Lisa Fischer

American vocalist Lisa Fischer was first heard as a background singer on early-'80s releases by <a href="spotify:artist:0zaWqD1H9Rk0P14iF5oDnY">Kleeer</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4gQEXxzqwNmQwjU0Wc0Ioe">D Train</a>. The native of New York City's Brooklyn borough debuted as a lead vocalist under the name Xēna with 1983's "On the Upside," a classic freestyle single. Throughout the remainder of the decade, she was one of the busiest session singers in the industry; she appeared on dozens of contemporary R&B recordings including releases by <a href="spotify:artist:07CTbCcLVHYwZqp1YMdf4t">Angela Bofill</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5IDs1CK15HegSAhGEbSYXo">Billy Ocean</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:19y5MFBH7gohEdGwKM7QsP">Luther Vandross</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6UfoTQXaV3DuqtDVjZIxwZ">Cheryl Lynn</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:69k2JfIQxMpBbc1wtmHWZY">Will Downing</a>. Prior to the decade's end, she established long-term touring associations with <a href="spotify:artist:19y5MFBH7gohEdGwKM7QsP">Vandross</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:22bE4uQ6baNwSHPVcDxLCe">the Rolling Stones</a>. Her career took a major turn after she signed with the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Elektra%22">Elektra</a> label. In 1991, she released So Intense, an album that peaked at number five on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and featured the number seven R&B hit "Save Me," as well as the number one "How Can I Ease the Pain" -- the latter of which won the 1991 Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. She remained active as only with <a href="spotify:artist:19y5MFBH7gohEdGwKM7QsP">Vandross</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:22bE4uQ6baNwSHPVcDxLCe">the Stones</a>, but with <a href="spotify:artist:1zuJe6b1roixEKMOtyrEak">Tina Turner</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3eFo5fMv53RYZBYlvT5Z6a">Chris Botti</a> as well, and she recorded with artists ranging from <a href="spotify:artist:711MCceyCBcFnzjGY4Q7Un">AC/DC</a> to <a href="spotify:artist:2FjkZT851ez950cyPjeYid">Bobby McFerrin</a>. She was also featured as the vocalist on house 12"s by Dutch and <a href="spotify:artist:1TzW2dLsREqLXY0nkPxFfz">Lovestorm</a>. In 2013, Fischer was prominently featured on Eclipse, an album from <a href="spotify:artist:5dncbrnveDMX9DgxcedeUg">Louie Vega</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:26GMJWTZRf9uLGGSnkKFlq">Elements of Life</a>, and she also appeared in 20 Feet from Stardom, a film about unsung background vocalists. The documentary was well received, and it prompted Fischer to resume her solo career. She began touring with a backup trio called <a href="spotify:artist:2owWCH2SQfd2gNvjumqFST">Grand Baton</a>, performing at festivals such as Newport and Monterey Jazz. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi