Did you love "Gimme Shelter" from the first moment you heard it?
Where did you hear it?
Have you seen the band do it on tour?

How do you feel about the song today? (those of you who haven't posted on the
terrific "Magic of "GS" thread)

Well, it was high school for me. I remember picking up the guitar when I first heard it and remembering how easy it was to play. What a great intro. I remember taking a date to see the film "Gimmie Shelter" in Westwood Village. There was an earthquake in the middle of the movie and my date asked me to drive her home. I told her if she wants to leave before the movie ended, she could call her parents or take a cab home.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-10-17 00:27 by BluzDude.

1970 ......... 16 years old I love this song from the first time I heard it

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I was 15 and it was love at first listen! It's been my favorite song ever since. I had never heard it anywhere until I got my first Hot Rocks album, that I only got because I boy I liked love the RSs.

Yes, I've seen it on tour a bunch of times, and people hate me for saying this, but Lisa just doesn't capture the raw intensity of the vocals for me the way Merry Clayton does. Merry sings it as though she is begging with all her might for you to save her. Lisa sings it with power, it's a different emotion, and I don't think it fits as supremely.

Wasn't looking too good, but I was feeling real well.

Was about 12...borrowed Rolled Gold on the public library

Sort of sneaked up on me... 15?

11. When it came out.
JR

its impossible for me to remember when I first heard it because its been in so many movies. It was even in one called "adventures in babysitting", at least the intro is. Its one of those songs that was in my subconscious for a long time, but I first became aware of it, the name and artist and everything and first started listening to it in the summer of 97 when i was 17

ryanpow Wrote:
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> its impossible for me to remember when I first
> heard it because its been in so many movies. It
> was even in one called "adventures in
> babysitting", at least the intro is.

It sure is, soon after a smokin blues jam with Albert Collins!

hah! yeah thats the scene in the blues club right? I also remember edwin starrs "25 miles" in that movie.

Yes, CindyC, no comparison re Merry and anyone else.

Merry at one time was one of Ray Charles Raylettes and quite revered in LA recording sessions. Stones were overwhelmed by her when they were recording.
No one does "approaching menace" like Merry.

I think of her like Aretha on a good day -- all it takes is to hear one note and you're glued to the song.

Believe I've mentioned in past post Merry was also lead back-up singer in 1974 on the record of "Sweet Home Alabama"

I was 5 years old - found out how to put a vinyl record on, - and listened to Rolled Gold - again and again
This was in 2006...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-10-17 09:21 by Erik_Snow.

I was thirteen. It was 1982. There was a reportage of Stones Paris concert in Finnish radio, and the intro was played as a soundtrack behind. And it was a live version of, most probably from Brussels Affair. Anyway, it sounded magical, and I was really asking for "what's that! where can I get it!"...

- Doxa

Maybe eight or nine. OFOH and TRS were easier at that age. Let it bleed a bit too depressing.

I was 15, got the album LIB for Christmas back in 1969.

nice set of questions, bringing back memories
heard it in the late 70's, when I was 13 or 14
Borrowed Roled Gold from a friend, then taped, then listened 1000 times.
what a feeling.....
Then heard it live, in Budapest in 1995, then in Prague in 2003.
Each time thought it will be the last time. now I know it's not true

Hmm, I guess it was the end of 1994 or early 1995, so I was 17.

Have to say, I can't remember my first impression of it, but I don't think I fell in love with it straight away, like I did with some of the other classics.

I guess it was a grower.

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What's your favourite flavour?...........Cherry Red!!

Erik_Snow Wrote:
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> I was 5 years old - found out how to put a vinyl
> record on, - and listened to Rolled Gold - again
> and again
> This was in 2006...

I really admire yer ability to switch among ages, ole boy ;O)..
I do that too, but today I'm goddammit soon-to-be 44... :O(

I was 13 yrs old when I picked Let It Bleed in 1970 at a local drugstore. Slapped it on the turntable and was mesmorised by GS and the rest of the album. Think I went thru 4 copies of the vinyl...wish I had saved my original!

first heard gimme shelter when i was 19.

at first i thought it was good, but the song seemed to improve after that whenever i listened to it.

after a dozen or so listens it became a classic.

heard it in concert, at hampden in 1989, wasnt impressed, its just 1 song that dosent seem to work live.

Erik, you have the most amazing memory. Wow! all the way back to 2006.

Soon you'll be writing your own biography. Look out Ronnie!

13. I still remember hearing the intro - never before - voodoo, pure voodoo.

14

When it was released.
And yes Lisa rules on it in concert :-)

I was also 16 and got " Let It Bleed" for Christmas, although I'd heard "Gimme Shelter" played on the radio before I actually had my album; I was totally knocked out by it, never realizing that one day I'd see it performed LIVE, many times, and many times in splendid fashion! One show that I remember as if it was yesterday was the Licks Foxboro Show, Sept of 2002. My best friend had never seen the Stones live and was very curious to see first hand what I was so nuts about! It was a beautiful, cool fall evening, full moon, just perfect. The Stones came on, exceptionaly energetic, powerful sound, and about 10 songs into the set the started Gimme Shelter! I thought she was going to fall out of her seat! He mouth was open, totally awe-struck that they could sound that good! I recall saying, " SEE, I TOLD YOU THEY ARE THE GREATEST!".

Great question. I was first exposed to Gimme Shelter on Hot Rocks. The year was probably about 1974 or 75 when I was 15 or so. GS was one of my least favorites on Hot Rocks. The only explanation is probably that I was just too young to get it. Today, Gimme Shelter gives me goosebumps every time I hear it and it is (along with Rocks Off) my favorite Stones song.

I was 16
Bought the album when it first hit the racks in '69

12 years, january 1978

So who was the youngest? Me I think? I win?

i was about 9 or 10 years old (1982) and although i didn't realy care or know too much about sex, drugs, crime or politics, i completely "understood" the song. it just touched me very deeply. somehow i was also scared of that song....

i still think its the best "rock" song of all time. it's just brilliant, absolutely genius!!!

i've heard it several times live and the lisa part was always fantastic.
but otherwise i must admit, that i was often quite disapointed especialy about their recent live versions. somehow the drive is missing and keith is just noodling around and the main evil riff is not played with verve and strength at all. on this tour i was even happy that the didnt play it!
i think GS is one of the only few songs of which i'll always prefere the studio version, because it's, as i mentioned, absolutely genius!