Elvis Presley's 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Gifted To Back-Up Singer Myrna Smith.
This 1975 Cadillac Eldorado represents an iconic piece of rock n' roll history, as the vehicle was originally purchased and gifted by Elvis Presley himself. On July 30, 1975, Elvis famously bought 14 Cadillacs, the single largest vehicle purchase he ever made. Those Cadillacs were gifted to his friends and colleagues, and among these cars was this striking blue Eldorado. The Cadillac was gifted to Myrna Smith, Elvis's dear friend and a member of the King's legendary backup singers, The Sweet Inspirations (which also included Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston).
The Cadillac is featured in the documentary 200 Cadillacs, including an interview with Myrna Smith detailing the evening Elvis bought her the car. One night in Memphis, Elvis and Myrna were exploring the Madison Cadillac dealership after hours when Elvis asked Myrna, "What is your favorite color?" Noticing his blue eyes, she replied, "Blue." Using a flashlight, Elvis located this blue Cadillac in the closed dealership and purchased it as a special gift for her. Myrna personalized the Cadillac with the Tennessee license plate LDYBLU ("Lady Blue") and proudly drove the vehicle throughout the time she performed with Elvis.
Starting in 1969, Myrna and The Sweet Inspirations accompanied Elvis during his celebrated Las Vegas residencies and nationwide tours until his passing in 1977. Myrna has since passed away, but her official Facebook memorial page prominently features a rare photo of her with Lady Blue.
In 200 Cadillacs, Myrna fondly recalls the car as a heartfelt symbol of Elvis's generosity and friendship. The Cadillac's ownership transferred to Myrna's husband, Jerry Schilling, a trusted confidant of Elvis and member of the close-knit Memphis Mafia. After Schilling, the Eldorado was acquired by New England-based rock band manager Peter Lembo, and subsequently purchased by Fred Bramante, founder and former CEO of Daddy's Junky Music Stores, a prominent East Coast music retail chain active for 39 years.
At the 20th anniversary of Elvis's passing during Elvis Week 1997, Fred spoke with Myrna backstage at the Memphis Mid-South Coliseum for the groundbreaking event, Elvis in Concert '97, a concert that featured archival video footage of Elvis's performances, accompanied live on stage by over 30 of his former bandmates and collaborators (including The Sweet Inspirations and the TCB Band) along with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. This performance marked the first time a deceased performer headlined a live concert tour, setting a precedent in the music industry that would influence future posthumous performances and tributes.
NBC in New York had planned to reunite Myrna with Lady Blue and had discussions with both Fred and Myrna about this possibility. Unfortunately, according to Myrna, the story was ultimately shelved (along with hundreds of other segments) during the media's intense focus on the O.J. Simpson trial. Despite the canceled television segment, Fred and Myrna still had the opportunity to connect backstage and discuss the Cadillac.
In 1999, the Cadillac was restored by inmates participating in the Auto Body Technologies Program at the New Hampshire State Prison, a project that local media dubbed "New Hampshire's Jailhouse Rock."
After restoration, the Cadillac was exhibited publicly at various car shows, displayed in a rock 'n' roll museum, and showcased at Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire during performances by Las Vegas Elvis impersonator Matt Lewis.
Today, Lady Blue remains under Fred Bramante's care, bearing the license plate “ELVIS-1." The car was last serviced by the Manchester School of Technology in 2022. Their assessment indicated that the vehicle requires a thermo vacuum switch and likely a new battery to become operational. Additionally, the car is missing the chrome rocker panels on both sides and a Cadillac emblem from the vinyl roof.
With relatively minor attention, this car will be ready to attract fans of the King in showrooms anywhere. The Cadillac continues to resonate deeply with Elvis fans, representing the King's enduring legacy of generosity. Long Live the King!
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