"Gimme Shelter's" background vocalist

Dear Matthew Alice: During a recent at-work jam session (i.e., playing 9IX really loud while the boss was away), an argument developed over the identity of the background vocalist in the Rolling Stones’ classic “Gimme Shelter. ” One person claimed Carly Simon. Another Janis Joplin. We tried calling 91X, and Steve West DIDN’T know. Is it anyone even marginally famous? Please restore the quiet monotony inherent to this office so we can all get something done — J.J. & Company, North Island

This poser’s been making the rounds for a quarter of a century, guys. Bonnie Bramlett is the most popular wrong guess. At least you came up with some fresh misinformation. The backer on the deli anthem “Gimme Seltzer” is the marginally famous former Ikette Merry Clayton. For those of you inclined to pick nits, she’s billed in the liner notes as Mary Clayton. The album’s wrong. I’m right. Now you guys goofing off around the tax-funded water cooler, get back to work.