Twenty Feet From Stardom

Film (2013)

With Lou Adler, Stephanie ‘Stevvi’ Alexander, Patti Austin, Chris Botti, David Bowie, Ray Charles, Merry Clayton, Sheryl Crow, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, Mick Jagger, Mabel John, Gloria Jones, Jo Lawry, Claudia Lennear, Darlene Love, Lynn Mabry, Bill Maxwell, Bette Midler, Nia Peeples, Janice Pendarvis, Phil Spector, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Luther Vandross, Táta Vega, Stevie Wonder

Capturing the careers and current lives of some of the very great singers who filled the backgrounds of rock and roll hits, this film intoxicates its viewer with one revelation after another. The stories of these singers are marvelous. Sometimes they are heartwarming and sometimes heartrending. It is a difficult business in so many ways for those who touch greatness through proximity to rock stars but who, themselves barely known, exhibit just as much talent and musical accomplishment.

Their voices are truly amazing. The film does a fabulous job of showing them in action, both in the past and at present. Photos and films of these women from their salad days show their striking gracefulness and powers of expression. And interviews in the present show, in many cases, their continuing abilities and charms.

Interviews with Mick Jagger, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Bette Midler fill out the stories and are extremely telling. These stars all exhibit extreme appreciation for the notable talents of these backup singers and also register an acknowledgement of the vagaries of success. Why some lesser musical talents rise to stardom while these truly great vocalists struggled for recognition, even when they tried putting out solo albums, remains a mystery.

Morgan Neville and his team have put together an entertaining and highly moving portrait of these women. As the film progresses, the varying dramas of their careers emerge and tells the story of determination, temporary or more permanent derailment, and resurgent commitment. In each case, the multiple biographies are telling and poignant.

To actually see and hear Merry Clayton, the original backup on the recording of “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones (Lisa Fischer, another of the featured backup singers in the film, has performed with The Rolling Stones since 1989), interviewed with Mick Jagger and to hear each of them describe the experience of recording the song, is fabulous and interesting. And, hearing it, and realizing what Clayton’s contribution to the song is, makes one hear the song completely anew.

The hidden artistry here is amazing and the stories of dedication, abandonment, hope and despair about a life in music, given the back-seat position these great artists held, are extremely moving.

A great documentary.

– BADMan