Biography
Best known for her background vocal work on the Rolling Stones' legendary single "Gimme Shelter," Merry Clayton had a long and successful career as backup singer, solo artist, and actress. Born December 25, 1948 (hence the rather "holiday" feel of her first name), in New Orleans, LA, Clayton recorded tracks with Elvis Presley, the Supremes, Ray Charles, and Joe Cocker, as well as being a member of Ray Charles' Raelettes in the early '60s. Her solo debut, "The Doorbell Rings," was released in 1963, and she eventually found success as a session singer for the aforementioned artists. She followed up her best-known work — the appearance on "Gimme Shelter" — with a solo album of the same name, and during the '70s managed some minor R&B hits with tracks like "After All This Time" in 1971 and "Oh No Not My Baby" in 1973. After a brief hiatus from the music business, Clayton did minor acting work, appearing in the film Maid to Order and Cagney & Lacey. Clayton returned to the music side of things in 1994, albeit as a gospel singer, with the album Miracles. In 1996, Clayton performed with Marianne Faithfull and Darlene Love in the show 20th Century Pop, a performance of "20 rock-era standards."
Discography
1970 Gimme Shelter
1971 Celebration
1971 Merry Clayton
1975 Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow
1979 Emotion
1994 Miracles
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Legendary Merry Clayton
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21 comments:
Thanks a lot. I have known the 1971 and 1975 albums, but I have never been able to find the 1970 one.
By the way, an extended version of "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow" with a number of bonus tracks from albums not included in your list are to be found here:
http://supersoulsisters.blogspot.com/2009/11/merry-clayton-keep-your-eye-on-sparrow.html
Thank You for the link. I know about this album, but it isn't among her main albums. It's the compillation based on the album from 1975.
Brilliant, thank you for introducing me to Miss Merry Clayton, what a wonderful site to dig thru' the crates, keep up the good work and keep the faith!
Merry Clayton is the daughter of a Baptist Reverend and naturally grew up in a strict gospel environment.
Merry has recorded with many diverse artists including Elvis Presley, the Supreme's, Ray Charles (becoming one of the Raelettes) and the Rolling Stones.
In 1962, she recorded the song 'You're The Reason I'm Living' with rock singer Bobby Darin.
Merry made her solo debut in 1963 with 'The Doorbell Rings', before recording a version of 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)', a song later popularized by Betty Everett and Cher.
Clayton went on to record further singles before beginning a successful career as a session singer.
She moved to Los Angeles where she founded Sisters Love and had some success with the group at A & M Records.
Medexpressrx
Thank you very much for Merry Clayton. I have been searching for this album for a very long time, and was rewarded with even more. Keep up the good work.
Thank You for the link.
Hello,
This is amazing blog post here... Very interesting for reading... Thanks very much for sharing it. keep posting.
Thanks!
fantastic, thanks
My vinyl copy of the 1971 album has too many pops and crackles now, so thanks for the chance of a clean and uninterrupted listen to an old favourite. Looks like there is a lot more to browse through on your site. Thanks for all your fine work!
Wow! This is really an amazing blog post found here... Its really great to be here....
I love this blog and thank you big time for introducing Merry Clayton for me. Fantastic voice and fantastic music!
Thank you for your article, pretty worthwhile material.
You never disappoint!
Still searching for Miracles, but I was able to find a link for Celebration and wanted to share.
Celebration:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6GWM61V0
Enjoy!!!
My apologies; I never checked the zip folder. It is NOT Ms. Merry's Celebration.
Sorry again.
Wow, nice post,there are many person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post.Thank you for sharing to us.Please one more post about that..
Great post and very useful code! The info is very open and very clear explanation of issues. Nice! If there is an interest I have too much information that I can share with you.
As you probably know, Clayton also sang backup on several tracks from Neil Young's debut album Neil Young, originally released in 1968 and she was an increduble artist.
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My apology, I never checked compressed folder. This is not happy to celebrate woman.
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