These enduring melodies broke through cultural and language barriers
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.'
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.
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.
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.
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?'
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.
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.
Before her solo career, Harris toured with Gram Parsons, who she later fell in love with.
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.
Don't forget that before becoming the lead singer of the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl was the drummer and backing vocalist for Nirvana!
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
P.P. Arnold, best known for her version of 'The First Cut is the Deepest,' toured twice with Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters.
Known for his hit 'Charlene,' Hamilton was a backing singer for D'Angelo on his 2000 tour.
Sources: (Insider)(Ranker)(Fame10)
See also: Famous actors who are also musicians
Backup singers who became famous
These superstars were once backing vocalists for other singers
MUSIC Musicians
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!