Early career

Fischer was born in the Fort Greene neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York. “The self-proclaimed "East Coast girl," reared in Brooklyn now resides in New Jersey. Fischer’s mother gave birth to her at age 15 and had a total of three kids by the time she was 19. During her childhood, Fischer and her family lived off welfare and food stamps. When Fischer was 14 her father left and at age 17 her mother passed away, leaving Fischer with the responsibility of taking care of her two youngest brothers. Fischer's love for singing was encouraged by her mother, a homemaker; father, a security guard and warehouse worker; and two younger brothers. In an interview with Christian Wikane of PopMatters, Fischer stated that she was influenced by Freda Payne, Marvin Gaye and Melba Moore, as well as others early in her childhood. Before Fischer launched her solo work, she was greatly influenced by the LGBT community. Fischer has described the experience of developing a stage image that has adventure, quality, and beauty. She said that she found inspiration for this image from make-up, wardrobe, and other things in the LGBTQ community around her. In 1983, under the stage name Xēna, Fischer released a Latin freestyle single, the electro classic "On the Upside". In 1984, a club track she recorded titled "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. However, Fischer began her music career supporting other artists providing backing vocals for artists including Melba Moore and Billy Ocean. She worked with many other famous singers, both as a session vocalist and sideman. She accompanied Luther Vandross whom she met through the mutual acquaintance of choreographer Bruce Wallace, who asked her to come to his agency for an audition. Fischer then traveled as a backup singer on his tours and sang on his albums until his death, in addition to other famous musicians, including Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass, and Roberta Flack.

Solo success

Fischer's solo 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. 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. When she was questioned asked about the inspiration for her album, Fischer replied that "I wasn't deep in search of a record deal, it was just one of those things that happened". In the movie 20 Feet From Stardom, Fischer's Grammy award for her hit single collects dust on a shelf. Fisher said she "just doesn't know what to do with it." Lisa Fischer was successful from her first album and her solo career, unfortunately she was unable to achieve that success with her second album. After an attempt to create a second album at Elektra Records it failed due to “energy shifts”. 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 she discontinued her career as a solo artist afterward was because she enjoyed being a backing singer much more than a solo artist. Fischer rejected the idea of never being satisfied and the theory of always aspiring for something more. She stated that she just enjoys doing music and supporting other artists. Fischer compares back-up singing to being a "tuning fork". In 1992, Lisa traveled to Japan to perform in the Earth Voice Concert with Lee Ritenour, Phil Perry, Bobby Caldwell, Brenda Russell, James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Anita Baker, and others. She sang her 1991 number-one R&B hit "How Can I Ease The Pain" and also sang background vocals for other artists. Returning to her solo career after singing backup for major artists and groups, Lisa Fischer has sold out six consecutive shows at the Jazz Standard in 2015.

Fischer has been engaged with dance throughout her career and worked with some ballet companies when she collaborated with Alonzo King to create music/dance pieces, and has performed at their world premieres.

1989-present: Rolling Stones

	"Gimme Shelter" (1995) Lisa Fischer performing "Gimme Shelter" with The Rolling Stones.
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Fischer maintained her career as a session singer and continues to accompany The Rolling Stones on every one of their tours since 1989. She worked as a backup vocalist during the same period 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 where she shares lead vocals, including "Monkey Man, and "Gimme Shelter", which showcases her vocal talents and is frequently on the set lists during their live concerts.

In 2012, she joined the Rolling Stones for their 50 & Counting Tour that began in October 2012 and toured internationally until July 2013. The band have announced that there will be a follow-up tour 14 ON FIRE. That was scheduled to start in February and they would be visiting the Middle East, Asia, and Europe in summer 2014, and Australia in the fall 2014. Lisa Fischer continues to work on music doing background vocals and she also is a songwriter for herself and other artists such as Anane Vega.

2007-present

Lisa Fischer continues to work on music doing background vocals and she also is a songwriter for artist such as Anane Vega.

Fischer also toured with Tina Turner on her Twenty Four Seven Tour. It was the worldwide top-grossing tour of 2000. 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 14, 2008 issue of Jet Magazine′s "Where Are They Now?" column. In 2009, Fischer completed touring with Tina Turner on her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour and she is featured on Turner's new live DVD-CD titled Tina Live. In the performance of Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, in 2009, Fischer 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, plus Fischer, performed the songs live in Durham Cathedral. The rehearsals as well as the concert were filmed and were released as a DVD. The behind the scenes documentary surrounding the event was produced jointly by the BBC and was screened on December 29 that year.

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 holiday engagement at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. She remained a guest artist with Botti's band in 2011 and continued to appear at their 2012 concerts.

Fischer is one of the main 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 highlights often unheralded minority women backup singers by archiving the oral histories of artists like Merry Clayton and Darlene Love and their experiences within the American music industry.

In 2013, Fischer joined the rock band Nine Inch Nails as a backing vocalist for their Tension 2013 tour.

In 2014 Fischer reunited with many of the backup singers in 20 Feet From Stardom including Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, and Judith Hill to sing the national anthem at the 100th Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. That same year it was announced that Fischer would be collaborating with performer Billy Childs on a studio project that would pay tribute to Laura Nyro's musical talent and life.

Lisa Fischer is currently on tour, this time singing lead with backup trio Grand Baton.

Discography

Solo albums

Year	Album	Peak positions
		US	US R&B
1991	So Intense 1st studio album Released: April 9, 1991 Label: Elektra Records	100	5

Singles

Year	Title				Album
1983	"On the Upside" (as Xena)	—	—	7	Non-album song
1984	"Only Love (Shadows)" (as Xena)	—	—	—
1990	"Glad to Be Alive"	—	31	—	The Adventures of Ford Fairlane - OST
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"	63	30	—	Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit - OST
1995	"Gimme Shelter" (Live)	—	—	—	No Security
2000	"Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)"	—	—	—	Eternity
	"24 Hour Woman"	—	—	—	Non-album song
2004	"(Why Should I) Think About the Rain"	—	—	—
2008	"Into My Life (You Brought the Sunshine)"	—	—	—
2010	"Love Will Know"	—	—	—

Soundtrack appearances

• 1990: The Adventures of Ford Fairlane
• 1992: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
• 1993: Made in America
• 1993: That Night
• 1998: Melrose Place Jazz
• 2001: Cowboy Bebop: Future Blues
• 2013: 20 Feet From Stardom

Album/DVD/single appearances

• 1985: Luther Vandross- The Night I Fell in Love
• 1986: Randy Crawford - Abstract Emotions
• 1986: Bob James - Obsession
• 1989: The Rolling Stones- Mixed Emotions (single)
• 1989: The Rolling Stones- Rock and a Hard Place (single)
• 1989: The Rolling Stones- Terrifying (single)
• 1989: The Rolling Stones- Steel Wheels (album)
• 1989: The Rolling Stones- Another Side of Steel Wheels (album, CBS/Sony Japan)
• 1990: The Rolling Stones- Almost Hear You Sigh (single)
• 1990: Sam Riney - Playing With Fire (album)
• 1991: The Rolling Stones- Flashpoint (album)
• 1991: The Rolling Stones- Ruby Tuesday (live) (Maxi single)
• 1991: The Rolling Stones- Ruby Tuesday/Harlem Shuffle (live) (single)
• 1993: The Rolling Stones- Jump Back (album)
• 1994: The Rolling Stones- Live Voodoo Lounge - Live New Jersey, August 14, 1994 (Tour souvenir video)
• 1995: The Rolling Stones- Voodoo Lounge - Live Miami, November 25, 1994 (DVD/Video)
• 1995: The Rolling Stones- I Go Wild (single) backing vocals: live track
• 1995: The Rolling Stones- Like A Rolling Stone (single)
• 1995: The Rolling Stones- Stripped (album)
• 1995: The Rolling Stones- Voodoo Lounge CD Rom - Co-Starring: Lisa Fischer (CD Rom game)
• 1996: The Rolling Stones- Wild Horses (Maxi single) backing vocals: live tracks
• 1996: Luther Vandross- Your Secret Love
• 1996: Nicklebag- 12 Hits and a Bump (album)
• 1997: Grover Washington, Jr.- Breath of Heaven: A Holiday Collection
• 1997: Lee Ritenour- This Is Love (album)
• 1997: Nicklebag- Mas Feedback (album)
• 1997: The Rolling Stones- Saint of Me (CD-single) Incl. Gimme Shelter (live Amsterdam, 1995) Vocals: Lisa Fischer
• 1998: The Rolling Stones- No Security (album)
• 1999: The Rolling Stones- Bridges To Babylon Tour 97-98 (DVD/Video)
• 2000: Various Artists - A Love Affair: The Music of Ivan Lins
• 2001: Tina Turner- One Last Time Live in Concert - Live London, 2000 (DVD)
• 2002: The Rolling Stones- Forty Licks (album)
• 2003: The Rolling Stones- Four Flicks - Live 2002/2003 Tour (4DVD)
• 2004: Chuck Leavell- What's in That Bag? (album)
• 2004: The Rolling Stones- Live Licks (album)
• 2004: Toronto Rocks (DVD)
• 2005: Tim Ries- The Rolling Stones Project (album)
• 2005: The Rolling Stones- Rarities 1971-2003 (album)
• 2005: Raul Midon - State of Mind
• 2006: Bernard Fowler- Friends With Privileges (Super Audio CD, Village Records Inc., Japan)
• 2006: Bernard Fowler- Friends With Privileges (album)
• 2006: The Rolling Stones- Biggest Mistake (single) backing vocals: 2 live tracks
• 2007: The Rolling Stones- The Biggest Bang - Live 2005/2006 Tour (4DVD)
• 2008: Aretha Franklin- This Christmas, Aretha (album)
• 2008: Tim Ries - Stones World (album)
• 2008: The Rolling Stones- Shine A Light (album)
• 2008: The Rolling Stones- Shine A Light (DVD)
• 2009: Tina Turner- Tina Live - Live Arnhem, March 21, 2009 (DVD/CD)
• 2009: Sting- If on a Winter's Night
• 2009: Sting- A Winter's Night Live from Durham Cathedral (DVD)
• 2010: Bobby McFerrin- VOCAbuLarieS
• 2010: The Rolling Stones- Exile on Main St. (remastered, backing vocals: CD2, bonus tracks) (album)
• 2010: The Rolling Stones- Exile On Main St. Rarities edition (album, USA release)
• 2010: The Rolling Stones- Plunded My Soul (Record Store Day single)
• 2010: Wingless Angels- Volumes I & II (album)
• 2011: Linda Chorney - Emotional Jukebox
• 2011: The Rolling Stones- Singles Box Set (1971-2006) Box Set Limited Edition 45CD's
• 2012: Chris Botti- Impressions (album)
• 2012: The Rolling Stones- Live at the Tokyo Dome (a digital official download through Google Music)
• 2012: The Rolling Stones- Light the Fuse (a digital official download through Google Music)
• 2012: The Rolling Stones- GRRR! (album)
• 2013: 121212 The Concert For Sandy Relief (album)
• 2013: 121212 The Concert For Sandy Relief (DVD)
• 2013: 20 Feet From Stardom, music from the motion picture (album)
• 2013: 20 Feet From Stardom (DVD)
• 2013: The Rolling Stones- Sweet Summer Sun (album)
• 2013: The Rolling Stones- Sweet Summer Sun (DVD)
• 2014: Billy Childs- Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro (album)
• 2015: Bernard Fowler- The Bura (album)
• 2015: The Rolling Stones- Live at the Tokyo Dome (album)
• 2015: The Rolling Stones- Live at the Tokyo Dome (DVD)
• 2016: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble- Sing Me Home (album)

Tours

• 1989/1990: Steel Wheels Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 1994/1995: Voodoo Lounge Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 1997/1998: Bridges to Babylon Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 1999: No Security Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 2003: A Twist of Motown- Various Artists
• 2000: Twenty Four Seven Tour - Tina Turner
• 2002/2003: Licks Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 2005/2007: A Bigger Bang Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 2008: Tina: Live in Concert Tour - Tina Turner
• Every Luther Vandross tour until his death including Luther, Live!.
• 2009: Tina Live - Tina Turner
• 2011: Chris Botti Tour 2011
• 2012/2013: 50 and Counting Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 2013: Tension 2013 - Nine Inch Nails
• 2014: 14 on Fire - The Rolling Stones
• 2015: Zip Code Tour - The Rolling Stones
• 2016 "Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton Tour"

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)
2015	Grammy Award for Best Music Film for "20 Feet From Stardom" (Won)

Filmography

Year	Film	Role
2013	20 Feet from Stardom	Herself

[ Source: Wikipedia ]