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Millie Kirkham, who featured as a backing singer on many classic recordings by artists such as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Jim Reeves, has died aged 91. The singer suffered a stroke last week and had been in intensive care for days before passing away on Sunday (Dec 14th) at a hospital in Nashville.

Millie was born in Nashville, Tennessee and began singing in high school in the 1940s. She is probably best known for her work with Elvis between 1957 and 1975.

Millie Kirkham with Elvis and The Jordanaires in 1966

Highlights of Millie’s work with Elvis include the distinctive high-pitched backing vocals on “Blue Christmas,” the moody intro to “Give Me the Right” and her role as a choir member on Elvis’ critically acclaimed “His Hand In Mine” and “How Great Thou Art” gospel sessions.

“Blue Christmas” – Elvis Presley

Millie also performed on stage with Elvis during his August 1970 concert season at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, which was filmed for the movie “Elvis: That’s The Way It Is”. Almost 30 years later, she was back performing with a virtual Elvis as part of the “Elvis – The Concert” show.

The interview below features Millie reflecting on her time performing with Elvis in Vegas:

Among the other artists who Millie performed with during her long career were Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Rosemary Clooney, Little Richard, George Jones, Patti Page, Les Paul and Mary Ford, and Jim Reeves.