Lisa Fischer experienced success as solo artist in the early 90s with her album So Intense while the LP’s Grammy Award-winning single, How Can I Ease the Pain, hit number one on the R&B charts. Then her solo career quickly crashed. Signed to Elektra, the label became part of WEA (Warner Elektra Atlantic) and her manager at the time thought it would be best for her to switch labels. “So we went to a different label and talked about the possibility of leaving,” Fischer remembers. “And they [the other label] were like, ‘sure, we’ll sign you!’ I ended up getting out of my Elektra contract and then found out the person who said they were going to sign me changed their mind. I had no record deal. I was like, ‘Okay, so that’s that. I think I’ll go back to singing background – it’s way more fun!’”
Lisa Fischer performing with the Rolling Stones
As a back-up singer, Fischer is famed for her powerful vocals as part of the Rolling Stones touring juggernaut as well as backing a variety of touring artists including the late Luther Vandross, Tina Turner and even Nine Inch Nails. She was content with her career but then the documentary that made stars out of backing singers – 20 Feet From Stardom – changed all that. “I started getting these calls out of the blue from people and friends of friends, people I didn’t know and messages on social media. I didn’t know how to handle it,” she laughs. “That’s when I talked to Linda [who became her manager], and I was like, ‘Linda I could really use some help. I feel totally lost.” Was it difficult for Fischer, who tours with the band Grand Baton, to find her voice as a solo artist again? “I hadn’t really done any solo shows except for a few with Luther Vandross during my Elektra time. During the course of touring and doing background, I had a wonderful opportunity to work with Chris Botti, an amazing trumpet player, and in his show I got to sing lead vocals, which was different for me and, I guess, prepared me to find my own voice again.” Fischer, who is planning to record a solo album with Grand Baton, says she has no idea if she will be returning to tour with the Stones anytime soon. “I don’t have any plans for touring except with Grand Baton as of today. My history with the Stones has always been that the fans know more about what the Stones do than I do. People actually message me on social media and go, ‘yeah, the Stones are going to be at blah blah blah.’ I’m like, ‘I didn’t hear a thing about that! Nobody told me,” she laughs. “But they hear everything before I do; I never get to hear what they’re doing until I get an official call from them. That’s how it’s been in the past. So I don’t know. I know they’ve just concluded the South American tour and a show in Cuba. Now they’re working on the Exhibitionism project. I’m sure they are going to be busy with that. I’m always excited to hear what they’re up to. I’m sure somebody will text me,” she laughs. Watch Lisa Fischer and grand Baton perform a cover of Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer below. Ms Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton Dunstan Playhouse Saturday, June 18 to Sunday, June 19 adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
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