Famous backup singers

Cher started out as a backup singer on a lot of those girl group Phil Spector records.

Sheryl Crow - sang background vocals for Stevie Wonder, Belinda Carlisle, Jimmy Buffett, Don Henley and some others.

Katey Sagal, Melissa Manchester and Jenifer Lewis were all Harlettes at various points.

Cissy Houston (mother of Whitney) - Sang backup for just about everybody including Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Carly Simon, Roberta Flack, etc.

Talk show host, Jenny Jones, started out as a backup singer for Wayne Newton

You need to watch the outstanding documentary, "20 Feet From Stardom."

Toni Tennille. For a time it was like every singer of importance wanted her in the studio as backup. She made a fortune even before her own hits. Elton John, Pink Floyd , Simon and Garfunkel(both group and solo), The Beach Boys, Ella Fitzgerald, and others.

There's a Spotify playlist of all the songs Michael McDonald has sung backup on. Besides lead vocals for the Doobie Brothers, he sang backup for everybody from Elton, Carly, Diana and Aretha to Bonnie Raitt, Christopher Cross and James Ingram. Even Connie Francis!

Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs (& I think another Bangles member) sang backup on many hits from Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven On Earth" album as did a couple Wilson Phillips girls.

Gloria Estefan sang backup for Jon Secada on "Just Another Day" and the Spanish version, "Otro día más sin verte"

Telma Hopkins did backing vocals on the theme from shaft and Johnnie Taylor’s Disco Lady. The “shut yo mouth” part in the shaft song is Telma.

Check out the YouTube video of Bowie's 1974 appearance on Dick Cavett's show. Luther's in there, but hard to see because he's in front of a dark curtain.

And then afterward the interview segment with Cavett is a disaster because DB was so high.

r6, i would HIGHLY recommend this

Laura Branigan was in demand as backup before she had fame in her own right.

And then she died.

Sheryl Crow also sang backup for Michael Jackson.

Cissy Houston also sang backup (with the Sweet Inspirations) for Elvis Presley.

The Wilson Phillips girls: only one of them, maybe two, could sing. Chynna Phillips was not really a singer.

Gloria Reuben quit ER to go on the road and sing backup for Tina Turner.

Cissy Houston sang back up for Connie Francis. on several recordings. Bobby Darin also sang backup for Connie and billed himself as The Jaybird. Songwriter Ellie Greenwich sang backup for Connie.

Dusty Springfield was a backup singer on Elton John’s The Bitch is Back.

Michael Bolton pops in singing backup near the end of Whenever You Close Your Eyes.

What are “famous background singers”?

Mariah Carey was a backup singer for Brenda K Star before she was signed to Columbia. I believe she sang backup on Star’s “I Still Believe” and remade the song as a tribute to her.

I’ve sang verse, bridge and hook on numerous tracks.

Carole King sings backup on Carly Simon's "Attitude Dancing," and Linda Ronstadt sings backup on Carly's "Half a Chance."

Luther Vandross did more than song backup for David Bowie. He was a co-writer and producer on that album.

Rod Sterling sang backup for Etta James, they also fucked off and on for years.

r21 Let's see if we can break it down for you. I'm not OP, but I'm going to suggest that by 'famous background singers" he meant famous people who sang background. Does that help?

Correct, r27, and I gave examples.

Michael Jackson and The Temptations did backup on songs.

Mick Jagger sang backup on Carly Simon's You're So Vain. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.

Where’s my background singers?

John Legend started out as a background singer

Stevie Nicks has done a shitload of backup singing for friends. Her best is in Gold.

For those who know Robbie Williams, Nail Tennent from the Pet Shop Boys and Style Council's Paul Weller sang backup on "No Regrets".

[quote] There's a Spotify playlist of all the songs Michael McDonald has sung backup on. Besides lead vocals for the Doobie Brothers, he sang backup for everybody from Elton, Carly, Diana and Aretha to Bonnie Raitt, Christopher Cross and James Ingram. Even Connie Francis!

Lalah Hathaway is nominated for a Grammy for a love!y song she recorded with prominent backing vocals by Michael McDonald, "No Lie."

Cissy Houston is featured prominently on this beautiful song by Bette Midler.

Can anyone give info on the background singers for the several wonderful Bachrach/David/Warwick albums on Scepter Records in the 60s? I've searched on the internet but not sure if Cissy Houston, the Sweet Inspirations, and/or DeeDee Warwick were involved. Just listening and focusing on one small portion of the arrangement (like the backup) on these records is so pleasurable.

I remember being surprised to see Cheryl Crow on the "pink Houses" video by John Mellencamp, back when MTV was actually music television

Sheryl ^^^^^ oh dear.

20 Feet from Stardom is a movie about background singers, in general.

Really R40? Who knew?

Art was famous and great as a back up singer

Carrie Underwood has done backup vocals for Brad Paisley in the past.

[Quote]I remember being surprised to see Cheryl Crow on the "pink Houses" video by John Mellencamp,

Cheryl Crow's pussy not only stinks but sings backup, as well.

You can hear it harmonizing on some mixes of Wet Ass Pussy.

Martha and the Vandellas sang backup on Marvin Gaye's "Hitchhike." Maybe also "Stubborn Kind of Fella."

Or was it both?

Isn't there a documentary about backup singers?.Ten Feet from Famous or something?

R38 - are you sure that's Sheryl Crow? I can't find anything about that. It's supposedly Carrol Sue Hill in the video, a singer who never quite made it big.

r44 Meh, you tried - and failed.

The great Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and Brian May provided backing vocals for Ian Hunter's You Nearly Did Me In

They start at 1:35 — you can't miss their typical Queen sound!

the best backing vocals ever done was by Olivia in John Denver's Fly Away.

Not super famous, but Katey Sagal was a backup singer for Bette Middler.

Sting sang on Dire Straits "Money for Nothing."

A young, pre-fame Madonna was a backup singer on Patrick Hernandez’ global hit « Born to be alive ». She has said this is the experience that convinced her to become a singer rather than a professional dancer.

Kim Carnes has sung backup for a number of artists both before and after her own recording career. (David Cassidy, Dolly Parton, Paul Anka, Rita Coolidge, Tim McGraw, Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick, Tina Turner among others)

WHEN WE!

For you young queers, the most famous, as she is the actual voice of Britney Spears, Ms Emma Nilsdottir

R22, I don't know her.

Katey Sagal also sang backup for Olivia on her "Soul Kiss" single in 1985.

The Pointer Sisters sang back-up on Streisand's single "Emotion" in 1984 (when they were hot with their own career).

I just finished Cher's memoir (very enjoyable to read). I loved reading about her early days as a back-up singer - what a start to her career.