From Katy Perry to Elton John: Singing sensations who started off as backup singers

In a recent revelation, Katy Perry was seen singing as a backup artist for the band P.O.D and the news, as expected trolled on the internet.
While the lead singer of the band Marcos Curiel later announced the news not being true, it sure did bring focus to the fact that various iconic singers did start their careers as backup artists. And from there on went on to become few of the biggest names in the music industry.Here are the biggest stage scorchers who once were backup singers:
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Elton John
For someone who started off as a backup singer and a piano player, it was quite a meteoric rise to go on to achieve the status of ‘Sir’ Elton John. Before he made the entire world pause and listen to Sacrifice, Elton John played piano and provided backup vocals for artists like The Isley Brothers, Patti LaBelle, The Hollies and The Scaffold.
Cher
Once Cher hit the right notes on the international stage as a star, she went on to woo her audience for over five decades. But Cher started her singing career as a backup artist for music record producer Phil Spector and sang for him on numbers like Righteous Brother’s 'You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling'.
Listen to songs of Katy Perry on Gaana.com
Whitney Houston
For as long as 14 years before the world woke up to her hit number 'I’am Every Woman', that brought her into the mainstream music scene as a legendary singer, Whitney used to do backup vocals for Chaka Khan and voice her original numbers.

Gwen Stefani
No Doubt, the band Gwen later did the lead vocals for, was formed by her brother Eric and his friend John Spence. Since the band, in their earlier stages, practiced at Gwen and Eric's family garage, they included Gwen for backup vocals. But as it turned out, Spence committed suicide and Gwen got to fill in his place as the lead singer.
Sheryl Crow
Before Sheryl Crow hit the stage, she was an elementary school teacher. But she started her serious musical journey as a backup singer for legends like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Eagles frontman Don Hanley. With such legends around her, she was sure to hit the high notes of her music career sooner or later.
Dave Grohl
Before Dave founded his own band Foo Fighters as a lead singer and rhythm guitarist, he played drums for the popular band Nirvana and also provided backup vocals to Curt Kobain. Dave, who burst on the music scene after lying about his age, toured extensively with Nirvana in their initial years before Dave ventured away following Kobain's death.
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