as a kid. It wasn’t pretty by far, but her babysitter, Whoopi Goldberg (yes, THAT Whoopi), was able to help her through some of it:

Troy Beyer- “We lived next door to Alvin Alley and he advised my mom to take me to audition for Sesame Street. It was such a strange time in my life because although I was just four, in many ways I already felt like my mother’s keeper. Whoopi Goldberg, then known as Karen Johnson, was my babysitter [and] used to have to take me to Sesame Street when mom was too high off acid and opiates to get it together.”

BUT IT DOESN’T STOP THERE. TROY WAS ALSO GOING THROUGH ANOTHER TYPE OF PAIN THAT’LL BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES…

Embed from Getty Images

Repeated Abuse

Although she was having a winning career on successful on Sesame Street, Troy was losing at home- losing self-worth, losing dignity, and losing her childhood and her innocence… all at the hands of her Mom’s husband at just four years old:

T.B.- “Here I was starring in one of the most innocent childhood shows in history while being molested by my stepfather. When I look back at pictures of myself from that time on set, my solidarity is so obvious.

It didn’t take long after for me to be placed in juvenile hall after being taken away from my mother for child neglect. At that time, there were no foster homes available, so I was subjected to coexist basically with criminals. I shuffled through juvenile hall to the foster care system while constantly being by [a] psychologist. My only solace was that I loved my social worker.”

LIFE WITH BIOLOGICAL DAD WAS BETTER THAN BEING WITH HER MOM

T.B.: “In 1977, I moved to Idaho and clearly learned I was black in spite of black people clearly teasing me for being white. I loved having a normal life in comparison to past life with mom. I cannot say that my life in Idaho with my father was wonderful, but it surely wasn’t what I went through with my mom.”

Just about a decade later, Troy Beyer had found a way to turn her tragedies into triumph. She became a star by 1986, starring as the daughter of Diahann Carroll’s daughter in the Dynasty series. She went on to have several more roles, including her unforgettable role as “Eddie King’s” wife in the 1991 classic, The Five Heartbeats.

Talk about turning one’s life around and beating the odds! Troy Beyer has done just that.

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