AT THE MOVIES

With

  David Begelman

“20 Feet from Stardom:” The talent behind the lead
 

           Morgan Neville’s 2013 inspirational documentary about backup vocalists may

 

be the sleeper of the year. It tells a story about several singers who, despite their

 

enormous  skill and musicianship, have never made it to the top as celebrities. Who

 

even recognizes the names Claudia Lennear, Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa

 

Fischer, Táta Vega, Judith Hill or Jo Lawry? Not most of us.

But try asking the big ones: Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Joe Cocker, Mick Jagger, Tom Jones, George Harrison, Ike and Tina Turner, Leonard Skynyrd, Bette Midler, Ray Charles or Luther Vandross, all of whom appear in the film. Some of them have much to say about the stunning contribution of women who contribute more to the music of rock stars than anyone imagines. They also speak at some length about the fact that the cream of the crop backup vocalists often have more talent than the celebrities they showcase with their amazing voices. And those in the know are hardly clueless about this. In “20 Feet from Stardom” iconic recording artists speak to this reality in ways that couldn’t be more eloquent.

Sting for one makes it clear that the inability of many backup vocalists to achieve popularity and visible stardom as individual performers is probably due to factors that have nothing to do with their talent. He is certainly right, as anyone can see as the seven women do their thing separately (and sometimes in groups) in Neville’s commendable—and in many ways, wrenching—documentary.

The disappointed dreams of accomplished vocalists is an old story, and not one confined to rock, jazz or R & B singers. There are probably untold numbers of singers who, but for the proper timing or promotional or managerial resources, never receive the exposure they deserve. Even singers who have achieved renown within a coterie of aficionados may be complete strangers to a wider circle of the public. Take opera. Everyone knows Andrea Bocelli, while restaurateurs routinely pipe in his songs and arias. You can almost count on being in a restaurant when he is heard over the sound system. Yet Jussi Bjoerling, perhaps the finest tenor voice of his—or arguably, any—generation, is virtually an unknown to most of the public. And he enjoyed an illustrious recording career despite this. So exposure itself is a multifaceted affair, going from the difficulty of mounting a career as a solo artist, to distinguishing oneself in the role, but lacking wider public appeal.

Neville’s documentary has poignant moments as singers tell their stories about having to settle for backup vocalist roles or even, when push gets to shove, taking jobs as cleaning ladies when gigs are no longer available. But it’s when they sing, that the film lets you know what it’s all about.        

Take Lisa Fischer. The singer has been backup for Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Sting, and Luther Vandross. Robin Clark, also a background singer appearing in the film, lauded Fischer as having “the innate ability to become whatever or whoever is needed at any moment. She transcends all genres. It’s all in her delivery, which is connected by a deeply spiritual thread.” In other words, and in the opinion of this reviewer who listened to her for the first time in “20 Feet from Stardom,” Lisa Fischer’s voice is more than merely very good. It’s glorious. And something similar can be said for the other six in the group.

Neville’s 90-minute film premiered in January of 2013 at the Sundance Film Festival and is graced by skilled cinematographers Graham Willoughby and Nicola Marsh, both of whom have a deft hand in the use of montage. If and when yours truly is due for interment, you know whom he’d wish could sing at his memorial service. And it won’t be Britney Spears.