Some Up-Front Analysis From a Back-Up Princess

What do Sting, the Talking Heads, Stevie Winwood, Laurie Anderson, the Rolling Stones and Peter Gabriel all have in common?

Easy--Dolette McDonald.

For nearly a decade, McDonald has been a back-up vocalist extraordinaire, performing or recording with all those big names--and more. Now the Newark, N.J.-born McDonald is out on the road again, this time with Sting, who opens a two-night stand at the Forum tonight.

McDonald has been trying to launch a solo career, having spent the past year in London, concentrating on writing songs. But when Sting calls, it’s hard to turn down the offer.

“What can I say--I’m a road doll,” McDonald acknowledged, phoning from Houston last week. “It’s crazy, but I love it. I wasn’t even expecting to do this tour. But Sting asked me to come out for a few dates and it’s just mushroomed from there.

“I’ve been on the road since 1980. It’s my life. If I didn’t have to stop and do records, I’d be out all the time. So now I have friends all over the world. In fact, if I had to live in one place, I’d probably be lonesome.”

In younger days, McDonald (who only admits to “approaching 30”) lived a little bit of the wild life. But after undergoing two throat operations after losing her voice on a Laurie Anderson tour, she’s learned to pamper herself.

“I’m not one of those road vampires anymore,” she said. “I don’t drink, smoke or stay up all night. After my throat operations, I had to spend three months in a silent world. I couldn’t speak at all--I had to write notes to everyone. And then I had to learn how to use my voice--and sing--all over again. That kind of experience will make you take care of yourself.”

McDonald, who did Sting’s “Dream of Blue Turtles” tour and was featured in the subsequent concert film, “Bring On the Night,” freely admits she’s “very loquacious.” She’s also an alert observer. Here’s a few candid observations from her tour and record experiences:

The Talking Heads: “I really enjoyed them, but it took some getting used to. I’d been doing four nights a week at a bar in Newark. And I remember saying--what’s a Talking Head? I came from gospel music and I couldn’t imagine working with a new-wave band. I hated that music! I remember meeting David (Byrne) and everybody at the first rehearsal and saying to myself, ‘Girl, this is gonna be weird!”’

Laurie Anderson: “She’s fantastic--and a real challenge. If you can do a Laurie Anderson gig, you can do anything. She was instrumental in helping me find how far I could go with my talent. In a lot of ways, her songs are more mathematical than musical. It’s all based on numbers. So if you can count, you can do it.”

The Rolling Stones: “I sang on what may end up being their last album. Mick (Jagger) wanted us to do a real emotional ending to a song and we were so tired that we told him he had to give us some inspiration. So he set up a mike in the studio and performed the whole song for us as if he were in front of 75,000 people. Now that was great--he has no shame.”

Stevie Winwood: “Working for him wasn’t a particularly rewarding experience. It was just a job and a paycheck. I barely ever saw him the whole time.”

Sting: “He’s spoiled me because he’s someone who’s not afraid to give of his time and his spirit. And he’s a great teacher. He’s taught me that you shouldn’t be afraid to take chances, that you should be fearless and go for what you want, not what the record company wants.”

After serving as a back-up singer for most of her life--as a kid she warmed up audiences for her mother, who was an evangelist--McDonald says she’s ready to make her own record. “I learned a long time ago that you can’t fail if you try--and give it your best. Anyway, I don’t have a choice,” she said with a laugh. “No one can afford me anymore!”