Lois Fisher

Lois Eve Fisher, also known as “Eve Rene,” was born Lois Eve Greene on September 5, 1927, in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Fisher’s parents were Georgia Milton Greene, a teacher, and Allen Earl Greene, a contractor. Growing up, Fisher attended Valena C. Jones Elementary School (where she was a classmate of Andrew and Walter Young) in New Orleans; she also attended McDonald’s #6 School and graduated from Washington High School in Thibodaux in 1944. Encouraged by her uncle, Adam Lambert, Fisher began performing “Stardust” and other popular songs as a teen; she later received voice training at Southern University.

In 1945, Fisher left Southern University and found work as a clerk at the United States Army’s Camp LaShay. Soon after, Fisher was singing with the Paul Barbrien Band. Fisher then auditioned with Duke Ellington and toured with Winonie Harris, Tampa Kid, Harold King, Big Joe Turner and Cecil Gant. In 1946, Fisher left the road when she briefly married and settled in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1951, she met and toured with Lessly “Count” Fisher; around the same time, she also worked in Cincinnati, Covington, and Indianapolis, where she cut a record, Love is Strange. Eventually Fisher reunited with Count Fisher in Indianapolis; the couple later married and together established the Carousel Club. Over the years, the Fishers developed a loyal audience by featuring entertainers like Rodney Dangerfield, June Christie, Leroy Vinegar, Freddie Hubbard, George Kirby, Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff, John Coltrane and James Brown. From 1963 to 1965, the couple operated the Chateau de Count and Eve near the Indiana State Capitol; there, they showcased Roy Hamilton, Lula Reed and Motown.

In 1966, Fisher and her husband moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they played at the London House. Fisher earned her B.A. degree in music and art in 1985 from Grand Valley College; from 1989 to 1997, she worked for the clerk of courts in Grand Rapids.