Born on April 11, Lisa Stansfield: The Grand Dame of English Soul

Lisa Jane Stansfield was born in 1966 in Heywood, Greater Manchester (England). She was raised in a modest family and from a very young age, she showed a strong interest in music.

At the age of 14, her life took a new turn when she participated in and won the British talent show "Search For A Star" (the predecessor of The Voice). This opened up her first professional opportunities. She was quickly noticed and initially worked in television, notably as a presenter for youth programmes.

It wasn't until the 1980s that her true musical career began when she formed a band with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris called Blue Zone, which fit perfectly into the "blue-eyed soul" that was typical of Northern England. Mixing pop and soul, the band released a few singles, but they didn't really make it internationally. This phase in her career still allowed Lisa Stansfield to define her style and gain confidence in her abilities.

In 1989, she released her first solo album, "Affection", a record that propelled her onto the global stage. The album blended soul, funk, pop, and R&B with a very '80s/'90s groove. It was produced by her partner Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, with whom she had previously worked in Blue Zone.

When talking about Lisa Stansfield, one cannot overlook her worldwide hit "All Around The World", which was number 1 upon its release in the UK, top 10 in many other countries, and earned her recognition for her "American" soul voice, which was quite surprising for an English woman, and a white one at that. This song became her vocal signature, with the famous gimmick “I can't find my baby…”. It perfectly embodies her style: melancholic, sensual, and elegant.

Outside of music, Lisa is known for her discreet yet sincere commitment to several causes, including the fight against HIV/AIDS and support for independent artists. She's a woman with a big heart, who communicates this kindness with affection through her music, always without pretence.

(MH with Larisa Lungu - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Lisa Stansfield on stage at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels (Belgium) on 4 November 2019