Influenced By:
- Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s
- Genres: Rock
Biography
Little Lisa (formerly known as Lisa Miller) was 15 when she signed with Motown Records. She's the daughter of Kay Lewis of the Lewis Sisters (Helen and Kay) who were recording and writing for Motown at the time. Though she recorded more than a dozen tracks only one single dropped: "Hang on Bill" written by Berry, Robert, and Gwen Gordy b/w "Puppet on a String" in 1965 on VIP Records. Unreleased tracks include renditions of the Marvelettes' "Daddy Knows Best," "Honey Boy," previously released by both Mary Wells and the Supremes, "Don't Let Me off the Hook," "Sweeter As the Days Go By," "Baby I've Got It," and "Memories, Keep Haunting Me."Lisa's aunt and mom weren't exactly cleaning up at Motown either; the company issued two singles by them on their VIP subsidiary that went nowhere. The siblings, aka the Singing School Teachers and the Soul Teasers, were better known for the songs they wrote for others including "Just Walk in My Shoes" (Gladys Knight & the Pips), "Baby, Baby" (not to be confused with "Ooo, Baby Baby") for the Miracles, and "Mr. Soul Brother" (Blinky aka Sandra Williams) that was unreleased but redone later by Christine Adams on Cyclone Records. Marvin Gaye's "This Love Starved Heart of Mine," released after his untimely demise and after the Sisters left Motown, became popular in Britain. They previously recorded on Liberty, Verve, and World Pacific Records. The siblings' first song was published and recorded in 1952.
Still a teen, Lisa landed a voice over job on the Fantastic Four series, using the name Leeza Miller she did both the Nova and Frankie Ray voices on the show that ran from 1967 to 1970 and was Wendigo (a monster) in the Hulk. In 1992, now known as Leeza-Miller-McGee, she did the voice of Charley Davidson in the animated lust feature Biker Mice From Mars.
After Motown, Lisa cut "Does She Know" for Trident Records before affiliating with Canterbury Records (owned by Mattel Toys) and ran by Ken Handler, the real life model for the Ken doll, Barbie's man. Helen and Kay served as the labels' Artist and Repertoire Directors and wrote and produced for Yellow Balloon, Joanie Sommers, Sandy Wynns, Alex Valdez and Little Lisa, now known as Lisa Miller (not to be confused with the Australian pop/country singer). Lisa cut one album, Within Myself, with Helen and Kay writing and producing most of the songs and released a popular yuletide single, a horrific tale entitled "The Loneliest Christmas Tree" (1967) that still sells during the holiday season, the A-side "Love Is" was quite popular as well.
Her next stop was Cyclone Records where she cut "Castles in the Sky" b/w "Broken Home" written by the Lewis Sisters and produced by Bob Mercy.
In the late '80s, Ian Levine recorded Lisa as Leeza Miller for his Motorcity Records' project, two sides resulted: "Sign of a Heartache" and "Tomorrow Never Comes." Lisa does recording projects either as lead vocalist (with Glenn Medeiros) or background; the behind scenes work includes sessions with David Weaver, Craig & Company, Michael Sembello, Jai Cie, and Joanie Bartels. Her biggest recording came via an association with Sergio Mendes; she sang lead on the Brazilian's number four 1983 hit "Never Gonna Let You Go." The Southern California native still performs in nightclubs and does recording dates. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
