The song was recorded in London at Olympic Studios in February and March 1969 ; the vocals were recorded in Los Angeles at Sunset Sound Recorders and Elektra Studios in October and November that same year . Nicky Hopkins played piano , the Rolling Stones ' producer Jimmy Miller played percussion , Charlie Watts played drums , Bill Wyman played bass , Jagger played harmonica and sang backup vocals with Richards and Clayton . Guitarist Brian Jones was present during the early sessions but did not contribute , Richards being credited with both rhythm and lead guitars on the album sleeve . For the recording , Richards used an Australian-made Maton SE777 , a large single-cutaway hollowbody guitar , which he had previously used on " Midnight Rambler " . The guitar barely survived the recording before literally falling apart . " O n the very last note of ' Gimmie Shelter , ' " Richards told '' Guitar World '' in 2002 , " the whole neck fell off . You can hear it on the original take . " " Gim me Shelter " quickly became a staple of the Rolling Stones ' live shows . It was first performed sporadically during their 1969 American Tour and became a regular addition to their setlist during the 1972 American Tour . A version recorded in Oakland CA is on thebootleg Live ' r Than You 'll Ever Be . Other concert versions appear on the Stones ' albums '' No Security '' ( recorded 1997 , released 1998 ) , '' Live Licks '' ( recorded 2003 , released 2004 ) , '' Brussels Affair '' ( recorded 1973 , released 2011 ) , and '' Hyde Park Live '' ( 2013 ) . A May 1995 performance recorded at Paradiso ( Amsterdam ) was released on the 1996 " Wild Horses " ( live ) single , on the 1998 " Saint of Me " single ( included in the 45-CD 2011 box set '' The Singles 1971 – 2006 '' ) , and again on '' Totally Stripped '' in 2016
1969 American Tour
The Rolling Stones American Tour 1969
Gimme Shelter