Biography
Merry Clayton is an American singer and actress. Born on 25 December 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana, she began her recording career in the early 1960s and became a prominent backing vocalist, including as a member of the Raelettes with Ray Charles and of the group The Raspberries.
She is featured as herself in the 2013 documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. Clayton has also acted in films including Maid to Order (1987) and appeared in the television series Cagney & Lacey (1982–1988) as Verna Dee Jordan. She has contributed vocals to film soundtracks such as 9½ Weeks (1986) and Dirty Dancing (1987).
Clayton is best known for her duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" (1969). She released solo albums in the 1970s and later appeared in the 2021 album Beautiful Scars.
