Lisa Fischer (born 1958) is an American R singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 1991 with her debut album So Intense, which produced the Grammy Award winning hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain". Known for her upper head notes, Fischer has been recognized as one of the most successful session vocalists of the era. She has sung back-up for a number of famous artists, including Luther Vandross, Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones. Fischer was born in the Fort Greene neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Before pursuing a solo career, she accompanied R singer Luther Vandross as a backup singer on his tours & albums until his death, in addition to providing backing vocals for artists including Melba Moore and Billy Ocean. She has worked with many other famous singers, both as a session vocalist and a backup singer. Musicians she has supported include Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Teddy Pendergrass and Roberta Flack. In 1983, under the stage name Xēna, Fischer released a freestyle single, the electro classic "On the Upside,".