Elvis Presley's back-up singer Margaret Ann Williams has died.

The vocalist helped the King of Rock 'n' Roll give his live shows a gospel sound by performing with soul group Sweet Inspirations, which he also recorded with in the late 1960s and '70s.

She joined the all-female band in 1969 as a replacement for Whitney Houston's mother, Cissy Houston, but left two years later and went on to sing with Aretha Franklin.

Williams passed away on 1 October (13), according to the New York Daily News. No further details about her death were available as Wenn went to press.