This list of celebrities who started as backup singers is loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several now famous musicians started their careers in the entertainment industry as backup singers. A few of these talented singers went on to become some of the biggest pop stars of all time. One famous backup singer is a Grammy-winning musician and Oscar-winning actress.
Who is the most famous person who started as a backup singer? Mariah Carey tops this list. Carey was a backup singer and dancer for Brenda Starr in the late 1980s.
Grammy-winning singer and Oscar-winning actress Cher sang backup on the studio recordings for the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers. Sheryl Crow got her start as a backup vocalist for one of the most famous pop stars of all time. Click through the list below to find out who.
Are you surprised that so many superstars started as backup singers? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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Cher
Cher sang backup on the studio recordings of the Ronettes's "Be My Baby" and the Righteous Brothers's "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."
Dave Grohl
Before he was the lead singer and guitarist for the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl provided the drums and backup vocals for Nirvana.
Elton John
Elton John's early band Bluesology provided backup vocals and instrumentation for everyone from The Isley Brothers to Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles.
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani first joined No Doubt as a backup singer. After lead singer John Spence committed suicide in 1987, a devastated Stefani pulled herself up and into the spotlight.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey was a backup singer and dancer for Brenda Starr in the late 1980s.
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige started her career singing backup for several artists at Uptown Records, including Jeff Redd and Father MC.
Phil Collins
Phil Collins only became the lead singer of Genesis after Peter Gabriel left the group in 1975.
P!nk
Pink sang backup in Philadelphia clubs when she was just a teen.
Sheryl Crow
"Strong Enough" singer Sheryl Crow got her start as a backup vocalist for Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Don Henley.
Whitney Houston
"I Will Always Love You" singer Whitney Houston first hit the stage as a backup singer for Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls.