The film is mostly a series of interviews with some of American music's most successful and prolific back-up singers, mixed with some phenomenal singing, killer dance moves, and colourful retro clothing. The focus of many of the interviews tries to shed light on why these amazing voices remained at the back of the stage throughout their careers, so close, and yet so far, from super-stardom.
Some women have tragic stories of the unsuccessful solo albums and cut-throat producers who stole their songs, causing them to fall back down to earth where the harsh realities of every day life meant cleaning houses and teaching school to make ends meet. But showbiz wasn't so tough on everyone, some of the interviews suggest that some artists, like Lisa Fischer, prefer to be just on the edge of the spotlight.
Lisa Fischer has arguably one of the strongest voices showcased in the film, a Grammy award winning solo single, and is considered to be one of the most successful session singers of her time. She's sung backup for a number of superstars including Tina Turner, Sting, and Luther Vandross, and has been the lead female vocalist on every Rolling Stones tour since 1989. But I'd never heard of her.
Is that because she prefers a steady and enduringly successful career singing backup to the potential flash-in-the-pan success of a solo-artist? Or was something or someone keeping her "20 Feet from Stardom" her whole career?
A recurring theme among many of the singers interviewed in the film is the struggle to find the time, energy, and resources to put toward a solo career when they're working constantly for other people. Do you sacrifice a steady (and reasonable) income doing what you love for a chance to stand alone in the spotlight? Or are you content to spend your career as a relative unknown if it means you get paid to sing your heart out on stage, like so many people only ever dream of doing?
Check out the trailer:
I caught 20 Feet From Stardom at the Bloor Cinema on its last night there, but it's still playing in Toronto at the Yonge Dundas and Varsity Cinemas. Click here for showtimes.
