When the Stones recorded that marvel that is “Gimme Shelter” many overlooked the contribution of Merry Clayton, a soul singer. Recording took place at Sunset Sound & Elektra Studios in Los Angeles, California. At first Bonnie Bramlett was chosen for the choirs, but it was not possible.
Merry Clayton was born on December 25, 1948, in New Orleans. That is why her parents called her “Merry”. She began her career in 1962 at the age of fourteen singing alongside Bobby Darin. She also made a name for herself with performances with Ray Charles (she was one of the Raelettes), Elvis Presley, Phil Ochs and Burt Bacharach. She also did backing vocals on several songs on Neil Young’s first album, including Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Feelin’ Alright” with Joe Cocker, and Tori Amos’ “Corn Flakes Girl”, to name a few.
But what brings me to talk about Merry, is a record entitled “Gimme Shelter”, released in 1970. A record with a delicious cover, and songs with which it is difficult not to fall into their networks. James Taylor’s “Country Road”, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and of course, a revision of that “Gimme Shelter”. In addition, other themes are added, where that supernatural voice revives and gives all those cuts another dimension.
Although Merryl enjoyed sporadic success, his name is linked to great musical moments from the golden age of Rock and Soul.
His 1980 album, “Emotion” is another of his great achievements. After her small success with the song “Yes” from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, Merry got a little closer to the world of celluloid with her role in ‘Cinderella by force’ and in the television series “Cagney and Lacey”. .
Now that it has been so in vogue for some time now to talk left and right about Soul, to award crowns to ladies who surely deserve the award, we must not forget these forgotten velvety throats and at the same time seasoned with seasonings that only black culture has.
