The Rolling Stones Didn’t Want “Gimme Shelter” in the ‘Melania’ Biopic — Says Its Owned by the Beatles’ Enemy
(L/R): British musicians Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform during a concert at The Velodrome Stadium in Marseille on June 26, 2018, as part of their 'No Filter' tour. (Photo by Boris HORVAT / AFP) (Photo credit should read BORIS HORVAT/AFP/Getty Images)
Who Controls the Song?
Many viewers have wondered how a Rolling Stones track ended up in the new “Melania” documentary. The song in question, “Gimme Shelter,” was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. However, the rights to the recording are not controlled by the two musicians.
In the past, Jagger and Richards objected when Donald Trump used “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” at his political rallies. They made it clear they were not supporters. Still, when it comes to songs recorded before 1971, they do not have the final say. Those early works are owned by ABKCO Records, the company founded by the late Allen Klein.
Allen Klein’s Role in Rock History
ABKCO controls many major Rolling Stones hits from the 1960s, including “Satisfaction,” “Get Off My Cloud,” and “Under My Thumb.” Klein secured ownership of those songs through contracts made during his time managing the band. As a result, licensing decisions for that catalog do not rest with Jagger and Richards.
Klein is also known for his connection to the Beatles during a tense period in their history. When the group was close to breaking up, John Lennon hired Klein, reportedly on advice linked to the Stones, to handle business matters and deal with Paul McCartney. Many observers believe Klein’s involvement deepened the divide within the band. Lennon later realized the situation had not improved, but by then the split had already taken place.
Contracts and Consequences
Klein built a reputation as a sharp negotiator in the music industry. He arranged a long-term publishing deal that covered the Stones’ early work. He also acquired rights to songs by Sam Cooke, including “You Send Me” and “Wonderful World.” These agreements gave Klein strong control over valuable material from several major artists.
In 1971, Jagger and Richards separated from Klein and signed with Ahmet Ertegun at Atlantic Records. From that point forward, they released new music under different terms. They continued to produce hit records, but the earlier catalog remained under ABKCO’s control.
Klein later released the original version of “96 Tears” by Question Mark and the Mysterians, a single that became a lasting part of rock history. He has since passed away, yet his company still manages key recordings from that era.
Because ABKCO owns “Gimme Shelter,” the decision to license it for the “Melania” film did not belong to Jagger and Richards. Industry observers suggest that Amazon likely paid a significant fee to secure the rights for its use.
