‘And as you got more into the music, people would want background singers that were free to put feeling in what they were singing . . . not saying that those singers back then didn’t have feeling, but they were committed to what they saw on the paper.’ – Stevie Wonder
March 13, 2014 – Their playgrounds are the venerable concert halls, stages, festivals and recording studios throughout the world. Their collaboration on timeless songs and anthems across various musical genres would comprise the better part of most record collections of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. When taking command of their instrument, they produce a musical gumbo of memorable hooks, harmonies and solos that transforms superstars into icons, yet they tour in relative obscurity. Rarely feted, this exclusive group of background singers so vital to the final cut goes virtually unnoticed by fulfilling the ultimate supporting role on the sound stage of life.
It takes a special person to keep their ego in check, drop the diva at the door and allow their finely tuned gift from decades of church training to elevate the headliners performance into stratospheric heights. Springsteen, Wonder, Midler and Jagger said it best. They couldn’t have had the careers they’ve enjoy without them. Toiling in the trenches while firmly ensconced at the back and side stages of life, 20 Feet From Stardom shines the long awaited spotlight on an exclusive brother and sisterhood of backup singers by highlighting the personal implications of their professional and artistic choices while weathering exploitation in order to produce some of the greatest songs of our generation.
Few if any have ever heard of The Blossoms (Darlene Love, Fanita James and Jean King), but everybody knows the groups they backed from The Righteous Brothers to Elvis, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra and James Brown. Musically rooted in the black gospel churches, decades of spiritual grounding that blended equal parts faith and showmanship with a soulful execution help laid the foundation for sounds that were destined to change the landscape, and did. The Blossoms, led by the fiery vocals of Darlene Love became the first black background singers to break into the lily white world of session singing and with their transformative hooks and harmonies became the most prolific session singers of the 60’s.
Director, Morgan Neville gives us an ALL ACCESS pass into the unchartered back stages, live rehearsal sessions and intimate sit downs with the legendary producers and superstars behind the songs. Most of all we spend quality time with the unheralded background singers and the stories that made this magic happen. Using a compelling first person narrative, iconic singers like Tata Vega, Merry Clayton, Claudia Lennear, Judith Hill and The Water Family take us through their respective journeys of joy and pain. From our 5:47 am wake-up call with the bluesy melodic stylings of Lisa Fischer’s day in the life, to the throwback musings with the original Blossoms as they recall the frenetic touring of an industry that gave as much as it took. The 60’s British invasion with Bowie, Jagger and the Beatles made a point of showcasing Black American background singers on tracks which singlehandedly monetized the worth of this unglorified profession to the world.
As with all occupations, the vast underbelly can reveal a heartbreak rarely seen to the outside world. With unflinching clarity Neville exposes the backroom dealing levelled by wall of sound producer Phil Spector on Darlene Love as tracks she laid down under her name ended up ghosting on The Crystals album. Unwritten industry rules of the day undercut the likes of Merry Clayton and other session singers looking to parlay their industry cred into a solo career. But, the rules of the game only allowed one Aretha and one Diana to shine at a time. Add to that issues of ageism and sexism and the window of opportunity for solo success shuts even faster.
Verdict 4.5 out of 5: Learning how to be part of a group is the essence of background singing. With 20 Feet from Stardom comfortably steeped in a staggering array of memorable performance footage, stills and interviews, Director Morgan Neville’s coherent pacing and unfiltered appreciation for these experiences shines like a beacon as he mines these evolutionary changes with glee. Fulfillment can take many forms in the music industry and somewhere between recording studios and the live performances lays that powerful elixir of background singers that helps bring it all together. Shrouded in secrecy no more, 20 Feet from Stardom show the world that background singers can finally takes their rightful place at the front of the stage.
A star is born, and now they are finally seen.
Genre: Documentary, Music
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Morgan Neville
Producers: Gil Friesen, Morgan Neville, Caitrin Rogers
Awards: 2014 Academy Award Winner- Best Documentary Feature
Runtime: 91 minutes
Canadian Release Date: July 5, 2013
Cast: Bruce Springsteen, Darlene Love, Bette Midler, Mick Jagger, Sting, Janice Pendarvis, Jo Lawry, Cindy Mizelle, Charlotte Crossley, David Lasley, Dr. Mable John, Fanita James, Merry Clayton, Tata Vega, Dr. Todd Boyd, Lisa M. Fischer, Patti Austin, Chris Botti, Sheryl Crow, Rob Santos, Susaye Greene, David Ritz, Gloria Jones, The Waters Family, Claudia Lennear, Lynn Mabry, Stevvi Alexander, Bill Maxwell, Judith Hill, Rose Stone Lou Adler.
