Or, failing that, any backup singer from yesteryear. This despite the fact that I haven't the talent but when did THAT ever stop me? I'll be content just to wear the twist fringe.
In any case, if you love backup singers as much as I do, you'll want to see "20 Feet From Stardom," a documentary following such gifted artists as Darlene Love, Claudia Lennear, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Táta Vega, Gloria Jones and Jo Lawry, among many others.
Go behind the scenes and see them in action, hear them talk about their experiences and find out where they are today.
It's shocking to think that following her rise to fame, one of the best-known voices, Darlene Love, hit a rough patch. Her career was derailed by Phil Spector and she became a maid, cleaning houses to make ends meet.
The Blossoms (Darlene Love, centre) singing backup for Marvin Gaye.
As Darlene Love tells it...
So I was cleaning this one lady's house in Beverly Hills and I heard "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" on the radio. I said, "That's me singing that. This is ridiculous! People are playing my records. If they want to play my records that means people still want to hear me." I quit that job and decided to go to work. I had never called on any of my friends to give me a helping hand, but at that time I did. I called Lou Adler and told him I needed a little financial help to get back on my feet. I also called Dionne Warwick, and she helped me. It was just to get going again; just to give me a little push. Because you need financial help, I don't care which way you go.
Thankfully, Darlene's made a triumphant comeback. You can't keep a good Diva down.
These backing vocalists (women and men) enhanced the performances of legendary music stars yet until now, they haven't been given the recognition and respect they deserve.
There are many more stories in this award-winning documentary. And there's FABULOSITY GALORE.
If my recommendation isn't good enough for you Bitches, take a look at the list of accolades the film has received.
Enjoy!
"Mistress MJ always wanted to be an Ikette"
ReplyDeleteI suppose we could take turns slapping The Mistress around if that would suffice.
LX: In my old post, I mentioned that Ike didn’t pay them much, the Ikettes didn’t receive royalties, and I’ve heard you had to sleep with Ike Turner to keep your job. Not to mention the slapping around.
DeleteI’ll just take the twist fringe dresses, thank you, and cancel my tour.
they'll throw you off the bus naked...
Deleteno dress, no wig.
And here I thought you've been eying soccer crotches all this time.
ReplyDeleteHowever, The BEST backup singer who made it big was Luther Vandross (swoon). His version of Superstar is the best!
GROUCHY: Even a footie fan needs a break from crotch-watching. (I can't believe I said that.)
DeleteLuther is missed. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 9 years.
BTW, Luther was gay. AND, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm kinda gettin' into these soccer players. Viva Mexico! ARRIBA!!!!!!!!!
DeleteGROUCHY: So ya see what I’m sayin’?
DeleteCan the Mistress not get a twist fringe done at the Hair Hall of Fame, then video herself wailing into a hairbrush so we can be the judges of the talent (or lack therof)?
ReplyDeleteD'oh! I've just realised that the twist frinnge is the frock, not the hair-do.
DeleteStill, get a massive bouffant done instead.
MR. DeVICE: Oh for heaven’s sake, I forgot that “fringe” means hair “bangs” in the U.K.
DeleteThe twist fringe I mean is illustrated by this frock.
I’ll take the go-go-boots too.
i missed it when it played here;
ReplyDeleteis it on netflix yet?
NORMA: I saw it on Canadian Netflix which has different content than American.
DeleteCheck your schedule and let me know if you enjoy it.
I have never known that! But wouldn't this derail your porn career? This sounds sound good and like you said, are finally get the recognition. After all where would some of them be if not for the back up sound? They would sound completely different.
ReplyDeleteI think my libations are getting the better of me.
DeleteMISTRESS MADDIE: Is the Travelling Gin Bike parked in your alley?
DeleteMay I pay my respect to you ?
ReplyDeleteMAGO: Did someone mention Respect?
DeleteAdd my accolades to the list; as usual Mistress and I are in total agreement. Also excellent, and very much in the same line is Standing in the Shadows of Motown, about the studio musicians, a very select group who played on EVERYTHING important.
ReplyDeletePEENEE: As usual we’re in total agreement?
DeleteYou didn’t sound very pleased about the soap dispenser I chose for your new bathroom.
MAGO: The Funk Brothers…
Session artists extraordinaire.
Aren't we always in total agreement? "Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sister."
DeleteAnd yes, it is about the Funk Brothers.
PEENEE: I feel a Sister Sledge moment coming on.
DeleteAnd, by complete coincidence... Jx
DeleteJON: You’re an inspiration in those satin stretch-pants.
DeleteI also saw this,who knew the life some of them had. It was a eye opener. I think you got what it takes I believe, regardless of what the Mistress Borghese says. She thinks your headin up the tea dance tonight.
ReplyDeleteANITA MOORECOCK: Mistress Maddie has had one too many G&Ts.
DeleteClayton and Fischer can use that Jagger bloke as a floor cloth any time, on any stage. In fact Clayton's 1970 solo version of Gimme Shelter is and stays powerful and true.
ReplyDeleteRichards & Co. should get rid of their lousy singer, they'd make a nice blues band, so.
MAGO: In the documentary, Merry Clayton tells the story of how she was summoned late at night to the studio to record with The Rolling Stones.
DeleteIn her silk pyjamas and a mink coat, pregnant, with curlers in her hair, she recounts how she went in planning to "blow them out of the room."
And so she did.
Why don’t I shut up and let Merry tell the story HERSELF.
Put me down for a pair of twist fringe shorts. I shall join you in shaking and shimmying in the background. One of my goals growing up was to be a backup dancer for Janet Jackson. I wanted to have a hands on experience supporting her talents.
ReplyDeleteEROS: We’ve seen what you look like in (or should I say out of) the Freakin’ Green Elf Shorts.
DeleteNow we’d like to see you in twist fringe shorts.
As I said in a recent post, I always wanted to be a Pip... Jx
ReplyDeletePS I want to see this film.
JON: It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got the bling.
DeleteOh wait a minute… I thought you said you always wanted to be a pimp.
You were born this way, eh?
ReplyDeleteHUGGY JON: My generation was deprived of such advanced technology.
DeleteI'm all about the backup singers, even back to the big band's Modernaires and Sully, Ginny, Ish Kabibble and Boopie Doopie-doop Babbit. So rest assured this film is on my list!
ReplyDeleteWALLY: I have only met one other person who knew who I was talking about when I mentioned Ish Kabibble.
DeleteBravo!
odd: last weekend at a wedding...ish's name came up! he had such a fetching haircut.
DeleteNORMA: I’d call it a “Moe Howard” haircut.
Deletebet they visited the same barber on the lot.
DeleteThe first time I recall hearing "Ish Kabibble" was in the movie M*A*S*H in one of Hot Lips' cheers during the football game.
DeleteNORMA: I once saved some photos of Moe with the intention of doing a post on The Hair Hall of Fame.
DeleteYet I can’t remember if I ever posted it or not.
LX: Now that you mention it, I remember “Hawkeye” saying “Ish Kabibble” at some point.
And yet I can’t remember if I posted the Moe Howard haircut.
Mistress MJ is losing it. If she ever had it in the first place, that is.
gee, i don't think i've ever seen a post about a "mo" in this here cul-de-sac. not ever.
Deletejust read this.
ReplyDeleteYou are always just one step ahead of me norma...
DeleteSo, since I am always behind you, let me take this opportunity to tell you your ass looks like cottage cheese.
NORMA: Such sad news. Let’s hope that Merry makes a full recovery.
DeleteThanks for letting me know.
WALLY: Are those foundation garments not flattering Norma’s figure?
wally...darling, i love you.
DeleteI'm always the star when I dance around my apartment in a tank top, denim mini and 6 inch heels.
ReplyDeleteIt comes highly recommended with Kylie Minogue - Kiss me once, album.
CYBERPETE: Good gawd.
Delete