Lisa Fischer

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Lisa Fischer

Lisa Fischer, 2008 Courtesy Hans Eder
Background information
Birth name Lisa Melonie Fischer
Also known as Xēna
Born December 1, 1958 (1958-12-01) (age 53)
Origin New York, United States
Genres R&B, Rock, Pop, Electronic dance music, Soul, freestyle
Occupations Singer-songwriter, guitarist, composer
Instruments Vocalist
Years active 1983–present
Labels Elektra
Associated acts Luther Vandross
The Rolling Stones
Bernard Fowler
Tina Turner

Lisa Fischer (born 1958) is an American R&B singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 1991 with her debut album So Intense, which produced the Grammy Award winning hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain". Known for her high notes, which extends into the whistle register, Fischer has been recognized as one of the most successful session vocalists of the era.[1] She has sung back-up for a number of famous artists, including Luther Vandross, Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Fischer was born in the Fort Greene neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Before pursuing a solo career, she accompanied R&B singer Luther Vandross as a backup singer on his tours & albums until his death, in addition to providing backing vocals for artists including Melba Moore and Billy Ocean. She has worked with many other famous singers, both as a session vocalist and a backup singer. Musicians she has supported include Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Teddy Pendergrass and Roberta Flack.

[edit] Musical career

[edit] 1983-1990: Singing Backup

In 1983, under the stage name Xēna, Fischer released a freestyle single, the electro classic "On the Upside,". In 1984, a club track she recorded entitled "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.

[edit] 1990-1993: So Intense

Her career peaked with the 1991 release of "How Can I Ease the Pain" from her album So Intense, which reached number one on the R&B charts and won her a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1992.[2] 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. Fischer also provided stirring vocals on the power ballad "Colors of Love" which was featured on the soundtrack album for the film Made in America. Fischer stated that the reason for her not releasing more albums was because she enjoyed being a backing singer much more than a solo singer.[citation needed]

[edit] 1995-2007: Rolling Stones
"Gimme Shelter" (1995)
Lisa Fischer performing "Gimme Shelter" with The Rolling Stones.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Fischer is currently a singer and songwriter and has been touring as a backup vocalist with the Rolling Stones since 1987. She worked as a backup vocalist during the same period of time for Luther Vandross for the 22 years prior to his death, having to juggle her time between 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 more and more frequently. There are songs that have become staples during tours with the Rolling Stones. One song, "Gimme Shelter" showcases her vocal talents and is frequently on the set lists during their live concerts.

[edit] 2007-present: Return to the music industry

Fischer has also toured with Tina Turner for her Twenty Four Seven Tour. The tour was the top grossing of 2000 worldwide. She continued to sing backup for Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones as well as compose songs for herself and up-and-coming artists. Lisa was featured in an April[when?] issue of Jet Magazine' "Where Are They Now?" column.[3] She hopes to record a new album soon. Fischer just finished touring with Tina Turner on her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour. She is featured on Turner's new live DVD/CD, entitled Tina Live. She and Turner sing It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It) together and after Turner leaves the stage, Fischer completes 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 of musicians, including Fischer, performed the songs live in Durham Cathedral. The rehearsals as well as the concert were filmed and have been released as a DVD. The behind the scenes documentary surrounding the event was produced jointly by the BBC and was screened on 29 December.

Most recently, Fischer appeared at the 2010 CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island where she was featured with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. She continued to tour with Botti through 2010, including appearing nightly as guest vocalist during the trumpeter's annual three-week holiday engagement at the renowned Blue Note Club in New York City. She has remained a guest artist with Botti's band during their 2011 concert appearances.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • 1991: So Intense

[edit] Singles

Year Title U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Dance Album
1990 "Glad To Be Alive" - 31 - The Adventures of Ford Fairlane soundtrack
1991 "How Can I Ease the Pain" 11 1 - So Intense
"Save Me" 74 7 2
1992 "So Intense" - 15 -
1993 "Colors of Love" - 18 - Made in America OST
1994 "A Deeper Love" feat. Aretha Franklin 63 30 -
2009 "Human Beings" - - - Return of Xena

[edit] Soundtrack appearances

[edit] Album appearances

[edit] Tours

[edit] Awards and nominations

Year Award
1992 Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist (nominated)
1992 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single - Female

for "How Can I Ease the Pain" (WON)
1992 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album - Female for

"So Intense" (nominated)
1992 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "How Can I Ease the Pain" (WON)
1992 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "How Can I Ease the Pain" (nominated)

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/fischer_lisa/bio.jhtml
  2. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 494. CN 5585. 
  3. ^ Where Is...Lisa Fischer http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_14_113/ai_n25336695/?tag=content;col1 14 April 2008 JET Magazine

[edit] External links

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