The story of Ms. Lisa Fischer
1983
Xēna
Under the stage name “Xēna“, Fischer released the b-boy classic “On the Upside“
June 8, 1984
“Only Love (Shadows)” – Xēna
In 1984, Lisa recorded the song titled “Only Love (Shadows)” which was briefly featured in the motion picture Beat Street.
Originally unreleased, “Only Love (Shadows)” was later released in 1995 as part of the Hot Productions’ The Best of Criminal Records compilation.
September 12, 1984
Billy Ocean
Lisa collaborates with British singer Billy Ocean, providing backing vocals for his album “Suddenly,” Billy’s fifth studio album which includes hits like “Loverboy” and “Caribbean Queen.”
“Caribbean Queen” was Billy Ocean’s first major US pop hit single, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
1985
Luther Vandross
Lisa begins a long-term collaboration with Luther Vandross, becoming one of his most trusted backup singers.
Lisa tours extensively with him and contributes to several of his albums.
Lisa worked as a backup vocalist for Luther Vandross for the 22 years prior to his death alongside friend and collaborator Ava Cherry, juggling Luthor’s concert tours and those of The Rolling Stones, with whom she grew an audience playing the foil to Mick Jagger onstage.
Mar 11, 1985
“The Night I Fell In Love” – Luther Vandross
Lisa’s was a featured backup singer on Luther’s March 11, 1985 album “The Night I Fell In Love“
1985
Melba Moore
Lisa starts working with Melba Moore, contributing her vocal talents to Moore’s performances and recordings.
Lisa can be found singing backing vocals on a variety of Moore’s songs, including the title track of 1985 released “Read My Lips” and “Mind Over Matter“
Nov 21, 1986
“Give Me The Reason” – Luther Vandross
Lisa’s was a featured backup singer on Luther’s November 21, 1986 album “Give Me The Reason“
Sep 20, 1988
“Any Love” – Luther Vandross
Lisa’s was a featured backup singer on Luther’s November 21, 1986 album “Any Love“
Sep 20, 1988
“In Your Eyes” – James D-Train Williams
Lisa’s was a featured backup singer on D-Train’s November 21, 1986 album singing on the title track “In Your Eyes“,
“With All My Heart” and “Shadow Of Another Love” alongside other vocalists like Curtis King and Cindy Mizell
August 31, 1989 - February 27, 1990
Rolling Stones “Steel Wheels” Tour
Lisa Fischer is featured on the Rolling Stones’ “Steel Wheels” North American and Japan tours, marking the beginning of a long association with the band.
Lisa Fisher and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones on the Steel Wheels Tour in 1989 in Boston, Ma. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage)
See Lisa Fischer sing “Gimme Shelter” with the Stones during their tour here on YouTube
April 30, 1991
Debut Album – “So Intense”
Lisa Fischer solo career peaked with her release of her debut solo album, “So Intense,” which includes the Grammy Award-winning single “How Can I Ease the Pain.”
The song reaches number one on the Billboard R&B chart.
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 Billboard200 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…”
1992
Grammy – “How Can I Ease The Pain”
Fischer wins a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “How Can I Ease the Pain.”
In the 2012 movie 20 Feet From Stardom, Fischer’s Grammy award for her hit single collects dust on a shelf. Lisa said she “just doesn’t know what to do with it”.
May 28, 1993
“Made in America” Soundtrack – “Colors of Love”
Lisa 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
Track 4:
Lisa Fischer – “Colors of Love” (U.S. AC #18, R&B #24)
1994-1995
Rolling Stones “Voodoo Lounge” Tour
Lisa performed as a backing vocalist on the Rolling Stones’ *Voodoo Lounge* tour, which began in 1994 and continued into 1995.
October, 1996
“Your Secret Love” – Luther Vandross
Lisa Fischer was featured on Luther Vandross’s tenth studio album *Your Secret Love*, providing backing vocals on tracks such as “Your Secret Love” and “I Can Make It Better.“
March - December 2000
Tina Turner “Twenty Four Seven” Tour
Lisa toured with Tina Turner on her Twenty Four Seven Tour.
Also known as the Twenty Four Seven Millennium Tour and 24/7 World Tour, it was the tenth concert tour by singer Tina Turner. The tour promoted her final studio album Twenty Four Seven (1999)
It was the worldwide top-grossing tour of 2000.
The performances filmed at the Wembley Stadium on July 15, 2000 were later used for the DVD release in 2001 and aired on the CBS Network in the United States. The DVD was certified platinum in the US and UK.
2002-2003
Rolling Stones “Licks” Tour
Fischer was part of the Rolling Stones’ *Licks* tour, which spanned from 2002 to 2003.
2008-2009
Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour
Lisa Fischer performed on Tina Turner’s *Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour*, which ran from 2008 to 2009.
Lisa Fischer and Tina Turner perform during her 50th Anniversary tour at Madison Square Garden on December 1, 2008 in New York City.
Lisa is featured on Turner’s live DVD-CD titled Tina Live.
In the performance of Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, Lisa and Tina Turner sang “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” together; after Turner left the stage, Fischer completed the song solo.
June 21, 2013
“20 Feet from Stardom”
Lisa Fischer is one of the artists 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 highlighted the careers of prominent backing vocalists 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 was released in 2013 and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
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.
July 2013 - August 2014
Nine Inch Nails “Tension” Tour
In 2013, Fischer joined the rock band Nine Inch Nails as a backing vocalist for their Tension 2013 tour.