Merry Clayton
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| Merry Clayton | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 25, 1948 Gert Town, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Years active | 1962–2000 |
| Associated acts | The Raelettes, The Rolling Stones Sisters Love |
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[edit] Biography
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.[2] Her early career included performances with artists including Ray Charles (as one of The Raelettes), Pearl Bailey, Elvis Presley, Phil Ochs, and Burt Bacharach. In 1971 she co-wrote the song "Sho' Nuff", which is about her mother.[3] She contributed vocals to Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg's 1968 film Performance.Clayton also sang backup on several tracks from Neil Young's debut album Neil Young, originally released in 1968.
She is best known for her 1969 performance in a duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter". (Originally, the Stones had intended to have Bonnie Bramlett sing, but Bramlett was not available, possibly because of illness.)[4] Clayton also sang backing vocals on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama".[5] Also, early in her career, Clayton sang backup vocals for Tom Jones, Joe Cocker ("Feelin' Alright") and Carole King. She also originated the role of the Acid Queen in the original 1972 London production of The Who's Tommy. More recently, Clayton has provided background vocals for Sparta's latest album Threes on the songs "Atlas" and "Translation". As an actress, she co-starred with Ally Sheedy in the 1987 film Maid to Order, and played Verna Dee Jordan in the final season of Cagney & Lacey.
In 1970, Clayton recorded her own version of "Gimme Shelter," and it became the title track of her debut solo album,[6] released that year. Her version would be the first of five singles under her name to crack the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #73. She continued to release solo albums throughout the next decade, notching several minor R&B singles. Clayton performs a live version of what has been deemed the Black National Anthem Lift Every Voice and Sing, on the soundtrack for the 1970 Robert Altman film Brewster McCloud.
Clayton sang "You're Always There When I Need You," the main title for 1980's The Nude Bomb, the first Get Smart movie, which starred Don Adams. She also sang the song "Yes" that was in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, and featured on the soundtrack album. This tune became her biggest hit to date to crack the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #45 in 1988. She also recorded backing vocals for and sang the infamous 'Man with the Golden Gun' bridge on Tori Amos's 1994 hit, "Cornflake Girl".
[edit] Personal life
Clayton was married to jazz artist Curtis Amy until his death in 2002.[7] Clayton's brother is the Little Feat percussionist Sam Clayton.[8]She had a miscarriage upon returning home from recording Gimme Shelter; some hypothesize this was due to the strain associated with reaching such high notes whilst singing.[9]
