Backup singers who became famous

StarsInsider

Backup singers who became famous

Stars Insider

Posted: 8 August 2023 | Last updated: 28 October 2023

<p>Some of the most sonorous voices in the world ring through popular songs as backing vocals. As an artist, it takes time to work your way up, and so many of the famous musicians of the day feature in unexpected songs.</p><p>Numerous great artists were only ever backing singers when they should have been stars. Luckily, a few reached stardom. Here is a collection of the best-known artists who broke out from the shadows. Click on for more!</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow Us</a></p>

Getty Images

Backup singers who became famous

Some of the most sonorous voices in the world ring through popular songs as backing vocals. As an artist, it takes time to work your way up, and so many of the famous musicians of the day feature in unexpected songs.

Numerous great artists were only ever backing singers when they should have been stars. Luckily, a few reached stardom. Here is a collection of the best-known artists who broke out from the shadows. Click on for more!

<p>"Find out what your gift is and nurture it."</p>

Getty Images

Katy Perry

You may not believe that Katy Perry started out as a backup singer for a Christian metal band called P.O.D (Payable on Death). If you look up the song 'Goodbye for Now,' you will see Perry in the music video.

<p>Lopez is first and foremost a <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/celebrity/456548/celebrities-who-were-professional-dancers" rel="noopener">dancer</a>. She first did some backup singing and dancing for Janet Jackson until she decided to focus on acting instead.</p>

Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez is first and foremost a dancer. She first did some backup singing and dancing for Janet Jackson until she decided to focus on acting instead.

Even though he is one of the biggest stars in the world, he was first a staff songwriter and backup singer.

Getty Images

Elton John

Even though he is one of the biggest stars in the world, he was first a staff songwriter and backup singer...

Getty Images

John Legend

Legend's friendship with Kanye West led him to do backing vocals and piano for tracks sung by Alicia Keys and rapper Talib Kweli. Soon, West and Legend worked together on his first solo track that propelled him onto fame...

You may also like: The highest-grossing movies of all-time

Getty Images

Madonna

Before she was a singer, Madonna was actually a backup dancer. She even went on tour with singer Patrick Hernandez. When it was discovered she could sing, she also did some backing vocals until she eventually left to make a girl band.

Getty Images

Pink

Pink began her road to stardom singing backup in some Philadelphia clubs until she was picked up by a record label. She then joined two girl groups that didn't work out before she found her feet as a solo artist.

<p>Whitney Houston comes from a family of musicians. Her mother was a backup singer and helped Houston get into the scene. From the moment they heard her, she was asked to work as a backing singer for Chaka Khan and Jermaine Jackson. It was not long until her voice drew her into the solo limelight.</p>

Getty Images

Whitney Houston (1963-2012)

Whitney Houston comes from a family of musicians. Her mother was a backup singer and helped Houston get into the scene. From the moment they heard her, she was asked to work as a backing singer for Chaka Khan and Jermaine Jackson. It was not long until her voice drew her into the solo limelight.

Getty Images

Phil Collins

Before Genesis and his own successful solo career, Phil Collins played drums and did some backing vocals while Peter Gabriel took the main stage.

You may also like: Funny facts that will brighten your day

Getty Images

Cher

You would never guess this leading lady would have ever done backing vocals, but everyone has to start somewhere. Cher began by working for producer Phil Spector (1939-2021). He had her singing famous songs such as 'Be My Baby' and 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling.'

Getty Images

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey started out singing for R&B artist Brenda K. Starr. Starr gave Carey's demo to the head of Sony Music Entertainment, who launched her career.

<p>Luther Vandross, now famous for his tunes 'Never Too Much' and 'Dance with My Father,' was brought in by artists such as David Bowie and Ringo Starr before he found success with his solo career.</p>

Getty Images

Luther Vandross (1951-2005)

Luther Vandross, famous for his tunes 'Never Too Much' and 'Dance with My Father,' was brought in by artists such as David Bowie and Ringo Starr before he found success with his solo career.

<p>Crow sang with Michael Jackson on his Bad tour in the 1980s. She was on stage singing 'Dirty Diana' with him and also appeared in the corresponding music video.</p>

Getty Images

Sheryl Crow

Crow sang with Michael Jackson on his Bad tour in the 1980s. She was on stage singing 'Dirty Diana' with him and also appeared in the corresponding music video.

<p>Her first entrance onto the music scene was as a backup vocalist for Father MC on the track 'I'll Do 4 U.' Blige continued to sing on other people's <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/celebrity/452730/musicians-who-were-dropped-by-their-record-label" rel="noopener">records</a> until she released her hit single 'What's the 411?'</p>

Getty Images

Mary J. Blige

Her first entrance onto the music scene was as a backup vocalist for Father MC on the track 'I'll Do 4 U.' Blige continued to sing on other people's records until she released her hit single 'What's the 411?'

Getty Images

Faith Evans

Faith Evans has sung the brilliant songs 'I'll Be Missing You' and 'Love Like This.' Before her solo career, her fantastic voice can be heard in the background of tracks by Usher and Mary J. Blige herself...

<p>McDonald, who later became the lead singer for the band the Doobie Brothers, began his career working for other artists. His vocals appear on hits by the likes of <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/music/318591/beat-it-the-best-drummers-in-the-world" rel="noopener">Steely Dan</a>, Tim Moore, and Gary Wright.</p>

Getty Images

Michael McDonald

McDonald, who later became the lead singer for the band the Doobie Brothers, began his career working for other artists. His vocals appear on hits by the likes of Steely Dan, Tim Moore, and Gary Wright.

<p>The singer of the hits 'White Flag' and 'Thank You' started off at the back of a band. Her brother led the group Faithless, in which her voice features. A label picked up on her talent and supported her to make her first album.</p>

Getty Images

Dido

The singer of the hits 'White Flag' and 'Thank You' started off at the back of a band. Her brother led the group Faithless, in which her voice features. A label picked up on her talent and supported her to make her first album.

You may also like: Mistakes dog owners make all the time

<p>Harris is an icon of country music. She has won 14 Grammys as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The song 'Boulder to Birmingham' brought her widespread fame, and she has worked with artists such as Mark Knopfler from <span>Dire Straits</span> and Nick Cave.</p>

Getty Images

Emmylou Harris

Before her solo career, Harris toured with Gram Parsons, who she later fell in love with.

Getty Images

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani was originally a backing vocalist in her brother's band No Doubt. When lead singer John Spence took his own life in 1987, she eventually became the band's lead vocalist. Her brother would go on to leave the band before its massive success.

Getty Images

Dave Grohl

Don't forget that before becoming the lead singer of the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl was the drummer and backing vocalist for Nirvana!

Getty Images

Keri Hilson

The beautiful Keri Hilson was a songwriter and singer from a young age. Her experience as a teen in the industry connected her with artists such as Mary J. Blige and Usher. It was not until her song 'In a Perfect World...' that she moved to the foreground.

Along with the Beatles, the Rolling Stone front man attended a 10-day conference on TM held by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967.

Getty Images

Mick Jagger

While he was already famous by this time, many do not know that the Rolling Stones legend did some backing vocals voluntarily on other tracks. Among them are Carly Simpson's 'You're So Vain' and the Beatles' 'All You Need Is Love.'

Getty Images

Sting

Sting has sung on multiple albums, but less out of necessity and more from artistic experimentation. His voice appears on Phil Collins' album 'No Jacket Required' (1985) and on some Arcadia tracks.

You may also like: Secret sects rejected by early Christianity

<p>Williams released several singles in the '80s such as 'Sweet, Sweet Love' and 'Once Bitten Twice Shy.' Throughout her career, she has sung on tracks for many artists including Sting and Chaka Khan.</p>

Getty Images

Vesta Williams (1957-2011)

Williams released several singles in the '80s such as 'Sweet, Sweet Love' and 'Once Bitten Twice Shy.' Throughout her career, she has sung on tracks for many artists including Sting and Chaka Khan.

<p>The singer of the tune 'We're All Alone' sang with some of the biggest musical names of the 1970s. The most famous are Bob Dylan and and Eric Clapton.</p>

Getty Images

Rita Coolidge

The singer of the tune 'We're All Alone' sang with some of the biggest musical names of the 1970s. The most famous are Bob Dylan and and Eric Clapton.

You may also like: Gorgeous backless dresses worn by celebs

Getty Images

Angie Stone

The wonderful Angie Stone worked with the greats as a backing singer until she made her own career. Her vocals were used by artists such as D'Angelo and Lenny Kravitz.

Getty Images

P. P. Arnold

P.P. Arnold, best known for her version of 'The First Cut is the Deepest,' toured twice with Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters.

You may also like: The best enemies-to-lovers movies

<p>Known for his hit 'Charlene,' Hamilton was a backing singer for D'Angelo on his 2000 tour.</p><p>Sources: (<a href="https://www.insider.com/famous-singers-started-as-backup-vocalists-2020-12" rel="noopener">Insider</a>)(<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-started-as-backup-singers/ranker-music" rel="noopener">Ranker</a>)(<a href="https://www.fame10.com/entertainment/15-backup-singers-who-made-it-big/" rel="noopener">Fame10</a>)</p><p>See also: <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/celebrity/371458/famous-actors-who-are-also-musicians">Famous actors who are also musicians</a></p>

Getty Images

Anthony Hamilton

Known for his hit 'Charlene,' Hamilton was a backing singer for D'Angelo on his 2000 tour.

Sources: (Insider)(Ranker)(Fame10)

More for You

Shane Drumgold's lawyers say he was not afforded natural justice during inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann's prosecution

Lawyers deny journalist received preferential treatment by Walter Sofronoff during inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann prosecution

Joe Biden will ‘refuse’ to debate Donald Trump: Ami Horowitz

Ukraine posts night vision video of them sinking Russian landing vessel Caesar Kunikov

Beetroots are easy to grow in a backyard garden.

Australia's tinned beetroot shortage is a reminder you can grow this vegie at home - here's how

EU told Slovakia that its reforms risked ‘irreparable damage’ to rule of law

Praying yourself thin: How the weight loss industry weaponised Christianity

Alex Carey has equalled a cricket world record for catches in an innings while playing for SA.

Carey equals catches world record in SA cup win

Qantas passengers warned to expect extended disruptions as Network Aviation pilots strike

Joe Biden takes Donald Trump to task over anti-Nato comments

All the new cars, utes and SUVs coming to Australia in 2023

The cheapest electric cars in Australia

Meet the European prime minister Putin wants locked up

‘Massive failure’: Concerns for electricity system in Australia following outages

Communities in the far north already hit by flooding are preparing for more wild weather.

Flood-hit regions prepare as cyclone watch issued

Bicarb soda in a dish works wonders on odours.

Why we use bicarb soda to clean: The surprising connection between Oppenheimer and sodium bicarbonate

Breakdown of the $95,000,000,000 aid to Ukraine and Israel passed by US Senate

Games will allow athletes to use banned substances

Houthis strike Iran-bound grain ship in first Red Sea attack in six days

Rebels players training at Gosch’s Paddock last week.

Rebels’ survival hopes fading as CEO and staff lose jobs, coaches given four-month contracts

Treasury secretary sees light at the end of the economic tunnel but remains tight-lipped on tax

‘Desperate’: Biden joins TikTok despite ‘security implications’ and govt ban