20 Feet From Stardom

"Fucking AM-AZ-ING" doesn't begin to describe the magic that is Lisa Fischer. Darlene Love is a national treasure. Merry Clayton changed music. But Lisa. Words fail.

This film was on my 2013 Top 10 list.

I missed it in the cinema - it didn't play for long. Looks really good, though.

They showed a bunch of people - Janice Pendarvis, who I remember from early solo Sting videos, Darlene and Merry, a woman named Claudia Lennear (apparently with the Stones and possibly an ex lover of Micks) and Tata Vega, who I knew from being the voice that sings Shug's part in "The Color Purple" film.

They also showed Patti Austin, who (a) looks fabulous and (b) I wouldn't have quite put into the category of stuck behind the lead, because she's had some success on her own.

Surprised Martha Wash was left out, but her story is a bit different - and probably could merit a documentary of its own!

the best film about music in a LONG time

I would've loved to see Helen Terry from Culture Love. Granted, she probably don't have the history of others but truly one of the best voices I've ever heard.

Lisa is the BOMB!

Why is no one recording Lisa Fischer? Why?

Have loved Clayton's albums since they were released.

The film is OUTSTANDING! Saw "20 Feet" and then caught Darlene Love's show at BBKings, it truly was wonderful! Took friends to see the documentary, the Director was present and Lisa Fischer performed acapella. Ms Fischer shared that her second album is in the works and that she shortly will be returning to tour wtth Mick Jagger.

"Twenty Feet" shot up the list and is now is a good position to win the Oscar. If this film does win, many lives will be changed at most and at the very least lifetimes lived in the shadows will be recognized for genius. It is beautiful, dont miss it!

Trying to figure out what song Merry was singing when they showed her trying her solo career in the 70s. I want to get her solo albums.

I absolutely loved this documentary. Amazing. R11, Merry was singing Neil Young's "Southern Man" in the film, which was a nice counterpoint to "Sweet Home Alabama."

I loved this film. Totally crushing on Lisa Fischer. Judith Hill was a bit bland, compared to the others. She has singing talent but she's missing star quality.

Lisa Fischer with Chris Botti and one hell of a band. She is a bad ass wonder.

The Look of Love.

Great documentary. I'm just pissed Lisa passed on a solo career after her first album. She should be a major star but prefers being in the background.

I loved this film and am thrilled it's coming around for a second time in the theaters. I love to watch old performances on YouTube and it's fun to recognize some of these incredible artists. They show up in a few old David Bowie performances.

Where were you cunts when I posted about this last April?

Some of us have known about Lisa Fischer for 30 years. I am glad this documentary gives her new cred, but she didn't need it in the music industry. It is one rough business, and she has been mostly doing what she wants to do.

Lisa won a Grammy back when, tied with Patti Labelle. They both loved Luther - Patti was his idol and friend, Lisa sang behind him and was championed by him. Fischer could have had a much more prestigious career in some ways, but she has been more than a success.

She was is and will be the bomb, but most of the people who have 'discovered' her haven't followed the great R&B singers, male or female.

The great Tina Turner turned the stage over to Lisa on her final tour. In a world of cynical collaborations, Lisa has been 20 feet behind many singers, but the Stones, Tina, and Luther made sure she got out front. Even Patti.

Just saw this...LOVED it! Great music, great singers. How'd you like to sitting around the table after Thanksgiving dinner with the Waters Family, and they start doing their thing. Bliss!!!!

Lisa Fischer's How Can I Ease the Pain is R&B perfection.

So how is it that these B-team singers are soooo much better than they people they support and yet the Britney Spears of the world are headlining Vegas? Something is very, very wrong.

I just saw this documentary last night and was blown away by it.

[quote]I'm just pissed Lisa passed on a solo career after her first album. She should be a major star but prefers being in the background.

Lisa makes it clear that after her first album that her label, didn't know what to do with her. Lisa herself admitted to not know where to position herself. And her second album just took too long and the window of opportunity closed on her solo album.

They movie makes the point that all of these women at some point wanted a solo career. All of them tried, but it just didn't happen for them unfortunately.

Merry Clayton describing her Gimme Shelter session with the Rolling Stones rocked me. When I heard her vocals on that song I got chills and was moved to tears it was so emotionally raw; absolutely nothing like anything we hear now.

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

Merry Clayton Gimme Shelter vocals

Is this on Netflix?

Merry Clayton used to be on Cagney & Lacey as the third female cop in the shop.

Never mind. I checked, it is!

[quote]So how is it that these B-team singers are soooo much better than they people they support and yet the Britney Spears of the world are headlining Vegas? Something is very, very wrong.

As Sting says in the docu, nothing about it is fair. The music business is a business. It's all about a product. Culture doesn't value amazing vocalists anymore, we want entertainers. Madonna wasn't the first artist to prove this but she was the first to gain mega-stardom based on sheer will to succeed and very limited vocal ability.

You have to be a rare breed of person to want mega-stardom and celebrity. And being able to blow the roof off vocally doesn't always line up with the ability to promote yourself.

Look at Shania Twain.

Darlene Love performed in the last season of the Palm Springs Follies, which I saw for the first time this May.

Darlene was amazing. So was the rest of the cast. I thought it would be lame, but these older entertainers were just superb. There was one woman in her eighties...and still hoofing!

Darlene Love originated the role of the gym teacher in Carrie; The Musical on broadway

I'm watching it now. I'm a musician and am really enjoying it! Glad it's on netflix streaming.

I loved this film

Wikipedia claims that merry Clayton miscarried directly after doing that fateful "gimme shelter" session. Can this be true?

I just saw the film at the Mendocino Film Festival on Friday, May 30th. Claudia Linnear was there, very impressive intelligent woman....outrageous singer.

This is a great film if you get a chance to see it!

Interesting appearance and remarks from Susaye Green the last of the Supremes.

On a separate note, IIRC Merry Clayton aspired to be a member of the post Ross Supremes and sought the gig when others left. She was nixed because she "did not have the look".

I saw it within the past month after my sister raved about it, and it was wonderful. Collectively, the stories of these amazing performers was another example of how the less talented and less deserving are often more fortunate and successful -- in all areas of life -- than those who truly have the goods.

Yes, Sting did acknowledge that the industry is unfair. However, I do not believe that the inability to promote themselves kept these singers from having breakout solo careers -- at least, not entirely. After all, that is the job of managers, record companies, and the like.

Racism -- touched upon in the doc -- was a factor, particularly in the 50s, 60s, and even into the 70s. Also, marketability is a huge factor. In general, during their era (and even now) mainstream audiences didn't want to see or purchase the music of people who resemble the powerhouses in the doc. The Arethas, Luthers, Pattis, and Gladyses were the exceptions -- and even then, they were almost always stuck in limited, niche markets.

Marketability is just as important today. In fact, many say it is even worse these days because the 21st century entertainment culture is more about being young and beautiful than ever before. That is why I'm curious about what will happen with Judith Hill's career (I was glad that she was included in the doc to provide a younger, contemporary compliment and contrast to the greats who were featured). She's young, beautiful, and immensely talented; but, who will champion her, how will she be positioned, and how good (i.e., marketable) will her product be?

Want to see a really good movie? Wes Anderson's Hotel Budapest. Absolutely stunning. Acting is sensational. Fantastic story, plus, George Clooney...unbilled,

Judith Hill was on The Voice and was eliminated surprisingly early. I think it was because she didn't project much personality. She's strikingly beautiful and a very talented singer but just seemed devoid of memorable personality.

I agree with R40. Star power plays a major part in the success of one's career. And I am not talking about ambition or talent. There has to be something more, the person has to have a certain energy, that draws us in. Judith Hill does not have it. When watching the documentary, she falls flat. She comes across as a hard worker and talented, but that's not entertaining or engaging.

[quote]That is why I'm curious about what will happen with Judith Hill's career

And it's not necessarily racist, because everyone fills a space in the industry, but Judith Hill won't happen because there is already Alecia Keys.

I just watched this again for the first time since its original release. Still incredibly powerful. Does anyone know where all the singers featured are these days? Darlene Love seems to still be going strong with lots of touring. Lisa appears to have retired from singing with The Stones -- I suppose, eventually, Gimme Shelter just becomes too much.