Famous Backup Singers

[cye]

I was listening to Under African Skies by Paul Simon and the backup singer kept jumping out at me. It was Linda Ronstadt of course. Any other songs where the backup grabs your ear.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQBVXEcfgHQ

 

[bobistheowl]

Lou Rawls singing backup on Sam Cooke's Bring It On Home To Me:

 

[james t kirk]

Bono sang backup for Robbie Robertson.

Axle Rose sang backup for Don Henley

Sting sang backup for Dire Straights

Michael Stipe sang backup for The Indigo Girls

John Lennon sang backup for Bowie

Don Henley sang backup for Cheryl Crow and Linda Ronsdat sang for Henley

Although she is not famous persay, Merry Clayton sang backup to Jagger on "Gimmer Shelter" and frankly stole the show. Without a doubt, the most powerful backup singer in any song I can think of.

As the story goes, the Stones invited Merry to sing backup on Gimme Shelter and she agreed to reherse with them and completely blew them away with her voice, but she refused to be recorded until she was paid in full (figuring probably correctly that once it was recorded, it would be like putting toothpaste back in the tube trying to get money out of the production company) Merry's singing can only be described as ferocious.

 

[bobistheowl]

This extended version of Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley, from The Las Vegas International Hotel, August 3, 1969, with backing vocals by The Jordanaires and The Sweet Inspirations. Elvis had performed the song live for the first time three days previously, and the final mix of the single would take place four days later.

http://www.4shared.com/mp3/UjOZFKuh/Elvis_Presley_-_Suspicious_Min.html

 

[TheDr]

Sting on Dire Straits' Money For Nothing

 

[xmontrealer]

Does Mick Jagger count on Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"? Or is that just a "cameo" appearance?

Same with Neil Young on Randy Bachman's "Prairie Town".

 

[dirkd101]

Geddy Lee with Max Webster on Battle Scar;

 

[Ben Hogan]

Bono sang backup for Robbie Robertson.

Axle Rose sang backup for Don Henley

Sting sang backup for Dire Straights

Michael Stipe sang backup for The Indigo Girls

John Lennon sang backup for Bowie

Don Henley sang backup for Cheryl Crow and Linda Ronsdat sang for Henley

Although she is not famous persay, Merry Clayton sang backup to Jagger on "Gimmer Shelter" and frankly stole the show. Without a doubt, the most powerful backup singer in any song I can think of.

As the story goes, the Stones invited Merry to sing backup on Gimme Shelter and she agreed to reherse with them and completely blew them away with her voice, but she refused to be recorded until she was paid in full (figuring probably correctly that once it was recorded, it would be like putting toothpaste back in the tube trying to get money out of the production company) Merry's singing can only be described as ferocious.

Apparently Merry had a miscarriage shortly after recording Gimme Shelter.

 

[Ben Hogan]

Chrissie Hynde on "Hurt" by Chris Spedding.

 

[dirkd101]

Kate Pierson with REM;

 

[eagle1man]

Although she is not famous persay, Merry Clayton sang backup to Jagger on "Gimmer Shelter" and frankly stole the show. Without a doubt, the most powerful backup singer in any song I can think of.

Great example ...such a great song on featured in an iconic scene. An amazing synergy of great music and brilliant movie making.

 

[james t kirk]

Apparently Merry had a miscarriage shortly after recording Gimme Shelter.

Yes, I was aware of that. Some have speculated that due to her insane singing on Gimme Shelter that she had the miscarriage, however, I think it's a long shot. Throughout time, women would work out in the fields under the blazing sun and give birth in the furrows. I don't see how it could happen, but hey, you never know. I suppose it comes down to what Merry believes.

 

[james t kirk]

Great example ...such a great song on featured in an iconic scene. An amazing synergy of great music and brilliant movie making.

Gimme Shelter is one of my favourite Stones Songs. That and "Miss You" and "Monkey Man" and "Tumblin Dice" and "You can't always get what you want"

But in Gimme Shelter you have that iconic guitar riff, the vocals, Merry Clayton, and yes, Merry Clayton.

The scene in the Youtube video is also amazing, just watching it with no dialogue makes me want to pop AN into the DVD player.

 

[69Shooter]

I know it's not exactly what OP meant but, the Pips where great backup singers. I remember an episode of the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" where Tommy Smothers said that they could not afford or otherwise book Gladys Knight to be on the show but that they had managed to get the Pips. The Pips came out and sang the back-up to "Midnight Train to Georgia". Of course, Knight eventually joined them! I could not find a clip of that show but here's another...

 

[69Shooter]

I guess the Smothers Brothers weren't the only ones to do it. Here's a clip from the Richard Pryor show:

 

[ryeguy27]

Bono sang backup for Robbie Robertson.

Axle Rose sang backup for Don Henley

Sting sang backup for Dire Straights

Michael Stipe sang backup for The Indigo Girls

John Lennon sang backup for Bowie

Don Henley sang backup for Cheryl Crow and Linda Ronstadt sang for Henley



The Eagles were really started and got formed as Linda's backing band early in her career if you want to get into the history of these two.

 

[fun-guy]

Which mega famous singer sang backup on this song to these guys in 1964/65?

She also sang backup to Darlene Love's, A Fine Fine Boy. back in the 60's.

 

[fun-guy]

Another bit of trivia.........who sang backup to Elvis? She was a famous singer in her day and today more famous due to her daughter's unbelievable singing career..........there was some magic in the genes that was passed on for sure.

 

[ryeguy27]

Which mega famous singer sang backup on this song to these guys in 1964/65?

She also sang backup to Darlene Love's, A Fine Fine Boy. back in the 60's.

Cher.

 

[cye]

The Band played back up for Bob Dylan

I think they let him sit in with them.