Rolling Stones Documentary “Gimme Shelter” (1970)

By Brandon X. W. | Published: June 5th, 2010

Original 1970 Gimme Shelter poster

When director-brothers Albert and David Maysles heard that the Stones were going on a tour across America, they asked to go along and the band agreed. So the good brothers armed a gang of cameramen with a heap of film-reels and set off to film the most infamous rock ‘n’ roll tour to ever be.

Gimme Shelter is rich with violence, insanity, and a load of nearly forgotten history. Here are some of the highlights: a radio interview with Sonny Barger (Oakland Hell’s Angels MC founder), a ton of hi-fi live Rolling Stones footage, and a great front-row view of an Angel gutting an armed Meredith Hunter.

We’re lucky to have this on film. The Altamont Free Concert and all like it were so bizarre compared to this nightmare we’re living in today that if some now-ancient bar dweller were to tell you about it, it’d seem like some boozed-up fairy-tale or at least one hell of a ballsy lie.

Watch the Stones rip through America in the best of days.

Note: Don’t forget to PLAY IT LOUD.

Gimme Shelter (1970)