Who is on your list? For me, a few singers come immediately to mind. I love their work and wish they had done more:

HELEN TERRYShe was the big-voiced singer behind classic Culture Club. She belted on "Church of the Poison Mind" and "Black Money" among others.

JONEICE JAMIESON
She sang background vocals on a number of Eurythmics' (like "Missionary Man") and Shakespear's Sister' songs ("Sacred Heart"). Her voice takes me to church! I miss her -- where is she?!?!

RUBY TURNER
She has done extensive work with numerous artists, but my particular favorite is the work she's done with Corey Hart. (Quit laughing.)

MICA PARISI like the side vocals she did for Stereo MC's on "Connected." Luckily, she went on to put out more albums than they did!

MARTHA WASH/IZORA RHODES-ARMSTEAD
Stars in their own right as The Weather Girls and Two Tuns, their start as backup singers for Sylvester still stand as the very best in my book. Anyone with the "Living Proof" album will agree.

ROSIE GAINES
Yeah, it might be slanted to list her here, but you can't imagine "Diamonds & Pearls" without her! She also sang sone great backing vocals for Patti LaBelle and Louie Louie.

Anyone you'd mention?
[Edited 4/16/06 12:05pm]

that was mica paris?

aight..some additions (although i dont know all their names)...

the lady that did back up for Simple Minds....with the kick arse haircut...

shirley & pepsi- backup for Wham

the lady with the twists who has done back up for eryka badu and jill scott and is now touring with Mary J Blidge


Nikki & Donna- they brought something to Madge's live shows that has been missing since Donna left the fold

Leroy Osbourn- Backup for Sade (in concert and on Never As Good As The First Time)

This is a great thread

purpleunderground said:

She`s amazing, to bad she stopped singing


I didn`t know she started out as a backup singer, i love her solo work.
You should her her version of Gladys Knight and pips` "Nobody but you"


Another famous backup singer i like is Cissy Houston

Clare Torry's performance on Pink Floyd's Great Gig in the Sky is on my list.

I forgot to include:

MARCELLA DETROIT
She sang "Lay Down Sally" with Eric Clapton -- which she also co-wrote with him.

OFRA HAZA
Amazing work with Sisters of Mercy of "Temple of Love." I wish they had done a whole album together!

also SIETTA GARRETT
(I know I've misspelled her name). She is doing background vocals for Madonna on tour now. She's done LOTS of work with other people.
[Edited 4/16/06 13:26pm]

Siedah Garrett
Luther Vandross
Cissy Houston
Wonderlove
The Andantes
The Color Girls Rick James' backup vocalist (Mary Jane Girls)
Fonzi Thornton
Joeclyn Brown
Vesta Williams
Lisa Fischer
Martha Wash

Ímages are powerful than words!

purpleunderground said:

I instantly thought of Helen Terry upon reading the thread's topic.

Prince's own backround vocals on When Doves Cry.

Latoya screamed well on Heartbreak Hotel.

Lisa Fischer and the rest of Luther's background women.

Their sound is the perfect complement to his. And Lisa F's voice is a beautiful on its own. Too bad she only did solo album.


Also, Kelly price and here sister, and MaryAnn Tatm ("Tater Tot") singing backup for Mariah.

"ROSIE GAINES" owns this Post !

purpleunderground said:

Yes & she was awful..her voice has this over the top dramatic thing..
She ain't no Lisa Fischer or Niki Harris..

Plus, miss Siedah looked awfully awful..her body language I mean.

Lisa Lougheed

Martinelli said:

i have to agree...she just didnt fit in with madge's crew...

I always thought when Be of PM Dawn did his own backing harmonies he sounded amazing.. angelic type of singing..


beautiful

Thriller81 said:

Excellent list!

Chante Moore, Tawatha Agee(Mtume), Cindy Mizelle should be added.