20 Feet from Stardom

Chances are you've never heard of Merry Clayton, but we know you've heard of The Rolling Stones!  One of our favorite new movies in the library's collection is this year's Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom -- a fascinating look at the talented singers who back-up some of the biggest and best bands in the world.  This entertaining film shines a well-deserved spotlight on the wonderful performers you hear but rarely see.

 We've highlighted two of the performers featured in the film below:  the aforementioned Clayton and Darlene Love.  You may not know their names, but both are considered legends inside the world of rock and roll.  We've also provided links to a few albums available through the library that feature several of their best-known performances.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2011)

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, Darlene Love began her career in the 1960's all-girl group The Blossoms.  Under legendary music producer Phil Spector, the group provided background vocals in some of the biggest hits of the era for the  'R & B' groups The Ronettes and The Crystals, as well as for solo performers such as Betty Everett (It's in His Kiss).  Although her lead performances in songs such as A Fine, Fine Boy and the holiday classic Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) were hits in their own right, Love was ultimately exploited by Spector when he credited, without her knowledge, several of her other lead performances to The Crystals.  Despite such unfair practices and other career setbacks, Love recorded several studio albums of her own and continues to perform today at age 73. 

You can hear Love's magnificent voice on the following albums:

Love (center) and The Blossoms

Wall of Sound -- The Very Best of Phil Spector:  includes lead performances by Love in A Fine, Fine Boy and Today I Met the Boy I'm Going to Marry; uncredited lead performances in He's a Rebel and He's Sure the Boy I Love (credited to The Crystals); and background vocals with The Blossoms on Be My Baby and Baby, I Love You (by the Ronettes) -- and Da Doo Ron Ron (by The Crystals). 


A Christmas Gift to You from Phil Spector:  this iconic holiday album features Love's lead vocals on Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home); Winter Wonderland; and White Christmas.

The Sound of Love -- The Very Best of Darlene Love:  studio album of Love's greatest hits, including a mix of original releases and songs recorded later in her career.

Merry Clayton

Merry Clayton's professional career began when she was just a teenager, and she soon graduated to singing back-up for a huge variety of recording artists, including Bobby Darin, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Jones, Carole King -- and the great Ray Charles, for whom she was the lead singer in his group The Raettes.  Clayton is best known for her duet with Mick Jagger in The Rolling Stones' classic song Gimme Shelter, and she remains one of the few woman to ever share a lead vocal with Jagger.  Clayton recorded several solo albums which were applauded by critics but, due to lack of name recognition, failed to reach a large audience.  She continues to perform solo at age 66 -- and recently released a compilation album of her greatest hits.

With Charles and the Raettes (upper left)

You can hear Clayton's commanding and recognizable vocals on the following albums:

Hot Rocks 1964-1971 by The Rolling Stones:  includes Clayton's iconic duet with Mick Jagger in Gimme Shelter.

All-Time Greatest Hits by Lynard Skynard:  Clayton provides powerful back-up in the hit single Sweet Home Alabama.

Ultimate Collection by Joe Cocker:  Clayton toured often with Cocker, and you can hear her here in his hit Feelin' Alright.

The Best of Merry Clayton:  a solo studio album featuring Clayton at her soulful best, including her own rendition of Gimme Shelter.  

These women are just two of the gifted singers featured in 20 Feet From Stardom whose vocal gifts support the music industry's superstars.  Check it out for yourself -- and don't be surprised to find yourself singing along!