Elisa Fiorillo
Elisa Fiorillo-Dease
Artist details
- Birth name: Elisa Fiorillo, married Dease.
- Date Of Birth: 28 February 1969, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Occupation : Singer
- Endorsements:
- -
- -
- Activity with Prince: 1990-1992 / 2009-2014
Musical Career
Early Life
Her father was a classical pianist and a music professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. Her mother was a singer. Elisa started her career at age 11 when she got her first paying gig (earning $50) singing at a club. In 1983 she won a local television talent show Star Search and ended up on Broadway at the age of fifteen.
Before / after working with Prince
In 1987, she was signed to Chrysalis Records. She first performed the song "Jackie" on the Summer School soundtrack and caught the eye of John "Jellybean" Benitez who asked her to be the lead vocalist on two songs on his 1987 album Just Visiting This Planet. One of the song, "Who Found Who", was a hit worldwide reaching the Top 20 in many countries in addition to some club success.
At the same time, Fiorillo released her self-titled debut album that she promoted with the help of the pop single "How Can I Forget You" but she did not manage to get the same success.
After 1990 she mainly did back-up singing: she joined band Savage Garden on their Superstars and Cannonballs tour then worked for Billie Myers.
As a lead singer, she has appeared on Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, singing "Don’t Be Afraid". She also did a duet with Darren Hayes titled "Right Dead Back On It".
As well as singing she has also directed a few TV series, such as the 2001 Mahô shôjo neko Taruto as well as the 2002 TV series Mao Dante. Fiorillo also voiced the English parts of Ayamo Nakamura in the 2003 TV series Stratos 4. She voiced a part in Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity.
In 2007 Fiorillo released an album entitled Labour Of Love which was available at her website. She turned to her musical direction towards jazz in the 2000s.
Fiorillo was married to Michael Dease, until his death in 2019. Together they have a daughter Olivia (2006).
Work with Prince
She met Prince while working at Paisley Park on her second album with David Z.. Prince asked her to sing on Partyman (The Purple Party Mix) and on several The Time songs on the band’s reunion album from 1990 Pandemonium and on Graffiti Bridge.
In 1990 she released her second album I Am, largely written and produced by Prince. The album scored a Top 30 hit in the U.S. and Top 20 in Australia with On The Way Up.
After spending two decade focusing on her own career, Elisa returned to Prince’s camp in 2009 and toured with him as back up singer in The NPG ensemble.
Input in Prince’s Discography
Fiorillo appears on Partyman (The Purple Party Mix), she also contributed as backing vocalist on Daddy Pop and Walk Don’t Walk.
- 1990 The Time: Pandemonium
- 1990 Prince: Graffiti Bridge
- 1992 Prince: Diamonds And Pearls
- 2010 Prince: 20Ten
Input in Prince’s Live performances
Live performances
Discography
- 1987 Elisa Fiorillo: Elisa Fiorillo
- 1990 Elisa Fiorillo: I Am
- 2002 Elisa Fiorillo: Teach Me Tonight
- 2007 Elisa Fiorillo: Labor Of Love