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during his funeral at the singer's Graceland
estate in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite the
circumstances, that funeral gig remains the
high point of Smith's long career in music.
"at's it. It's the top," he says.
e story of Smith's near-miss on the
Elvis train is a story of lost opportunity.
When Elvis' backup group, J.D. Sumner
and the Stamps, needed a piano player,
Smith was unexpectedly offered the job.
Sumner and the Stamps performed with
Presley from 1970 to 1977. Smith was set to
play piano largely during the gospel portion
of Presley's live stage shows.
e musician's dream came to an abrupt
end on Aug. 16, 1977, the day that Elvis
Aaron Presley died. Doctors have said that
Presley had a heart attack that was likely
brought on by his addiction to prescription
barbiturates.
