Best back up vocals ever?

Best backing vocal ever = Clare Torry’s free-form solo on Pink Floyd’s “The Great Gig in the Sky.”

Or Merry Clayton’s vocals on the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.”

Or anytime Emmylou Harris has backed up anybody.

The Sweet Inspirations. They were Elvis’ back up singers, and more recently, sang back up for The Killers.

It might have been by The Eagles. They were put together to do back up vocals for Linda Ronstadt, but decided they sounded too good not to go off on their own. So they did.

@Dave: Clare Torry’s performance in Great Gig is my choice by far. I think that her solo is the most emotionally intense vocal work in popular music.

I’m gonna have to go with Flowing – 311
the harmonies in the chorus.. I dunno, I just absolutely love it.
I also really dig Gypsy’s Lights by Quicksilver Messenger Service
& most of Montreal

Oh, this might not be as classic as the other answers, but I’m gonna say Michael Anthony of Van Halen. Anything he sang on was awesome. Jamie’s Cryin’; Runnin’ with the Devil; Dance the Night Away, you name it.

@strat: His performance on Runnin’ with the Devil is definitely something to remember.

I have never heard of anything you’re talking about. Well, I know Arthetha Franklin.

As a serious suggestion, if you could class them as backing vocals, would be the ones from South Park’s answer the Disneys “Circle of Life” song, “The Circle of Poo”
It’s probably the best singing voice i’ve ever heard barre none.

my opinion? the best backing vocals i have ever heard was by Queen, (so many songs) and my favorites by Def leppard. also for me the legendary “twin vocals” was by “Simon and Garfunkel” – “the sound of silence”. check out the 80’s music and bands they did impressive job on backing vocals

I’d say a good 90% of NWOBHM bands