What do Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Sheryl Crow have in common besides unforgettable voices and hit songs? Before their names filled concert arenas and dominated radio stations, they spent time singing behind other performers.
Sometimes, it starts with lending your voice to someone else’s biggest hit. For some artists, those early gigs opened doors to record deals. For others, years of supporting established stars helped them develop the skills that eventually made them icons in their own right.
From a teenage Whitney Houston singing behind established performers to Sheryl Crow touring with Michael Jackson, these 14 musical journeys reveal what happened before the spotlight finally turned their way.
1. Whitney Houston Sang Backup Before Becoming a Vocal Powerhouse
Before Whitney Houston became one of pop music’s most celebrated voices, she was already working professionally as a backing vocalist. She began singing backup as a teenager, performing with artists including Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls.
Her early experience gave her valuable exposure to recording studios and live performances. When her self-titled debut album arrived in 1985, hits such as “Saving All My Love for You” helped transform the former supporting singer into a global superstar.
2. Mariah Carey Worked Behind Brenda K. Starr
Mariah Carey’s journey to pop superstardom began with a job singing backup for singer Brenda K. Starr. While trying to establish herself in New York’s competitive music scene, Carey landed the gig and eventually came to the attention of music executive Tommy Mottola.
Her self-titled debut album arrived in 1990, launching a career filled with chart-topping singles and astonishing vocal runs. The young singer who once supported another artist soon became one of pop’s biggest names.
3. Sheryl Crow Toured With Michael Jackson
Long before “All I Wanna Do” became a radio favorite, Sheryl Crow was building experience as a working musician. One of her biggest early opportunities was singing backup on Michael Jackson’s Bad World Tour from 1987 to 1989. She even appeared in his “Dirty Diana” music video. Although the tour exposed her to enormous audiences, Crow still had to find her own musical identity. Her 1993 album Tuesday Night Music Club eventually delivered the breakthrough that established her as a solo star.
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4. Luther Vandross Sang Behind Music’s Biggest Stars
Luther Vandross was already making other artists sound magnificent before his smooth baritone became an R&B trademark. During the 1970s, he sang background vocals for performers including David Bowie, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, and Diana Ross.
He also contributed to Bowie’s Young Americans and became known for his vocal arranging abilities. In 1981, Vandross released Never Too Much, introducing audiences to his own distinctive sound. His journey showed that the person delivering the perfect harmony might have a legendary voice of their own.
5. Michael McDonald Found His Voice With Steely Dan
Michael McDonald’s unmistakable baritone became a defining sound of late-1970s pop, but his early career involved supporting other musicians. Before joining the Doobie Brothers, he worked with Steely Dan, contributing keyboards and backing vocals to recordings including “Peg.” His voice soon became impossible to overlook, and he joined the Doobie Brothers in 1975. With McDonald taking on lead vocals, the band scored a massive hit with “What a Fool Believes” in 1979.
From unforgettable backup singers to music legends, discover the legendary voices that left a lasting mark on the music industry and continue to inspire generations.
6. Merry Clayton Made Rock History From the Background
Few background vocal performances have shaken listeners quite like Merry Clayton’s contribution to the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.” Recorded in 1969, her explosive vocals brought an unforgettable intensity to the song.
Clayton had already worked with prominent musicians, including Ray Charles, and continued performing with major artists throughout her career. She also released solo recordings, including her 1970 album Gimme Shelter.
7. Darlene Love Was a Hidden Voice Behind Hit Records
Darlene Love helped create the sound of 1960s pop through her work with the Blossoms, a talented vocal group frequently hired for recording sessions. Producer Phil Spector used Love’s voice on records that became major hits, sometimes without giving her the recognition she deserved. She sang lead on the Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel,” despite many listeners associating the record with the group itself.
8. Lisa Fischer Turned Years of Backup Singing Into a Grammy Win
Lisa Fischer spent years lending her powerful voice to established performers, including Luther Vandross, before achieving recognition as a solo artist. Her breakthrough arrived with “How Can I Ease the Pain” in 1991, which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Yet Fischer did not abandon backing vocals after winning music’s most prestigious awards. She became a celebrated touring vocalist for the Rolling Stones, and the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom helped introduce her remarkable talent to a wider audience.
9. Deniece Williams Sang With Stevie Wonder Before Going Solo
Before her own recordings became R&B favorites, Deniece Williams worked as a backing vocalist in Stevie Wonder’s Wonderlove ensemble during the early 1970s. Performing alongside one of music’s most influential artists gave her valuable experience and helped develop her distinctive vocal style.
Williams launched her solo career with This Is Niecy in 1976, featuring the memorable song “Free.” She later scored another major success with “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” Her journey demonstrates how singing in a legendary musician’s ensemble can prepare an artist for an independent career.
10. Rita Coolidge Went From Session Singer to Chart Star
Rita Coolidge built her reputation as a versatile session vocalist in the early 1970s, singing with musicians such as Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, and Stephen Stills. She also joined Cocker’s famous Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, where her performances helped establish her reputation as a compelling singer.
Coolidge eventually stepped forward with her own recordings, scoring a major hit in 1977 with “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.” Her later success with “We’re All Alone” confirmed that her voice could command attention without a famous artist leading the performance.
11. P. P. Arnold Began as an Ikette for Ike and Tina Turner
P. P. Arnold entered the music business as an Ikette, performing behind Ike and Tina Turner before developing a solo career of her own. Touring with the duo brought her to Britain in 1966, where she stayed and connected with influential musicians, including members of the Rolling Stones.
Arnold subsequently released solo material, scoring British hits with “The First Cut Is the Deepest” and “Angel of the Morning.” Her career crossed several musical worlds, demonstrating that a background role could become the launchpad for a distinctive artistic identity.
From unforgettable singers to legendary guitarists, explore the musicians whose talent and influence changed the sound of music for generations.
12. Katy Perry Sang Backup Before Becoming a Pop Sensation
Katy Perry’s early musical journey looked very different from the colorful pop spectacle she would later become famous for. Before hits such as “I Kissed a Girl” and “Firework,” she recorded Christian music under her birth name, Katy Hudson.
During her early career, she also provided backing vocals for Christian rock band P.O.D. on “Goodbye for Now.” Her eventual move into mainstream pop transformed her image and sound, turning a developing singer with gospel roots into an international chart-topping performer.
13. Kesha Sang Behind Other Artists Before Her Breakthrough
Before Kesha became the face of party-pop anthems, she worked behind the scenes as a songwriter and backing vocalist. Her early credits included backing vocals on Britney Spears’ “Lace and Leather” and Flo Rida’s “Right Round.”
She also wrote songs for other performers while trying to establish herself as an artist. In 2009, her appearance on “Right Round” helped introduce her voice to a huge audience. Her solo single “Tik Tok” followed that year, turning her into one of pop’s breakout stars.
14. Kelly Price Built Her Career Behind R&B Superstars
Kelly Price developed her powerful gospel-influenced voice through years of backing-vocal work for established performers, including Mariah Carey and George Michael. Those recording sessions helped her gain professional experience while audiences remained largely unaware of her own potential.
In 1998, Price released her debut album, Soul of a Woman, which established her as a solo R&B artist. Her single “Friend of Mine” became a major success, earning her recognition for the expressive vocals that had previously helped other performers shine.
While some musicians remain legends for generations, these rock stars once enjoyed massive fame but have since faded from the spotlight.
Conclusion
The journeys of these music legends who were backup singers show that a supporting role does not have to be the final destination.
Their experiences also celebrate the often-overlooked contribution of backup singers, whose harmonies and vocal power have shaped countless classic records. Some eventually became household names, while others earned lasting respect for their work both onstage and in the studio. Either way, their stories prove that standing behind a superstar can be an extraordinary first step toward becoming one yourself.
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