1. Luther Vandross as a background singer for David Bowie. 2. Whitney Houston with her first mentor, Cissy Houston. 3. Soon after being a background singer, Kelly Price debuted her platinum-selling first album. 4. R&B Diva herself Chante Moore began as a background singer for Toni Braxton. 5. The late great Vesta, who sang the hit song “Congratulations,” started as a background singer for Chaka Khan.