But you know, when the accident happened, everything stopped. Merry Clayton, you sound great on that. Merry Clayton was featured in the movie "20 feet from stardom," in is one of the great backup singers ever. But despite the fame and success of the record, Clayton … The Unstoppable Merry Clayton After a half-century as one of music’s most in-demand backup singers — during which she had several shots at becoming a … Merry Clayton personifies the word "indomitable." Now, at the age of 73, Clayton — who co-starred in the 2014 Oscar-winning music documentary “20 Feet From Stardom” — is back with “Beautiful Scars,” her first solo album since 1994. Later, Clayton was profiled in the documentary "20 Feet From Stardom." Around the same time, she contributed to sessions for G. Love & Special Sauce's Sugar and Coldplay's A Head Full of Dreams. Merry Clayton, One Of The Stars Of The New 20 Feet From Stardom Documentary And The Vocalist On The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," Celebrated On The Best Of Merry Clayton It's Mary Clayton, not "Merry" Clayton. Now, almost seven years after her accident, Merry Clayton is back with a new solo album, Beautiful Scars. But you know, when the accident happened, everything stopped. Clayton’s credits stretch from Bobby Darrin, Peggy Lee and the Supremes to Elvis Presley, James Taylor, the Bee Gees and Coldplay. This information is shared with social media, sponsorship, analytics, and other vendors or service providers. With Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill. Merry Clayton Reveals Her ‘Beautiful Scars’ on First New Album in 25 Years. In 2014, mere months after 20 Feet From Stardom - the phenomenal film in which she stars - won the Oscar for Best Documentary, Merry was involved in a devastating car accident that claimed both of her legs, requiring a five-month hospital stay and four years of diligent rehabilitation. That movie won an Oscar, and Merry Clayton's profile was never higher. Gospel singer best known for singing backing vocals on the Rolling Stones classic "Gimme Shelter" and for her performance as the Acid Queen on the 1972 recording of The Who's "Tommy" with the London Symphony Orchestra. 4/8/2021. And yes, the documentary is required watching for her, Darlene Love; Judith Hill and Lisa Fischer. But you know, when the accident happened, everything stopped. 36 on the R&B charts. Hear the radio version at the audio link, and read on for an edited transcript. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. She had big plans to finally step 20 feet closer to her own stardom. Until, that is, she was featured as one of the backup singers in the 2014 Oscar-winning documentary '20 Feet from Stardom.' She had big plans to finally step 20 feet closer to her own stardom. CLAYTON: We talked about recording again and touring and doing the whole bit. And that - Merry Clayton is one of the featured singers in the new documentary about backup singers, "20 Feet From Stardom." Merry Clayton, Soundtrack: Dirty Dancing. CLAYTON: We talked about recording again and touring and doing the whole bit. They are the voices behind the greatest Rock, Pop and R&B hits of all time, but no one knows their names. And you're just in your early teens. See all replies. In 2014, Clayton was involved in a car crash in Los Angeles that left her with severe injuries to her lower extremities. Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. When Merry Clayton woke up in the hospital, she just had one question. Merry Clayton Bares Her 'Beautiful Scars' Seven years after surviving a car crash that took her legs and nearly took her life, singer Merry Clayton is releasing a new album, Beautiful Scars. Copied to clipboard. From Bobby Darin to Lynryd Skynyrd to Coldplay, artists have wanted this amazing voice to be a part of their music. That movie won an Oscar, and Merry Clayton's profile was never higher. You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. She was featured in Oscar-winning documentary, “20 Feet From Stardom.” Now, Clayton is entering her own spotlight with the release of a new album. And also with us is the film's director, Morgan Neville. Singer Merry Clayton did the iconic background vocals of the 1969 Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter." The session singer Merry Clayton, ... 20 Feet From Stardom,” which put backup singers including Ms. Clayton front and center, won an Academy Award for best documentary… Consequently, her legs were amputated at the knees. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic. Recent Video. Merry Clayton, the “Gimme Shelter” backup singer whose story was featured in the documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, was badly injured in a car accident in Los Angeles earlier this week. Now in this award-winning documentary, director Morgan Neville shines the spotlight on the untold stories of such legendary background singers as Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Claudia Lennear, Judith Hill and more. She spoke with Terry Gross in 2013. In fact, the former Ray Charles Raelette’s storied career was spotlighted in 20 Feet from Stardom, the Oscar-winning documentary about background singers. You can adjust your cookie choices in those tools at any time. See details. She is famed as the female vocalist on the Stones' "Gimme Shelter," but also released a few solo albums, and this is the best of her tracks. 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