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A 'backing vocalist' or 'backing singer' (or, especially in the U.S., 'backup singer' or sometimes 'background singer') is a singer who sings in harmony with the lead vocalist, other backing vocalists, or alone but not singing the lead. A backing vocalist will usually work with a lead vocalist, but this is not always true.
In many bands, one or more musicians other than the lead singer take on the duty of backing vocalist while playing their instruments. Some backing vocalists may also have solos from time to time. An example is guitarist John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who sings all backing vocals (few songs are recorded without backing vocals) often singing some parts without accompaniment from lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis. John usually covers a song by himself during concerts. Another example is former member of Scottish band Wet Wet Wet, Angus "Gusboyslim" Cameron whose dulcet tones can be heard in such classics as "Billy Boys" and "Follow Follow". Other examples include Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Malcolm Young of AC/DC (along with Cliff Williams, who joined the band in 1977), Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, The Edge of U2, Pete Townshend of The Who, Mick Jones of The Clash, Jason Newsted of Metallica, Michael Anthony of Van Halen, Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, and Dusty Hill of ZZ Top. In some cases, drummers can do backing vocals in addition to other guitarists and the bassist. This is seen in bands such as Relient K, Sum 41, Samhain, Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Franz Ferdinand, Kiss, Queen, Mötley Crüe, Velvet Revolver, Linkin Park, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Police, The Yardbirds, Inhale Exhale, and Family Force 5.
Among the pioneers of pop music two producers should be noticed for their work with backing vocals - Phil Spector, who used b vox (backing vocals) and lavish orchestration to create a bombastic sound - and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys who composed some of the most intricate vocal harmonies in pop music. Both producers have greatly influenced the vocal harmony style of The Beatles, who explored it further. Since all four members of The Beatles sang lead on various songs, all served as creative backup singers for the others at various times. The same can be said for the (main) members of KISS
The English rock group Queen are very famous for complex harmonies. Along with dynamic lead vocalist Freddie Mercury two bandmates Roger Meddows-Taylor and Brian May have strong voices which blend intricately together along with Freddie's voice and Queen songs were rarely recorded, particularly early on, without backing vocals.
In the recording studio, some lead singers choose to record their own backing vocals. Ian Gillan of Deep Purple is one of the best known examples, as are Brad Delp of Boston, who recorded all lead and backing vocals on the first three Boston albums, Lemmy of Motörhead, Sting of The Police, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Thom Yorke from Radiohead.
Many metalcore and some post-hardcore bands, such as As I Lay Dying and Alexisonfire, feature a main vocalist who does the lead singing/screaming, whilst the backing vocalist sings harmonies during choruses to create a contrast to the music tone's color. Some bands, such as My Chemical Romance and Hawthorne Heights flip this process, and have screaming to highlight specific lyrics in contrast to the more harmonic and traditional lead vocals.
Famous singers who began as backing vocalists:

★ Whitney Houston

★ Mariah Carey

★ Luther Vandross

★ Melissa Manchester

★ Patti LaBelle

★ The Pointer Sisters

★ Cher

★ Glen Campbell

★ Marc Anthony

★ Diana Ross

★ Minnie Riperton

★ Deniece Williams

★ Patti Austin

★ Anita Baker

★ Linda Ronstadt

★ Laura Branigan

★ Donna Summer

★ Madonna

★ Dionne Warwick

★ Phyllis Hyman

★ Chaka Khan

★ Florence Ballard

★ Mary Wilson

★ Marvin Gaye

★ Elton John

★ Bette Midler

★ Brian Wilson

★ Gerald Levert