"Gimme Shelter" Singer Merry Clayton & Author Dawnie Walton
Author Dawnie Walton talks with hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot about what inspired her debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev, a fantasy rock history about a fierce black singer in the 1970s. Plus Jim and Greg talk with Merry Clayton, whose iconic performance on "Gimme Shelter" still didn't make her a household name.
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Dawnie Walton
Jim and Greg interview author Dawnie Walton about her debut novel, “The Final Revival of Opal and Nev.” They talk about the real-life inspirations for the characters of Opal and Nev, which include Merry Clayton, Grace Jones and Nona Hendryx for Opal and David Bowie and Rod Stewart for Nev.
Merry Clayton
The guys interview legendary vocalist Merry Clayton, best known for her searing vocals on the Rolling Stones' “Gimme Shelter.” She recently released her first album since a tragic injury in 2014 and shares details about how that project came together.
Featured Songs:
- Merry Clayton, "Southern Man," Merry Clayton, Ode, 1971
- Material, "Bustin' Out," Bustin' Out, Celluloid, 1981
- Talking Heads, "Slippery People (Live)," Stop Making Sense, Sire, 1984
- Betty Davis, "Dedicated To the Press," Nasty Gal, Island, 1975
- Betty Davis, "They Say I'm Different," They Say I'm Different, Just Sunshine, 1974
- The Rolling Stones, "Gimme Shelter," Let It Bleed, Decca, 1969
- Bobby Darin, "Who Can I Count On?," You're the Reason I'm Living, Capitol, 1963
- Elvis Presley, "Happy Ending," It All Happened At the World's Fair (Original Soundtrack), RCA Victor, 1963
- Ray Charles, "I Won't Leave," A Portrait of Ray, ABC, 1968
- Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Sweet Home Alabama," Second Helping, MCA, 1974
- Merry Clayton, "Touch The Hem Of His Garment," Beautiful Scars, Ode Sounds & Visuals, 2021
- Merry Clayton, "A Song For You," Merry Clayton, Ode, 1971
- Merry Clayton, "Deliverance," Beautiful Scars, Ode Sounds & Visuals, 2021
- Lil Nas X, "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)," Montero, Columbia, 2021
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