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Ronnie Spector: Be My Baby singer of The Ronettes dies at 78 Ronnie Spector: Be My Baby singer of The Ronettes dies at 78
(about 3 hours later)
Spector, real name Veronica Bennett, performed with her older sister and cousin as the Ronettes
Ronnie Spector, the trail-blazing lead singer of the 1960s all-girl group the Ronettes, has died.Ronnie Spector, the trail-blazing lead singer of the 1960s all-girl group the Ronettes, has died.
The pop star found fame with hits such as Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking in the Rain.The pop star found fame with hits such as Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking in the Rain.
A statement from her family said she passed away at age 78 "after a brief battle with cancer".A statement from her family said she passed away at age 78 "after a brief battle with cancer".
"Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humour and a smile on her face," the statement said."Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humour and a smile on her face," the statement said.
"She was filled with love and gratitude. Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her.""She was filled with love and gratitude. Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her."
Born in 1943 in Manhattan as Veronica Yvette Bennett, she shot to fame aged just 18 while performing with her older sister and cousin.Born in 1943 in Manhattan as Veronica Yvette Bennett, she shot to fame aged just 18 while performing with her older sister and cousin.
Spector's vocal style influenced everyone from The Rolling Stones to The Beatles
With their beehive hairstyles and liberal use of mascara, the multi-racial group caught the attention of record producers while performing in New York clubs.With their beehive hairstyles and liberal use of mascara, the multi-racial group caught the attention of record producers while performing in New York clubs.
In 1968, she wed Phil Spector, who pioneered the "wall of sound" recording technique. They were married for six years and adopted three children together before their divorce.In 1968, she wed Phil Spector, who pioneered the "wall of sound" recording technique. They were married for six years and adopted three children together before their divorce.
It was under him that the group recorded smash hits like Be My Baby, Walking In The Rain and Baby I Love You.
But he was violent and abusive. In her memoir, Spector wrote that Phil kept a coffin in the basement of their house to let the singer know that he would kill her if she left him. In 1972, she escaped their house barefoot.But he was violent and abusive. In her memoir, Spector wrote that Phil kept a coffin in the basement of their house to let the singer know that he would kill her if she left him. In 1972, she escaped their house barefoot.
It was under him that the group recorded hits Be My Baby and Baby I Love You. The Ronnettes later sued him for unpaid royalties. The Ronnettes later sued the producer for unpaid royalties. He died in prison in 2021 while serving a murder sentence.
He later died in prison in 2021 while serving a murder sentence.
The group's bad-girl personas are credited with paving the way for future female musical artists.
Ronnie Spector pictured at the Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New YorkRonnie Spector pictured at the Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York
The Ronettes' bad-girl personas are credited with paving the way for future female musical artists.
"We weren't afraid to be hot. That was our gimmick," Spector wrote in her memoir in 2004, titled Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness."We weren't afraid to be hot. That was our gimmick," Spector wrote in her memoir in 2004, titled Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness.
"When we saw The Shirelles walk on stage with their wide party dresses, we went in the opposite direction and squeezed our bodies into the tightest skirts we could find. Then we'd get out on stage and hike them up to show our legs even more.""When we saw The Shirelles walk on stage with their wide party dresses, we went in the opposite direction and squeezed our bodies into the tightest skirts we could find. Then we'd get out on stage and hike them up to show our legs even more."
But it wasn't just their outfits. Spector's voice - full of yearning, tenderness and toughness - was a revelation, with a street-wise spirit other girl groups lacked.
The huge success of Be My Baby stopped other musicians in their tracks.
The Ronettes pictured during their UK tour in January 1964
"I was driving [the first time I heard it], and I had to pull over to the side of the road - it blew my mind," said the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson in 2013.
"I felt like I wanted to try to do something as good as that song, and I never did. I've stopped trying. It's the greatest record ever produced. No one will ever top that one."
The group's only album, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, was released in 1964 by Philles Records.The group's only album, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, was released in 1964 by Philles Records.
It contains hits including Chapel of Love, I Wonder and a cover of Ray Charles' What'd I Say. It contained standards like Chapel of Love, I Wonder and a cover of Ray Charles' What'd I Say; and five of its 12 songs have made it to the US Billboard charts.
Five of its 12 songs have made it to the US Billboard charts. Be My Baby also made the UK's top five, and Spector's vocal style influenced everyone from The Rolling Stones to The Beatles. The latter hand-picked The Ronettes to join their US tour in 1966 but a jealous Phil Spector wouldn't let Ronnie go, and the band played the dates without her.
Be My Baby was used in the opening sequence of films Dirty Dancing and Martin Scorsese's 1973 Mean Streets. Spector performed at the Glastonbury music festival in 2016
The Ronettes opened for major rock bands including The Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds. In 1966, the Beatles picked them to join their US tour. They were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. After escaping her abusive marriage, the singer recorded a cover of Billy Joel's Say Goodbye to Hollywood with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band; and was introduced to a new generation of fans when she contributed vocals to Eddie Money's Take Me Home Tonight in 1986.
A number of people have paid tribute to Spector on social media. Be My Baby was also used in the opening sequence of films Dirty Dancing and Martin Scorsese's 1973 Mean Streets; and The Ronettes were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Brian Wilson, member of the Beach Boys, wrote on Twitter: " I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend. This just breaks my heart. Ronnie's music and spirit will live forever." Spector's final record was 2016's English Heart, in which she covered classics by her 1960s contemporaries, including The Kinks' Tired Of Waiting and Nina Simone's Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.
"Every song is a little piece of my life," she said in 2007. "I'm just a girl from the ghetto who wanted to sing."
RIP Ronnie Spector. It was an honor to Produce her and encourage her to get back on stage where she remained for the next 45 years. Her record with the E Street Band helped sustain us at a very precarious time (thanks to Steve Popovich). Condolences to her husband and family.RIP Ronnie Spector. It was an honor to Produce her and encourage her to get back on stage where she remained for the next 45 years. Her record with the E Street Band helped sustain us at a very precarious time (thanks to Steve Popovich). Condolences to her husband and family.
Tributes to the star have flooded in since her death was announced on Wednesday night.
"She had the most unique voice," said her friend and Crystals singer, La La Brooks.
"Fans should know, when Ronnie hit the stage, she was the most happiest."
"I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend," wrote Brian Wilson on Twitter. "This just breaks my heart. Ronnie's music and spirit will live forever."
Joan Jett said: "She was the sweetest person you could ever know. And her mark on rock and roll is indelible."Joan Jett said: "She was the sweetest person you could ever know. And her mark on rock and roll is indelible."
"This totally blows," said Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine. "Thank you for the music, for being so freaking cool."
Spector is survived by her second husband and manager, Jonathan Greenfield, and two sons.Spector is survived by her second husband and manager, Jonathan Greenfield, and two sons.