December 1: R&B singer and Rolling Stones backup, Lisa Fischer is 55-years-old today.

From Life Magazine

Lisa Fischer was born in the Fort Greene neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Before pursuing a solo career, she accompanied R&B singer Luther Vandross as a backup singer on his tours and albums for 22 years, until his death.

She has also backed up Melba Moore, Billy Ocean, the Rolling Stones, and been as session vocalist and  backup singer for Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Teddy Pendergrass and Roberta Flack.

As a solo artist, Lisa gained musical fame in 1991 with her debut album So Intense, which produced the Grammy Award winning hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain." Known for her high notes, which extends into the whistle register, Fischer has been recognized as one of the most successful session vocalists of the era.

In 1983, under the stage name Xena, Fischer released a freestyle single, the electro classic "On the Upside." In 1984, a club track she recorded entitled "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.

Her career peaked with the 1991 release of "How Can I Ease the Pain" from her album So Intense, which went 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. Also it peaked at #100 on the Billboard 200 chart.

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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 is currently a singer and songwriter and has been touring as a backup vocalist with the Rolling Stones since 1987. One song, "Gimme Shelter" showcases her vocal talents and is frequently on the set lists during their live concerts.

Fischer has also toured with Tina Turner for her "Twenty Four Seven Tour." The tour was the top grossing of 2000 worldwide. She continued to sing backup for Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones as well as compose songs for herself and up-and-coming artists.

There are some songs that are now staples during tours with the Rolling Stones.  She is featured on Turner's new live DVD/CD, entitled Tina Live. She 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.

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For more about Lisa, visit her Website at -

http://lisafischermusic.com/

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