“Gimme Shelter”

We begin 1970 with one from “Let It Bleed,” an eerie Rolling Stones track (recorded months before their disastrous Altamont show) which correctly foretold the end of 60’s peace and love. During the late night overdubs, Mick and Keith decided they needed a female voice so they called in a pregnant Merry Clayton, who showed up in pajamas and curlers. She hit some ridiculous high notes; the stress reportedly caused a miscarriage. Merry also sang backup on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and the final #1 of the 1960’s, “Someday We’ll Be Together.”