I recently saw the phenomenal, Academy Award winning documentary, 20 Feet From Stardom about the lives and careers of back-up singers. You must see this film. The voices, stories, and people in this movie are absolutely compelling and captivating.  In addition to documenting the life of a back-up singer and what that career can be like, the film shows the way session groups sang back-up on almost every song from the 60s and 70s (think: the Gospel back-up sound on “Sweet Home Alabama” or the ladies who sang “Da-Doo-Run-Run”).

One of the stars of the film was the incredible Darlene Love who is most famous for the vocals on He’s a Rebel (which I sillily referred to as “She’s a Rebel” in my intro here! Oy), Be My Baby, The Monster Mash, and dozens more. Her voice is stunning and her effervescent personality is contagious.  The film is a masterpiece and ends with her being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Bruce Springsteen watching on proudly.

This year she is releasing her first full length album this year, there is a biopic starring Toni Braxton as Love to be aired on Oprah’s OWN network, and she will be making her 28th and final Christmas appearance on David Letterman’s Late Show this year.  Visit her website for more on tour dates and news.

I was truly honored to speak with this inspirational and talented woman. Below is a clip of her SINGING her acceptance speech at the Oscars and enjoy my interview below that.