RIFF Magazine

Obituary: Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes dead at 78

Ronnie Spector, The Ronettes

Ronnie Spector, courtesy Winston Vargas/RonnieSpector.com

Singer Ronnie Spector, who with The Ronettes recorded a string of Brill Building pop hits like “Be My Baby,” “Walking In The Rain” and “Do I Love You,” has died at the age of 78 of cancer. She had Her family shared the news on Spector’s website on Tuesday afternoon.

“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,” the statement read.

The Ronettes, which included Spector’s older sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley, formed in New York in 1961. Spector, née Ronnie Bennett, recorded “Be My Baby” when she was still 16.



The Ronettes toured with the likes of the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The latter band opened for them. Around this time, Spector had a romantic relationship with Keith Richards.

“She was 20 years old and she was extraordinary, to hear, to look at, to be with. I fell in love with her, silently, and she fell in love with me,” Richards wrote in his 2010 autobiography, “Life.”

She is, of course, also known for her marriage to Phil Spector, the talented and iconic producer who wrote numerous songs for the group. For years, Phil Spector abused her, isolated her from her family and friends, and prevented her from performing. They eventually divorced in 1974.

Ronnie Spector returned to the music industry several years later, recording with the E Street Band. She reprised “Be My Little Baby” as a vocalist on Eddie Money’s 1986 hit “Take Me Home Tonight.” The song introduced her to a whole new audience.



The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Spector released her final solo album, English Heart, in 2016.

“In lieu of flowers, Ronnie requested that donations be made to your local women’s shelter or to the American Indian College Fund, her family wrote in a statement. “A celebration of Ronnie’s life and music will be announced in the future.”

 

Tony Hicks and Roman Gokhman contributed to this report.

(1) Comment

  1. Sane Spenser

    Yes, Ronnie died and yes, she was married to Phil Spector. Yes, she and her fellow Ronettes has a few, truly good songs and yes, they were a bit distinctive. However, when all is acknowledged, she didn't do all that much and her real claim-to-fame was her marriage to Phil Spector. Had she been smart like Diana Ross, she would have just slept with the boss and got the goodies-instead, she married the boss and got the shit. Diana Ross was way to smart to marry-the-dick, Hence, who did more with what she was given and who had a superior work ethic? Diana still lives, records and goes out-on-the-road.

    Reply

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