lisa fischer biography

Lisa Fischer

After four decades of featured background singing with icons like Luther Vandross, The Rolling Stones, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, and Nine Inch Nails, MS. LISA FISCHER set out to take center stage with her own humble, heartfelt song. The 2013 Best Documentary Oscar winning film “Twenty Feet from Stardom” altered the course of Lisa’s musical journey, telling her story, with clips of her legendary duets with Sting or with Mick Jagger on “Gimme Shelter”, left audiences eager to see and hear more, so Lisa took the chance to set out on her own reinventing classic songs with her co-conspirators JC Maillard and Grand Baton. Their organic fusion of Caribbean psychedelic soul and jazzy progressive rock ignited Lisa’s flexibility and freedom of expression, awakening her lifelong desire to make music that heals but still rocks the house.

While Lisa’s range is legendary, her greatest gift is the ability to connect, to reach the hearts of her listeners. Raised in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, she emerged from New York’s fervent studio scene in the early 1980s, sang for two decades with legendary vocalist Luther Vandross, and released “So Intense”, earning her first Best R&B Performance Grammy with “How Can I Ease The Pain”. She joined the Rolling Stones for their 1989 Steel Wheels tour, and continued to grace their stage for the next 26 years. Lisa’s passion for constant growth and experimentation with different styles invited recent collaborations with jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Eric Krasno, Talib Kweli, Billy Childs and YoYo Ma, the BBC Proms / Jules Buckley and the Metropole Orkest, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Anna Deavere Smith’s “Notes from the Field” for HBO, and especially her full evening program The Classic Lisa Fischer with Grand Baton and Seattle Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony and the National Philharmonic. With spiritual truth-telling as her compass and loving kindness as her guide, MS. LISA FISCHER continues her creative journey; destination unknown.

“ Lisa Fischer in concert is addictive. Every performance is so enriching, so exciting, so transcendent that you want more. With remarkable vocal range and vocabulary, Fischer can sing soul, jazz, rock, gospel, pop, folk and classical with equal facility and authority. She often mixes styles in the same song, sometimes in the same vocal line. Her approach tends to be intimate, artful and almost meditative, accompanied by her interpretive dancing, but she also can cut loose and funk with fierceness and rock with abandon. ” (Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 2016)

• She brought down the house in the single best show I’ve seen in the many years I’ve visited Birdland.”  (The New York Times)
• “Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and bask in the raw talent of an artist…a powerhouse with a monumental range.” – Daily Star
• “astonishing range, perfect intonation, mastery of the stage. Her glamorous-girl-next-door quality makes fans all over the world think she’s their own secret discovery.” (Broadway World)  

colleagues:

• “I think she’s a freak of nature, so incredibly versatile, so talented.” – Chris Botti
• “That’s a powerhouse voice. I think of her as a star. She’s a star,” – Sting
• “a great entertainer” – Patti Austin
• “Lisa’s as powerful as the rest of the guys put together. She has an amazing power, energy, and projection. She really kills it. – Keith Richards
• Lisa, you were incredible. From the first note you uttered to the last, you held us in your spell. Thank you for stepping out into the spotlight and sharing your gift with us. (Wendy Haecker, June 13, 2016)
• Absolutely mesmerizing, a phenomenal show. You are truly a once in a millennium talent and such a lovely human being (Tekneshia Beauford, June 6, 2016)
• Still reeling from the performance you and your band created last night. I am inspired beyond words. You have altered my path and I am so grateful. (Michelle Sellars, June 1, 2016)
• Two days later and I am still hearing and feeling where you all took us that evening… still inside the music you made…. thanks (Robert Downes, May 22, 2016)
• Hypnotic and passionate, thank you for an amazing evening (Gayle Welsh, May 22, 2016)
• Concert of the Year! Thanks for an evening of amazing musical wholeness. My friends in London have been notified to run and get tickets! (Kristian Valentiner, May 13, 2016)
• Worth traveling the world. Any venue, any city, any time… (Cornelius Loewenstein, May 13, 2016)

Download Promotional Photos

Rolling Stones backup singer reminisces on 26 years of performing with the iconic band

Lisa Fischer, a former touring singer for the Rolling Stones, was in Winnipeg on Tuesday, reminiscing on her experiences sharing the stage with one of the biggest rock bands of all time.

Fischer took part in a Q & A, hosted by the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, on Tuesday at the ‘Unzipped’ exhibit.

At the event, she described her first meeting with lead vocalist Mick Jagger as “kind of funny.”

“I didn’t really know much about the Stones,” she said, noting she didn’t know many of the band’s songs at the time.

She added that when she met Jagger he was “really kind. He saw me for me.”

As for what kind of guidance and direction she got from the band over the years, Fischer said she would sometimes get notes on how to perform ‘Gimme Shelter,’ which features guest vocals by singer Merry Clayton.

“[Jagger] was really sweet about giving me cues about things to try, what to do. Then just the magic of the stage and the audience and just him singing, it birthed into something for me,” she said.

Fischer said Jagger’s ability to perform, even in his 70s, is just part of his DNA.

“From what I understand, his father was a [physical education] teacher and it was really important that he stay in shape, and I think it’s such a beautiful thing,” she said.

“He’s so into just being healthy and doing the right things. Getting out and being responsible.”

One memorable performance for Fischer was performing with the Stones for 1.5 million people in Rio de Janeiro at the Copacabana Beach.

“It was insane. It was hot. It was humid. There were barricades from the hotel…When you got on the stage, even during sound check, people were already there from the night before,” she said.

Along with working with the Rolling Stones for 26 years, Fischer has performed with Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Alicia Keys, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Sting and Bruce Springsteen, among other big names.

She also won a Grammy as a solo artist in 1992 for her song ‘How Can I Ease the Pain.’

“It was such a sad love song that I think a lot of people related to,” Fischer said.

“I just felt really grateful that they chose me, and also Patti LaBelle -- it was a tie that particular year.”

Then in 2013, she was one of the artists featured in the Oscar-winning documentary ’20 Feet from Stardom.’

Fischer said it was “unreal” when the film won the Academy Award.

“I couldn’t believe it was happening. I wanted to be there, but the Stones were touring,” she said.

Fischer is a 2022 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival headliner and will be performing on Wednesday at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Winnipeg Top Stories

Premier Kinew announces byelection date for Heather Stefanson's former constituency

Pedestrian dies after being hit by vehicle along Portage Avenue: Winnipeg police

'A special bird': The unbreakable bond between purple martins and humans

Boil water advisory in RM of Gimli lifted

Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing

Winnipeggers gather at the Leg for National Rainbow Week of Action rally

Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC

Mixed emotions as wildfire evacuees are allowed to return home

Ctvnews.ca top stories.

McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'

McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.

What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains

If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.

The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary

Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.

Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'

Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'

U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.

Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband

A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.

Is that 'Her'? OpenAI pauses a ChatGPT voice after some say it sounds like Scarlett Johansson

OpenAI says it plans to halt the use of one of its ChatGPT voices after some users said it sounded like Scarlett Johansson, who famously voiced a fictional, and at the time futuristic, AI assistant in the 2013 film 'Her.'

U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.

Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.

Shopping Trends

The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.  Read about us.

Editor's Picks

13 blackout curtains for anyone who needs complete darkness to fall asleep, 17 backyard decor and furniture pieces you need before summer arrives, 20 affordable amazon beauty and skincare products you'll probably repurchase over and over again, 12 organization products that'll keep your pantry in order, here are the best, most practical patio furniture sets we found online, 18 budget-friendly products that are bound to come in handy, 15 unique father's day gifts they're guaranteed to love, 18 brilliant birthday gifts for the person on your list who is impossible to shop for, 15 birthday gifts that prove good things come in small packages, i tried 7 of the most popular eye creams on amazon canada, and here are my thoughts, our guide to the best beard trimmers in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), 13 inexpensive beauty products that feel luxurious, health & fitness, 15 of the best bike helmets, according to actual cyclists, 12 of the best pickleball sets you can get online right now, our guide to the best bike trailers in canada in 2024 (and where to get them).

Regina fire crews called in to rescue man trapped in garbage truck bucket

It was an unusual morning for Regina's Fire and Protective Services (RFPS) — a fire rescue team was called in to assist after a man became trapped in the bucket of a garbage truck.

Sask. police watchdog called in following 'serious incident' involving Regina SWAT

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has been called in to investigate an incident involving Regina's Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).

Moose Jaw street closed 'indefinitely' as police investigate crash scene

Moose Jaw police are advising the public to avoid a tract of 9th Avenue Northeast as officers respond to a collision in the area.

Environment Canada warns of potential for funnel clouds over Saskatoon

Canada’s weather service has issued an advisory about the potential of funnel clouds forming over the City of Saskatoon.

Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder

A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.

Thousands from Saskatoon Sikh community celebrate annual Nagar Kirtan parade

The Sikh culture in Saskatoon is growing, and the massive turnout at the Nagar Kirtan parade on Sunday put the strength of their community on full display, as thousands walked up a span of Attridge Drive.

Status of wildfire that threatened Fort McMurray changed to 'being held'

A wildfire that forced thousands of people to evacuate several Fort McMurray neighbourhoods last week is no longer classified as out-of-control.

Alberta wild food guide teaches others to forage for everyday ingredients

Kevin Kossowan isn't going to the grocery store to find ingredients for dinner. Instead, he's searching for them in the wild in places such forested land he owns north of Rochester, Alta.

Canucks' Brock Boeser out for decisive Game 7 vs. Oilers: coach

Canucks star Brock Boeser will miss Game 7 of Vancouver's second-round playoff series Monday against the Edmonton Oilers, according to reports.

Calgary youth slings lemonade to raise money for Autism Asperger's Friendship Society

Inflation does not appear to exist at Dane's Lemonade Stand. "No, it does not," Dane Benesh said. Monday, in Copperfield, a tall glass of his lemonade cost the same $1 it did when he started in 2018.

Family Fun Day at Genesis Centre puts focus on safety and inclusion for special-needs children

The goal at Calgary's Genesis Centre on Monday was to make sure every single kid who walked through the doors felt included.

Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges

Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.

Woman dead after stabbing in Mississauga: police

A woman is dead and a suspect is outstanding after a stabbing at a Mississauga hotel on Monday morning, police say.

'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft

The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.

Thousands come out for last day of Canadian Tulip Festival on Victoria Day

Thousands came out for the final day of the Canadian Tulip Festival on Victoria Day

St. Laurent Station to stay closed until at least Wednesday: OC Transpo

The St. Laurent LRT station will remain closed until at least Wednesday as OC Transpo continues to repair and inspect damaged ceiling tiles and concrete above both rail platforms.

Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets

Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.

Two-year-old child found unconscious in residential swimming pool near Quebec City: police

A two-year-old child was found unconscious in a residential swimming pool in the municipality of Saint-Apollinaire, in Quebec's Chaudière-Appalaches region, around noon on Monday, Quebec provincial police say.

Jury finds Andrei Donet guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing death of Montreal teen

A jury has found a 21-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Montreal teenager Jannai Dopwell-Bailey outside his school in 2021.

Man charged with firearm offences after pharmacy locked down in Meteghan, N.S.: RCMP

Police have charged a man with multiple firearm-related offences after an incident outside a pharmacy in Meteghan, N.S., last week.

25-year-old arrested after reports of man with knife at New Glasgow business

New Glasgow Regional Police have arrested a man after receiving reports of someone with a knife at a business on Westville Road in New Glasgow, N.S., on Saturday.

Area 506 Waterfront Container Village in Saint John opens for its third season

Thousands flocked to Saint John’s Waterfront Container Village over the May long weekend to see what’s new at the popular uptown location.

Sea-to-Sky Highway crash sends 2 to hospital, major delays expected

Two people were transported to hospital Monday, including one in an air ambulance, after a serious crash closed the Sea-to-Sky Highway in both directions.

B.C. mayor says drones endangering wildfire helicopter pilots, pleads for patience

The mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in British Columbia says drones are endangering helicopters being used to fight wildfires near Fort Nelson, which was ordered evacuated earlier this month.

No significant growth on wildfires near Fort Nelson, B.C.

Wildfires burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., have not seen any significant growth in the past 24 hours, according to an update from officials Monday, who said conditions have not yet improved enough for evacuees to return.

Vancouver Island

'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser

Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.

'Altercation' in Penticton leaves 1 dead: RCMP

One person is dead after a fight in Penticton early Sunday morning, according to authorities.

Suspect fled in 2-door Fiat after convenience store robbery, Merritt RCMP say

A suspect is at large after robbing a convenience store at gunpoint in Merritt, B.C., Friday, according to local police.

Kamloops RCMP issue public warning about 2 men allegedly at centre of 'organized crime conflict'

After four targeted shootings in four days, Mounties in Kamloops are taking the unusual step of warning the public about two men they believe are likely to be targeted in future violent incidents.

Newfoundland grandmothers can wail on the accordion. A historian wants them on stage

79-year-old Madonna Wilkinson has been playing the accordion since she was 15, when she picked one up that had been left behind at one of her parents' rollicking parties in the oceanside town about 25 kilometres north of St. John's, N.L. She has played Sunday masses and St. Patrick's Day parties, and community events of all kinds.

The latest advice for expecting parents? Sign up for child care as soon as you're pregnant

Canada's new $10-a-day child care program is expanding, but there's growing evidence that demand for the program is rising even faster, leaving many parents on the outside looking in.

Study says aquaculture likely driving wild salmon extinction in Newfoundland

A new study shows an Atlantic salmon population in southern Newfoundland is disappearing, and it says nearby aquaculture operations are a likely contributor to the decline.

Northern Ontario

Northern Ont. suspect pulls hospital fire alarm, threatens staff and police

A man with a history of dangerous behaviour has been charged with pulling the fire alarm at the hospital in Elliot Lake.

Neighbour dispute leads to charges in northern Ont.

East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police have charged one person in Elliot Lake in connection with an ongoing neighbour dispute.

Severe thunderstorm warning lifted for Simcoe Muskoka

The weather warning for severe thunderstorms has been lifted in Simcoe Muskoka.

New cenotaph unveiled in Warminster to honour veterans

A new cenotaph was unveiled in Warminster on Sunday.

19-year-old driver caught speeding double the posted limit

A 19-year-old driver was caught driving double the posted speed limit in Innisfil on Sunday.

Suspect seriously injured in York, Ont. after ammunition detonates in fire, OPP say

A 56-year-old has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after live ammunition exploded in a fire in Haldimand County, Ont.

Two people injured in robbery at Fairview Park Mall: police

A police investigation is underway after a jewellery store at Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener was robbed.

Police investigating shooting at Waterloo business

Waterloo Regional Police are looking to identify a person in connection to a weekend shooting in Waterloo.

'People are dying': Memorial Service held for homeless Londoners who have passed away

A small memorial service held in front of London City Hall Monday intended to send a message to politicians, the plans to solve the homeless crisis need to move more quickly.

ATV and dirt bike drivers airlifted to hospital after crash

An ATV driver has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after colliding with a dirt bike in South Bruce.

SIU investigating after London, Ont. man injured during arrest

The Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a 30-year-old London man sustained injuries while being arrested.

Stay Connected

Essaying the pop culture that matters since 1999

Song Goddess: An Interview with Grammy-Winning Vocalist Lisa Fischer

In this exclusive interview with PopMatters, Lisa Fischer shares how music has shaped her life, from performing with Sting, Tina Turner, and Chaka Khan to collaborating with ballet companies and symphony orchestras.

Lisa Fischer is a more than a singer. She’s a sorceress. Her voice turns melodies into rocket fuel, spellbinding listeners in rock halls and jazz clubs while infusing symphony orchestras and ballet companies with new dimensions of sound. Even birds pause their own serenades to hear Fischer sing.

On a recent summer evening in New York, Fischer kicked off a six-show run at the Blue Note. An enraptured audience savored every second. Led by musical director JC Maillard, accompanying trio Grand Baton created vivid sonic vistas for Fischer to explore, from her rendition of “This Land is Your Land” to Maillard’s own buoyant composition “Ansanm”. Fischer’s GRAMMY-winning solo hit “How Can I Ease the Pain?” brought the room to a reverent hush, following a surprise duet with Bernard Fowler on “Gimme Shelter”, a soul-shattering homage to their tenure together as background vocalists for the Rolling Stones. In between, Fischer seemed to channel a mythic deity on Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”. Her opening wail stopped time.

How did young Lisa Fischer from Fort Greene, Brooklyn become the high priestess of shamanistic rock and soul? Simply by being herself. During her shows with Grand Baton, she’s as likely to perform an aria as “Dancing in the Street”, a versatility rooted in her years of singing with artists ranging from Teddy Pendergrass to Nine Inch Nails.

“Coming from the background singer head, I feel like I get the opportunity to step in and out of all these different rooms,” she says. “I’m not smart enough to realize that singers are supposed to have a lane. They’re supposed to have a sound, they’re supposed to have a style, and they’re supposed to stick to that. I know that’s kind of what record companies would really like you to do, or at least back in the day when I was signed, but to me, it’s just sound . I’m like, Let’s blur these lines . This is music . All of these spices and gumbos are possible.”

Fischer’s natural fluency in music awed anyone who saw Morgan Neville’s critically acclaimed 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which won the Oscar for “Best Documentary Feature” (2014). While that film highlighted her career as a background singer for artists like Luther Vandross, the Rolling Stones, and Tina Turner, she’s since cultivated a devoted audience that bridges longtime fans of her solo debut So Intense (1991) with those who are only now discovering her phenomenal range. Her more recent collaborations on stage and in the studio have traced different compass points, including her work with jazz maestro Billy Childs on an exquisite rendition of Laura Nyro’s “Map to the Treasure”, partnering with choreographer Alonzo King and LINES Ballet on The Propelled Heart (2015), recording several tracks with House music trailblazer Louie Vega, and headlining programs with the Cincinnati Pops and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.

To experience Lisa Fischer in any setting, however, is to hear brilliance manifested through musical notes. The way she approaches melodies is like a painter splashing a canvas with colors of all shades — some hues are electric and vibrant, others are soft and understated. She can sear the soul with both whispered asides and sudden flights up an octave or two. No music fan has fully lived until they’ve seen Fischer take Henry Purcell’s “Dido’s Lament” to celestial planes and spark a fire from Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” in the same show.

Yet for all of the accolades Fischer has received from peers, critics, and fans, she remains grounded in her view of success. “Success is waking up every day and wanting to get out of bed and face the day,” she says. “I don’t expect a lot of from the world. Because of that, I’m so grateful for whatever it is I get from the world. I think to be able to die and just feel like you’ve left this earth with very few scars is probably success. Not having to learn the same lesson a zillion times is success.”

Fischer is similarly thoughtful in explaining how music has brought meaning to her life, whether seeing James Brown at the Apollo Theater as a young girl or marveling at Minnie Riperton’s early recordings with Rotary Connection. PopMatters recently met with the singer where she discussed the full arc of her career, from touring with Chaka Khan to her creative synergy with Grand Baton. [Following the interview, read what Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, and a host of other music legends shared with PopMatters about Fischer’s exceptional talent as a vocalist and performer.]

Lisa, it’s kind of incredible to realize that when you and I first met back in 2013 for the premiere of 20 Feet from Stardom , you’d yet to perform with Grand Baton. They’re such an integral part of your sound now. I would love to know how you began working and performing with Grand Baton.

I was getting calls to do these shows. I asked Linda Goldstein, who manages Bobby McFerrin, to help me. Thank God she said yes. She said, “You need a band.” She had just seen JC Maillard perform. Grand Baton is JC’s alter-ego, his band, his concept. He’s really a great arranger and songwriter. He just knows what to do and he trusts his instincts. He’s like a cat waiting for the mouse to come out of the hole and then he pounces on it, but he doesn’t kill it — “ahh, nice mouse”. He’s just super sweet.

Through JC, I met Thierry Arpino, who plays drums, and then I met Aidan Carroll, who plays bass. Thierry and JC have known each other for a really long time and so they have a sound together because they’ve had time to develop it. I just fell in love with all of them, their whole energy, the sensitivity that they brought to the table, and their sense of adventure because a lot of times I never know what I’m going to do. Currently, it’s JC, Thierry, and Richie Goods, who’s an amazing bassist as well.

I’m loving all the turns and just the different ingredients that help make up the sound, the spiritual ingredients of each person, and learning them. There’s a trust that happens in time within the music. Each soul, each person, is just connected to the music. They just want to make good music and I so resonate with that.

The first time that I saw you perform with Grand Baton was an outdoor show in Brooklyn that following year. There was definitely an element of surprise when you did Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll”. I had no clue it was coming and it’s one of the most powerful performances I’ve ever seen. “Rock and Roll” has remained in your set all these years later. What kind of release does performing that particular song give you?

It just makes me feel a total sense of freedom. I feel like music is so universal. People like the Stones and so many groups who have listened to American blues music have been inspired, so now it’s sort of seeped out into the rest of the universe. To kind of freely visit what people have put into boxes for themselves, for whatever business reasons they do, it’s just nice to be free in the music and just do anything I want, sing anything I want — sing classical songs, sing rock songs, sing Broadway songs, sing a lullaby, sing anything. It’s just beautiful to kind of keep shifting through the music.

Aretha Franklin once equated the experience of singing to “traveling” with her voice. When you’re onstage, does singing take you somewhere else?

It really does. It takes me within myself, but at the same time, in all spaces, in everything that exists. It just feels like a universe where you can color and you can dream and every second is potent and every second feels like forever. There are all these seconds that are tied together, and it just keeps circling like breath, in and out, round and round. It’s a pretty special feeling.

In recent shows, you’ve paired “Blues in the Night” with “Dido’s Lament”. You convey such a wide range of emotions in that sequence. How were those two pieces brought together and what do they evoke for you, personally?

That was Linda Goldstein’s doing. Linda’s really great at framing things and giving things life and purpose. We were doing a program for a symphony show and she asked me, “What classical songs do you know?” I said, “I don’t know a whole lot, but I really love ‘Dido’s Lament’.” Between Linda and JC, they came up with the idea of coupling “Dido’s Lament” and “Blues in the Night” together, along with giving that information to the arranger, Chris Walden. He did the charts for that show. He’s also amazing.

Emotionally, “Blues in the Night” and “Dido’s Lament” really bring me home to my mom. You think about when you were little — “My mama done told me when I was in pigtails” (or knee pants) — and just the protectiveness of what mothers want to tell you about menfolk. Not all men are that way, but there’s always lessons that a mother wants to impart to her child, so I always think of her during that song and all of the things that she wanted for me that maybe she wasn’t able to give me because she was called to leave the earth.

A lot of times I think about, “What would my mom’s life have been had she lived?” When her birthday passes or the actual day of her death passes, I think to myself, I outlived my mom by almost twice her lifetime. She died when she was 35, and I’m going to be 63 this year, so in a couple of years, I will have lived twice her lifetime.

All I have is my memories of my mom, so joining “Blues in the Night” together with “Dido’s Lament” patches a hole in my heart. It’s like a way of honoring her because the line in “Dido’s Lament” that always kills me is “remember me”. I think we all really desire to be cherished and remembered. There may come a time if you’re the last one in your family and maybe you don’t have any kids and you might be the last of your line that you might be afraid that no one will remember you. What I say to that is to try to live your life in a memorable way. Try to touch people’s hearts in a way that people will tell the story to their kids or their grandkids or their great-grandkids.

• The Women of '20 Feet from Stardom': Lisa Fischer
• Lisa Fischer: 8 January 2015 – New York
• Lisa Fischer: Official Site
• Lisa Fischer: Facebook
• Lisa Fischer: Twitter
• Lisa Fischer: Instagram

Lisa Fischer

Long-term background singer for Luther Vandross and the Rolling Stones; released a freestyle classic and a Grammy-winning R&B single.

Read Full Biography

STREAM OR BUY:

Also Known As

Related artists, discography, moods and themes.

Grammy-Winner Lisa Fischer: A Gay Man Changed the Way I Look at Myself

Drag queen on the SF social, political, editorial and fundraising scene

"My gay friends are people that I feel, if I ran around a party naked, they'd puke a little, but it would become a big running joke," shares singer Lisa Fischer with a laugh. "But I would feel safe."

During our telephone interview, the Grammy Award-winning performer showed significant introspection talking about her work with everyone from The Rolling Stones to Tina Turner. Her gears were nearly audible as we discussed 20 Feet from Stardom , the Oscar-nominated documentary showcasing Fischer and others who've made careers of singing backup for music industry giants.

Now, 30 minutes in, our conversation has taken the tone of a chat between girlfriends more than an interview. Still, Fischer proves equally pensive when asked to describe the LGBT community's impact on her.

"It's almost like having a whole person, if that makes any sense," said the vocalist in an effort to describe the powerful friendships straight women often have with gay men.

"I think women feel they can't have that closeness and safety with the men they want to be physical with," continued Fischer, who with Grand Baton plays Yoshi's Oakland Night Club April 9-11 . "I think it takes a lot for that to happen, but I love my gay friends. We have the best times!"

After years singing back-up for icons like Chaka Khan and Teddy Pendergrass, Fischer's debut album So Intense arrived to critical acclaim in 1991. Her hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain" shot to No. 1 on Billboard's R&B Chart. In a rare tie, it shared the year's Grammy Award for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" with Patti LaBelle's "Burnin'" (featuring, ironically, backing vocals by Fischer).

Professionally, the LGBT community influenced her long before the launch of her solo work however. Earlier, Fischer performed and toured extensively with Luther Vandross, who was both a mentor and friend. From make-up to wardrobe, she recalls how integral the LGBT community was in shaping the soulful legend's image, and -- as a result -- her own.

"It's hard to say whether that's a gay thing or just a perfection thing," she said of the experience, "But there was always just a feeling if the community wrapped its arms around this look, then I knew things were cool. I knew everything was good.

"There was quality. There was beauty. There was a sense of adventure," Fischer said of developing her stage presentation during that era. "A lot of that came from the gay community that surrounded us."

One experience, in particular, remains particularly memorable to the star. The first time a makeup artist painted her face for one of Vandross' gigs -- "I'd never really had my face beat before," she noted -- Fischer says it forever changed the way she saw herself.

Sitting with her back to the mirror throughout the process, she says Vandross occasionally popped in to see what the artist was doing. "He'd never seen me with makeup," she admitted. When she was done, and the young man painting her face turned Fischer around for the big reveal, the singer "looked like a new person."

Seeing herself through the eyes of a gay man and his artistry revealed a part of herself she had never met. "It was like, 'Wow! Who is that? Who is this new person I need to get to know?'" she reflected.

"It was such a transformation, and it forced me to look at myself -- which I don't normally do too much," concluded Fischer. "It was a way of looking inside myself by seeing the outside of myself. I was seeing myself through his eyes, and I loved what I saw."

For More Information, Visit Lisa Fischer's Website .

For Tickets to See Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton at Yoshi's Oakland, Click Here .

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

It's another trump-biden showdown — and we need your help, the future of democracy is at stake, your loyalty means the world to us.

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.

Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?

HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.

It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.

But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.

Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.

Popular in the Community

From our partner, more in queer voices.

Lisa Fischer

Lisa Melonie Fischer (born December 1, 1958) is an American vocalist and songwriter who has recorded and toured with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner and Luther Vandross. She was hired, along with Sharlotte Gibson , to sing backing vocals for Nine Inch Nails on the Tension 2013 Tour .

Fischer was born in Brooklyn, New York and released (under the name Xēna) her first recording in 1983, a single called "On The Upside". She also began doing backing vocals and session vocals during this time. She released her only album, So Intense , in 1991 but went back to doing backing vocals as she enjoyed it more.

She has toured and recorded steadily with The Rolling Stones since 1989 and was also working with Luther Vandross at the time. She later began to tour with Tina Turner and also began writing songs for other artists. She recorded with Sting in 2009 and toured with Chris Botti in 2010. She appears in the backing vocalists documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom .

NIN backing vocals

The following songs featured Fischer and Gibson.

• " All The Love In The World "
• " All Time Low "
• " The Big Come Down "
• " Came Back Haunted "
• " Copy Of A "
• " The Day The World Went Away "
• " Disappointed "
• " Echoplex "
• " Even Deeper "
• " The Hand That Feeds " (only one or more shows)
• " I'm Afraid Of Americans "
• " In This Twilight "
• " Into The Void "
• " I Would For You "
• " Only " (only one or more shows)
• " Reptile " (only one or more shows)
• " Running "
• " Sanctified "
• " Satellite "
• " Survivalism "
• " Various Methods Of Escape "
• " While I'm Still Here "/" Black Noise "
• " The Wretched "

External Links

• Official Lisa Fischer site

Join us on Social

Lisa Fischer

Nominations*, 57th annual grammy awards.

Best Music Film

20 feet from stardom, view all nominations for this artist.

Through the 66th GRAMMY Awards

Lisa Fischer Videos

Lisa fischer   news.

View All News

All GRAMMY Awards and Nominations for Lisa Fischer

More from the 57th Awards

34th annual grammy awards.

• Manage Account

Lisa Fischer

Chart history, billboard hot 100™, how can i ease the pain, latest news, two voices of the rolling stones meet for the first time at sundance.

• By Phil Gallo
• Jan 21, 2013 9:55 am

Rolling Stones Start Up Reunion With London Blowout

• By Paul Sexton
• Nov 26, 2012 11:30 am

There’s an Angel Watching You

• By Billboard Staff
• Jun 23, 2001 12:00 am

A Twist of Marley

• Jun 16, 2001 12:00 am

Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

Charts expand charts menu.

• Billboard Hot 100™
• Billboard 200™
• Hits Of The World™
• TikTok Billboard Top 50
• Song Breaker
• Year-End Charts
• Decade-End Charts

Music Expand music menu

• R&B/Hip-Hop

Videos Expand videos menu

Culture expand culture menu, media expand media menu, business expand business menu.

• Business News
• Record Labels
• View All Pro

Pro Tools Expand pro-tools menu

• Songwriters & Producers
• Artist Index
• Royalty Calculator
• Market Watch
• Industry Events Calendar

Billboard Español Expand billboard-espanol menu

• Cultura y Entretenimiento

Get Up Anthems by Tres Expand get-up-anthems-by-tres menu

Honda music expand honda-music menu.

Lisa Fischer

Age, biography and wiki.

Lisa Fischer was born on 1 December, 1958 in New York, New York, United States, is an American vocalist and songwriter. Discover Lisa Fischer's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 65 years old?

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 1 December. She is a member of famous Songwriter with the age 65 years old group.

Lisa Fischer Height, Weight & Measurements

At 65 years old, Lisa Fischer height not available right now. We will update Lisa Fischer's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Dating & Relationship status

She is currently single. She is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, She has no children.

Lisa Fischer Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. So, how much is Lisa Fischer worth at the age of 65 years old? Lisa Fischer’s income source is mostly from being a successful Songwriter. She is from United States. We have estimated Lisa Fischer's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets.

Lisa Fischer Social Network

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. The orchestral arrangements were composed by Chris Walden .

In addition to her collaboration with King, Fischer continues to work with musicians and artists. In 2016, she provided vocal performances on three Grammy nominated projects including Louie Vega Starring...XXVIII with Louie Vega and The Elements of Life; Sing Me Home with Yo-Yo Ma, The Silkroad Ensemble, and Gregory Porter;, as well as New York Rhapsody with Lang Lang and Jeffrey Wright . 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 .

Fischer engages with dance throughout her career. 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. The Propelled Heart premiered at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on November 6, 2015. In September 2017, Fischer reprised her role in The Propelled Heart at the Kwai Tsing Theatre in Hong Kong. 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.

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.

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

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

Fischer is an artist featured in the Oscar-winning documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on June 21, 2013. 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. 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.

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

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,, 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, and continued to appear at their 2012 concerts.

Lisa Fischer continued to work on music doing background vocals and she also is a songwriter for artist such as Anane Vega. Fischer toured with Tina Turner on her Twenty Four Seven Tour. It was the worldwide top-grossing tour of 2000. She continued to sing backup for Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones as well as compose. Lisa was featured in an April 14, 2008 issue of Jet Magazine′s "Where Are They Now?" column. In 2009, Fischer completed touring with Tina Turner on her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, and is featured on Turner's new live DVD-CD titled Tina Live. In the performance of Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, Fischer and Turner sing "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" together; after Turner leaves the stage, Fischer completes the song.

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. 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.

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. 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. In a recent article, Fischer compared back-up singing to a "tuning fork";, and noted she rejected the idea of dissatisfaction and the theory of always aspiring for something more while creating music and supporting other artists. 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 number-one R&B hit How Can I Ease The Pain, providing backing vocals for her fellow musicians.

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. 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." 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”.

Fischer maintained her career as a session singer, and continues to accompany The Rolling Stones on tour since 1989. She worked as a backup vocalist during the same period for Luther Vandross for the 22 years prior to his death, juggling his concert tours and those of The Rolling Stones , with whom she has a growing audience as she plays the foil to Mick Jagger onstage. During many 'staple' songs during tours with The Rolling Stones , she shares lead vocals, including "Monkey Man, and "Gimme Shelter", showcasing her vocal talents and are frequently on the set lists during their live concerts.

In 1983, under the stage name "Xēna", Fischer released the b-boy classic "On the Upside". In 1984, a club track she recorded titled "Only Love (Shadows)" was briefly featured in the motion picture Beat Street 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. 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.

Lisa Fischer (born December 1, 1958) is an American vocalist 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". She has been a back-up singer for a number of famous artists including Sting, Luther Vandross and Tina Turner, and toured with The Rolling Stones from 1989 to 2015.

Celebs Wiki

Lisa fischer fans also viewed:, jörgen elofsson, rené elizondo jr., dave katz (songwriter), michael jay (producer), mike scott (scottish musician), peter lurye, king lizzard, holly knight.