Merry Clayton (born December 25, 1948 in Gert Town, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American soul and gospel singer (both solo and back-up), and an actress. She has provided a number of back-up vocal tracks to songs recorded by major performing artists during the 1960s, notably her powerfully-sung duet with Mick Jagger on The Rolling Stones' song "Gimme Shelter".
Clayton began her recording career in 1962 at the age of fourteen, singing "Who Can I...
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Merry Clayton (born December 25, 1948 in Gert Town, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American soul and gospel singer (both solo and back-up), and an actress. She has provided a number of back-up vocal tracks to songs recorded by major performing artists during the 1960s, notably her powerfully-sung duet with Mick Jagger on The Rolling Stones' song "Gimme Shelter".
Clayton began her recording career in 1962 at the age of fourteen, singing "Who Can I Count On? (When I Can't Count On You)" as a duet with Bobby Darin on his album "You're The Reason I'm Living". A year later, she recorded the first version of "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)", although it was Betty Everett's version of the same year that reached the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100. Her early career included performances with artists including Ray Charles (as one of The Raelettes), Pearl Bailey, Elvis Presley, Phil Ochs, and Burt Bacharach. She co-wrote the song "Sho' Nuff" — which is about her mother — with Billy...
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