You may not have heard of Lisa Fischer but you’ve heard her. You remember. Halfway through the Rolling Stones ‘Gimme Shelter’, that insanely powerful female voice comes out of nowhere and completely upstages the Rolling Stones – that’s (NOT) Lisa Fischer (see comments below).
If you’ve ever been listening to the Rolling Stones, Chaka Khan, Chris Botti, Tina Turner, Sting, Luther Vandross, Nine Inch Nails, or dozens of other bands and suddenly heard a backup singer that send chills up your spine, that was probably Lisa Fischer.
A great documentary film called “20 Feet From Stardom” came out a few years ago and tells the story of a small cadre of THE female backup singers that we’ve all heard on countless recordings. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth NetFlix’ing.
Since “20 Feet From Stardom” came out, Lisa Fischer has stepped out front into the spotlight, and has been touring with her own band Grand Baton. I saw her two summers ago and both she and her band blew me away – an amazing show.
On April 1, Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton are coming to Newton North for a fundraising concert for Historic Newton. The ticket prices start at $55 and go up from there so it may be a bit rich for my budget this time around. If you’ve never seen her though, do it! You won’t be disappointed and you’ll be helping a great organization – Historic Newton.
in the meantime … shop at Whole Foods’ Newton stores today and 5% of net sales will go to HistoricNewton.
in the meantime … shop at Whole Foods’ Newton stores today and 5% of net sales will go to HistoricNewton.
Wish I could afford to go – she’s amazing! And for anyone who hasn’t seen 20 Feet to Stardom, it’s a fantastic movie and view of the unheralded singers who make such a difference to the songs we love.
Wish I could afford to go – she’s amazing! And for anyone who hasn’t seen 20 Feet to Stardom, it’s a fantastic movie and view of the unheralded singers who make such a difference to the songs we love.
The movie was amazing and Lisa Fischer is a superstar, BUT that is not her on the studio version of “Gimme Shelter.” It’s Merry Clayton (also in the movie). (Lisa Fischer has done the live version for a long time now though.)
The movie was amazing and Lisa Fischer is a superstar, BUT that is not her on the studio version of “Gimme Shelter.” It’s Merry Clayton (also in the movie). (Lisa Fischer has done the live version for a long time now though.)
@Karen Wise – Thanks for setting me straight.
@Karen Wise – Thanks for setting me straight.
Here’s the detail of the real story (thanks Karen & Steve Siegel). A pregnant Merry Clayton was home in bed for the night when the phone rang in her LA home. Some British rock band was in the studio in LA and wanted a backup singer. She pulled herself out of bed, headed to the studio, laid down a quick three takes and went back to bed.
As Karen mentioned, Lisa Fischer then toured with the Stones and performed it live many times.
Here’s the detail of the real story (thanks Karen & Steve Siegel). A pregnant Merry Clayton was home in bed for the night when the phone rang in her LA home. Some British rock band was in the studio in LA and wanted a backup singer. She pulled herself out of bed, headed to the studio, laid down a quick three takes and went back to bed.
As Karen mentioned, Lisa Fischer then toured with the Stones and performed it live many times.
Lisa Fischer won a Grammy for her 1991 single “How Can I Ease the Pain” off her debut album “So Intense,” but wasn’t able to capitalize on her success soon enough so her next album fizzled. She also toured with Sting who was in the film. If you haven’t had the pleasure, I highly recommend you go to the performance.
The documentary won an Academy Award in 2014 for best documentary and also won many other awards. These women are also brilliant story tellers. Be sure to watch it.
Lisa Fischer won a Grammy for her 1991 single “How Can I Ease the Pain” off her debut album “So Intense,” but wasn’t able to capitalize on her success soon enough so her next album fizzled. She also toured with Sting who was in the film. If you haven’t had the pleasure, I highly recommend you go to the performance.
The documentary won an Academy Award in 2014 for best documentary and also won many other awards. These women are also brilliant story tellers. Be sure to watch it.
Here’s a wildly reimagined version of that Rolling Stones song by Linda Fischer
Here’s a wildly reimagined version of that Rolling Stones song by Linda Fischer
A special FREE screening of “20 Feet from Stardom” is scheduled at West Newton Cinema for Sunday March 20, 6 PM. Free admission courtesy of Historic Newton, free popcorn courtesy of West Newton Cinema.
Definitely go see the movie on March 20 and then go see Lisa Fischer live on April 1!
A special FREE screening of “20 Feet from Stardom” is scheduled at West Newton Cinema for Sunday March 20, 6 PM. Free admission courtesy of Historic Newton, free popcorn courtesy of West Newton Cinema.
Definitely go see the movie on March 20 and then go see Lisa Fischer live on April 1!