Lisa Fischer’s musical inspirations

Lisa Fischer

Long known in the music industry and by audiences around the world for her powerhouse vocals, Lisa Fischer is also known as one of the stars in Morgan Neville’s documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, which reveals the voices and singers behind some of music’s biggest performers and most popular songs.

The documentary, which was filmed in 2013 and won Best Documentary at the 2014 Academy Awards, showcased the stories and talent of back-up vocalists Merry Clayton, Darlene Love, Claudia Lennear, Tata Vega, Judith Hill, and of course, Fischer. Of the women’s talent, Sting said in the film, “My greatest pleasure is to stand back and let them do what they can do.”

Fischer has learned to stay true to her heart and to keep moving forward in the music, she says, and has sung backup vocals on every Rolling Stones’ tour since 1989. When asked what her favorite song to perform was in a recent email interview with the Banner, her answer was Gimme Shelter, the 1969 Rolling Stones’ classic (which originally featured guest vocalist Merry Clayton). She wrote that the song is “lovely to sing in any setting because it’s just an amazing song. I get chills from the movement of the melody and what’s being played around it.”

During this period working with the Stones, Fischer also worked as a back-up vocalist with Luther Vandross and often had to juggle tour schedules. She attributes her longevity and her success to “love and respect for the people I’ve been honored to work for. Respect for my fellow musicians and the joy of seeing everyone do well to be the best they can be in the moment.”

In 1991, she rose to fame as a solo artist with her debut album So Intense, which led to a 1992 Grammy win (and a tie with Patti LaBelle for whom she sang as a back-up vocalist), for Best Female R&B Performance for the single, How Can I Ease the Pain.

“It felt like a dream, fireworks in slow motion,” Fisher said of winning her first Grammy with LaBelle. “I have so much love and respect for Patti LaBelle and all the beautiful music she has given us, so to be able to share that moment in time was such a blessing for me.”

Fischer, who has shared the stage with legendary performers such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Sting, Chris Botti and Nine Inch Nails, is constantly on the road touring. When asked how being on the road has affected her personal life, she jokingly responded, “Personal liiiiife…. Oh, Personal Liiiiife… Hmm…Where did I put that thing?”

Lisa always wanted to sing and is living out her dream. Growing up, she was inspired by the “beautiful connection to the melody, and the story with music that supports that.” These days she’s inspired by the multi-talented singer, songwriter and guitarist Becca Stevens and British soul singer and writer, Laura Mvula.

“I’m grateful that we live in a time where there is inspiration all around us to discover,” she said.

Scullers Jazz Club presents Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton Saturday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets: Show $45, dinner, $85 on Dec. 13; Show $48, dinner $88 on Dec. 14. www.scullersjazz.com.