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Lisa Fischer

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Lisa Fischer
Fischer in 2023
Fischer in 2023
Background information
Birth nameLisa Melonie Fischer
Born (1958-12-01) December 1, 1958 (age 65)
New York, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1983–present
LabelsElektra
Websitelisafischermusic.com

Lisa Melonie Fischer (born December 1, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She found success with her 1991 debut album So Intense, which produced the Grammy Award–winning hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain".[1] She has been a back-up singer for a number of artists, including Sting, Luther Vandross, and Tina Turner, and she toured with The Rolling Stones from 1989 to 2015.

Early life

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Lisa Melonie Fischer was born in the Fort Greene neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn.[2] Fischer's mother gave birth to her at age 16 and had a total of three children by the time she was 19. Fischer has fond memories of singing with her mother (a homemaker), her father (a warehouse worker and security officer), and her two younger brothers.[3] She attended The High School of Music & Art in Manhattan.[4] When Fischer was 14 her father left the family and when Fischer was 17, her mother died.[5]

In an interview with Christian Wikane of PopMatters, Fischer stated she was influenced by Freda Payne, Marvin Gaye and Melba Moore, and others early in her childhood.[6] In the years before launching her solo mainstream career, she noted significant influence from the black LGBT community,[7] particularly in developing a stage image with adventure, quality, and beauty.[7]

Career

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1983–1989: Xēna and The Rolling Stones

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In 1983, under the stage name "Xēna", Fischer released the b-boy classic "On the Upside".[8] In 1984, a club track she recorded titled "Only Love (Shadows)" was briefly featured in the motion picture Beat Street [9] and was later released in 1995 as part of the Hot Productions' The Best of Criminal Records compilation. However, Fischer began her music career supporting other artists providing backing vocals for artists including Melba Moore and Billy Ocean. She worked with many other famous singers, both as a session vocalist and sideman. She accompanied Luther Vandross whom she met through the mutual acquaintance of choreographer Bruce Wallace, who asked her to come to his agency for an audition.[10] Fischer then traveled as a backup singer on his tours and sang on his albums until his death, in addition to other famous musicians, including Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass, and Roberta Flack.[11]

Fischer maintained her career as a session singer, and has accompanied The Rolling Stones on tour since 1989.[12] She worked as a backup vocalist during the same period for Luther Vandross for the 22 years prior to his death[13] alongside friend and collaborator Ava Cherry,[14] juggling his concert tours and those of The Rolling Stones, with whom she grew an audience playing the foil to Mick Jagger onstage. During tours with the Rolling Stones, she shares lead vocals on several songs, including "Monkey Man, and "Gimme Shelter", which showcase her vocal talents.

1990–1994: So Intense

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Fischer's solo career peaked with the 1991 release of "How Can I Ease the Pain" from her album So Intense, reaching Number One on the R&B charts, and winning a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1992.[15] The album spawned three Top 20 R&B hits, and peaked at #5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #100 on the Billboard 200 chart. Asked about the inspiration for her album, Fischer replied "I wasn't deep in search of a record deal, it was just one of those things...". In the movie 20 Feet From Stardom, Fischer's Grammy award for her hit single collects dust on a shelf. Fischer said she "just doesn't know what to do with it".[16] Although Fischer earned success with her first album, a follow-up solo studio album was not released because an attempt to create a second album failed due to "energy shifts".[17]

Fischer recorded on various projects including providing lead vocals on the power ballad "Colors of Love" featured on the soundtrack for the film Made in America.[18] Fischer says a contributing factor in her decision to discontinue her solo career following the release of her debut album was her fondness for backing vocalist rather than a solo artist.[19] In a 2013 article, Fischer compared back-up singing to a "tuning fork",[20] and noted she rejected the idea of dissatisfaction and the theory of always aspiring for something more while creating music and supporting other artists.[21] In 1992, Fischer traveled to Japan to perform in the Earth Voice Concert with Lee Ritenour, Phil Perry, Bobby Caldwell, Brenda Russell, James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Anita Baker, and others. During the concert, Fischer sang her 1991 hit "How Can I Ease The Pain", and provided backing vocals for her fellow musicians.

1996: Theatre

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In August 1996, Fischer made her theatre debut in the off-Broadway play Born to Sing! chronicling the life and career of the fictional gospel superstar, Doris Winter.[22] The final installment of the Mama, I Want to Sing! trilogy featured Fischer in the starring role of Doris Winter, and followed the character as she assembled a company of fellow singers for a global World Peace and Harmony Tour.[23]

1996–2013: Backup singing

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Fischer performing in 2008

Fischer continued to work on music, doing background vocals and writing songs for other artists, including Anane Vega.[24] Fischer toured with Tina Turner on her Twenty Four Seven Tour. It was the worldwide top-grossing tour of 2000. Lisa was featured in an April 14, 2008 issue of Jet Magazine′s "Where Are They Now?" column.[25] In 2009, Fischer completed touring with Tina Turner on her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, and is featured on Turner's live DVD-CD titled Tina Live. In the performance of Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, Fischer and Turner sang "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" together; after Turner left the stage, Fischer completed the song solo.

Fischer sang on Sting's album If on a Winter's Night... as a backing vocalist. In September 2009, Sting and his band with Fischer performed in Durham Cathedral. The rehearsals as well as the concert are available as a DVD. The behind-the-scenes documentary surrounding the event was produced jointly by the BBC, and was screened on December 29 that year. She appeared at the 2010 CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. She toured with Botti through 2010,[26] including appearing nightly as guest vocalist during the trumpeter's annual holiday engagement at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York city. She remained a guest artist with Botti's band in 2011,[27] and continued to appear at their 2012 concerts.[28]

In 2012, she joined the Rolling Stones for their 50 & Counting Tour in October 2012, and toured globally with the band until July 2013. The band announced a follow-up tour 14 On Fire scheduled to start in February, including dates in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe in summer 2014, and Australia in fall 2014.[29]

In 2013, Fischer joined the rock band Nine Inch Nails as a backing vocalist for their Tension 2013 tour.[30][31]

2013–2014: 20 Feet from Stardom

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Fischer singing with Jagger and The Rolling Stones during their Fifty and Counting Tour, in Boston Mass., June 12, 2013

Fischer is one of the artists featured in the Oscar-winning documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom (2013),[32] which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on June 21, 2013.[33] The documentary highlights back-up singers by archiving the oral histories of artists like Merry Clayton and Darlene Love and their experiences within the American music industry.[34] The film earned the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Music Film, with the award presented to the featured artists as well as the production crew.[35]

In 2014, Fischer re-united with many of the back-up singers in 20 Feet From Stardom including Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, and Judith Hill to sing the national anthem at the 100th Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.[36]

2014–present: Solo career

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Fischer performing with JC Maillard in 2016

In 2014, Fischer began her solo tour accompanied by her band Grand Baton,[37] performing across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.[38][39][40][41] That same year, a press release announced Fischer would collaborate with performer Billy Childs on a studio project about Laura Nyro.[42] 2015, returning to her solo career, Fischer sold out six consecutive shows at The Jazz Standard in New York City.[43]

In 2015, she, along with her musical director, the composer, arranger, and pianist JC Maillard, collaborated with choreographer Alonzo King to create the music/dance ensemble piece entitled The Propelled Heart for the Alonzo King LINES Ballet.[44] The Propelled Heart premiered at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on November 6, 2015.[45] In September 2017, Fischer reprised her role in The Propelled Heart at the Kwai Tsing Theatre in Hong Kong.[46] The program returned to the SF Bay Area's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in November 2017 in honor of the 35th Anniversary of LINES Ballet.[47]

In addition to her collaboration with King, in 2016, Fischer provided vocal performances on three Grammy nominated projects[48] including Louie Vega Starring...XXVIII with Louie Vega and The Elements of Life;[49] Sing Me Home with Yo-Yo Ma, The Silkroad Ensemble, and Gregory Porter;[50] as well as New York Rhapsody with Lang Lang and Jeffrey Wright.[51] In February 2018, Fischer's vocal performances were featured in the HBO Film presentation Notes From The Field written and produced by playwright Anna Deavere Smith.[52]

Fischer and Grand Baton partnered with The Seattle Symphony for their program Just A Kiss Away in February 2018 in which rock music anthems such as The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" were re-created orchestrally.[53] The orchestral arrangements were composed by Chris Walden.

Discography

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Main article: Lisa Fischer discography
Albums

Tours

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Year(s) Tour Artist(s) Role
1985 I Feel for You Tour Chaka Khan Backing Vocalist
1985–1986 The Night I Fell in Love Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
1987 Give Me the Reason Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
1988 Any Love World Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
1989–1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
1990 Best of Love Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
1991 The Power of Love Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
1993–1994 Never Let Me Go World Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
1994–1995 Voodoo Lounge Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
1997 Your Secret Love World Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
1997–1998 Bridges to Babylon Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
1999 No Security Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
2000 Twenty Four Seven Tour Tina Turner Backing Vocalist
2001–2002 Take You Out Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
2002 BK Got Soul Tour Luther Vandross Backing Vocalist
2002–2003 Licks Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
2005–2007 A Bigger Bang Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
2008–2009 Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour Tina Turner Backing Vocalist
2010–2012 Chris Botti Tour Chris Botti Lead Vocalist
2012–2013 50 & Counting Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
2013 Louie Vega & The Elements of Life (EOL) Louie Vega Lead Vocalist
2013 Tension 2013 Nine Inch Nails Backing Vocalist
2014 14 On Fire Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist
2014–Present Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton Tour Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton Lead Vocalist
2015 Zip Code Tour The Rolling Stones Backing Vocalist

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work Result
1992 Soul Train Music Award Best New Artist So Intense Nominated
1992 Soul Train Music Award Best R&B/Soul Single – Female "How Can I Ease the Pain" Won
1992 Soul Train Music Award Best R&B/Soul Album – Female So Intense Nominated
1992 Grammy Award Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "How Can I Ease the Pain" Won
1992 Grammy Award Best R&B Song "How Can I Ease the Pain" Nominated
2014 Grammy Award Best Music Film 20 Feet from Stardom Won

Filmography

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Year Film Genre Role
2008 Shine a Light Documentary Herself
2013 20 Feet from Stardom Documentary Herself
2017 Every Night's a Saturday Night Documentary Herself
2017 The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers Live at The Fonda Theatre 2015 Documentary Herself
2018 Notes From the Field Television Film Performer & Composer

Theatre

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Year Show Role Notes
1996 Born to Sing! [54] Doris Winter Union Square Theatre[55]
August 1996 – January 1997

References

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  1. ^ "Lisa Fischer Grammy nominations and wins". Grammys official website. July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  2. ^ Larry Katz/Admin (June 17, 2014). "Lisa Fischer: Star in the Sidelines". Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  3. ^ Barnes, Brooks (June 7, 2013). "The Voice Behind Mick (and Others)". The New York Times. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  4. ^ Nowlin, Rick. "Music preview: Lisa Fischer steps into the spotlight," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (October 8, 2015).
  5. ^ "Where is Lisa Fischer's Backup? — Death, Sex & Money". WNYC.org. March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  6. ^ Wikane, Christian (June 17, 2013). "The Women of '20 Feet from Stardom': Lisa Fischer". Popmatters. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Del Mar, Pollo (April 10, 2015). "Grammy-Winner Lisa Fischer: A Gay Man Changed the Way I Look at Myself". www.huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  8. ^ Ed Symkus (March 28, 2016). "Strutting her own stuff: Veteran backup singer Lisa Fischer leaps to the fore". Newton TAB Wicked Local Newton. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  9. ^ "Storied backup singer Lisa Fischer on claiming centre stage". CBC Studio q. January 29, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  10. ^ Larry Katz (June 17, 2014). "Lisa Fischer: Star in the Sidelines". Over My Shoulder Foundation. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  11. ^ Kelly McCartney (October 2, 2014). "A Lesson and a Gift: An Interview with Lisa Fischer". The Journal of Roots Music: No Depression. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  12. ^ Leslie Ventura (February 17, 2016). "Grammy Winner and Backup Singer Lisa Fischer Talks Touring with The Rolling Stones and as a Solo Artist". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  13. ^ Anna Sale (March 11, 2015). "Where is Lisa Fischer's Backup?". Love, Sex & Money. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  14. ^ Wikane, Christian John (June 17, 2013). "The Women of '20 Feet from Stardom': Lisa Fischer". PopMatters. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  15. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years. London: Reed International Books. p. 494. CN 5585.
  16. ^ 20 Feet From Stardom. Dir. Morgan Neville. Perf. Lisa Fischer and Darleene Love. Gil Friesen Productions, 2013. Netflix/ 20 Feet From Stardom. Web. June 6, 2014.
  17. ^ "Alonzo King, Lisa Fischer team up for world premiere". Mercurynews.com. October 25, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  18. ^ "Original Soundtrack Made in America [Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  19. ^ "Lisa Fischer — Bio". Lisafischermusic.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  20. ^ "Spotlighting Background Singers In 'Twenty Feet From Stardom'". NPR.org. June 11, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  21. ^ Brooks, Barnes (June 7, 2013). "The Voice Behind Mick (and Others)". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  22. ^ Howard Waxman (August 12, 1996). "Review: Born to Sing!". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  23. ^ Anthony Tommasini (August 12, 1996). "Voices Revel In the Joys Of Singing". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  24. ^ "LexisNexis® Academic & Library Solutions". Lexisnexis.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  25. ^ "CBSi". FindArticles.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  26. ^ Rachael Recker (March 5, 2010). "Chris Botti overwhelms DeVos Hall audience with high-energy show". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  27. ^ Bissme S. (December 12, 2011). "Sounding his trumpet". The Sun Daily. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  28. ^ "Jazzfest Reviews: Thursday June 28". The Ottawa Citizen. June 29, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  29. ^ "The Rolling Stones announce 14 On Fire Australia / New Zealand Dates". Rolling Stone. December 3, 2013. Archived from the original on August 30, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  30. ^ Isabelle Champagne (September 28, 2013). "Nine Inch Nails Announce New Bassist Pino Palladino and R&B Backup Singers Sharlotte Gibson and Lisa Fischer Added to Touring Lineup". mxdwn.com All That Matters in Music. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  31. ^ nine inch nails. "Tension 2013: Alessandro Cortini, Joshua Eustis, Robin Finck, Lisa Fischer, Sharlotte Gibson, Pino Palladino, Trent Reznor, and Ilan Rubin". Twitter. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  32. ^ Christian John Wikane (June 17, 2013). "The Women of '20 Feet from Stardom': Lisa Fischer". popmatters.com. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  33. ^ Katie Van Syckle (January 28, 2013). "Backup Singer Documentary 'Twenty Feet From Stardom' Set for Summer Release". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  34. ^ A.O. Scott (June 13, 2013). "Turning Up the Voices From the Background'20 Feet From Stardom' Explores World of Backup Singers". NY Times. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  35. ^ "Grammys 2015: And the Winners Are…". Billboard. February 8, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  36. ^ Mike Cidoni Lennox (January 1, 2014). "'20 Feet' singers to step into Rose Bowl spotlight". Yahoo!. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  37. ^ Andrew Gilbert (March 31, 2015). "Lisa Fischer loving life, career, after Stardom". The Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  38. ^ Charisse Van Horn (March 28, 2016). "Rolling Stones Play Cuba While Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton Announce New Tour Dates". Inquisitr. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  39. ^ Yvette d'Entremont (October 20, 2016). "Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton back for Halifax show". Metro News. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  40. ^ Patrick McDonald (June 19, 2016). "Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2016 review: Ms Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton". The Advertiser. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  41. ^ Bill Brownstein (October 26, 2016). "Lisa Fischer raises her voice at Maison symphonique". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  42. ^ Jim Fusilli (September 9, 2014). "Laura Nyro Reimagined". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  43. ^ Karu F. Daniels (January 18, 2015). "Brooklyn Grammy Award winner Lisa Fischer returns to solo career". NY Daily News. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  44. ^ Alonzo King LINES Ballet (November 2015). "'The Propelled Heart' World Premiere With Lisa Fischer". Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  45. ^ Gilbert, Andrew (October 26, 2015). "Alonzo King, Lisa Fischer team up for world premiere". Mercurynews.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  46. ^ Natasha Rogai (September 4, 2017). "Arts review: The Propelled Heart – Lisa Fischer shines with Alonzo King Lines Ballet from Frisco". scmp.com. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  47. ^ Maxine Marshall (November 14, 2017). "Lines Ballet presents 'The Propelled Heart,' with Lisa Fischer". SFGate. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  48. ^ "59th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees". The Recording Academy/Grammy Foundation. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  49. ^ "Louie Vega Starring...XXVIII - "Little" Louie Vega | User Reviews". AllMusic. February 26, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  50. ^ "Back in the Studio". Silkroad. September 21, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  51. ^ PR Newswire (July 22, 2016). "The Magic of New York City Inspires Lang Lang on New Album New York Rhapsody Available September 16, 2016". Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  52. ^ Gwendolyn Quinn (February 24, 2018). "Playwright and actress Anna Deavere Smith's 'Notes from The Field' premieres on HBO tonight, Feb. 24". EUR/Electronic Urban Report/EURweb.com. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  53. ^ Dave Segal, Kim Selling, Rich Smith (December 6, 2017). "The Best Classical Music & Opera in Seattle: Winter 2017/2018". The Stranger. Retrieved December 7, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  54. ^ Karen Hunter (August 12, 1996). "Gospel Musical Sing! Brings in 'da Joyful Noise..." The New York Daily News. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  55. ^ Katia Lundy (November 4, 1996). "Producer/Author Vy Higginsen was Born to Sing". Playbill. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
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