Ronnie Spector
Ronnie Spector, lead singer for legendary girl group The Ronettes, has passed away at the age of 78. Her family confirmed the news in a statement, saying Spector had died “after a brief battle with cancer.”
Spector, born Veronica Yvette Bennett, was the leader of The Ronettes alongside her sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley. The group formed in 1959 and split in 1967, though reunited numerous times over the years. The trio is best known for their timeless hit “Be My Baby,” which was a #1 hit in 1963 and set the template for the ’60s girl groups. Their other hits included “Baby, I Love You,” “The Best Part of Breakin’ Up,” “Do I Love You?” and “Walking in the Rain.”
The majority of the group’s music was produced by Phil Spector, who married Ronnie in 1968. The couple divorced in 1972 but she continued using his last name professionally for the rest of her life. Unfortunately, Phil Spector’s abuse of his wife in a variety of horrible ways, as well as his sabotaging of her career, was chronicled in her 1990 memoir Be My Baby, and the producer was convicted of murder later in life before his death in prison early last year. The former couple, along with the other Ronettes, ended up in legal battles for the next decade over royalties and related financial issues.
Spector continued as a solo artist and appearing on other musicians’ albums throughout the ’70s and ’80s and had a comeback of sorts in 1986. Singer Eddie Money‘s smash hit “Take Me Home Tonight” references “Be My Baby” (“Just like Ronnie said…”) and features her singing a clip of the song in response.
The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
The full statement from Spector’s family reads:
“Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer. She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan.
Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. 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.
In lieu of flowers, Ronnie requested that donations be made to your local women’s shelter or to the American Indian College Fund.
A celebration of Ronnie’s life and music will be announced in the future.
The family respectfully asks for privacy at this time.”
