Ronnie Spector

{{Infobox musical artist

| image = Ronnie Spector 1971 BW.jpg

| caption = Spector in 1971

| birth_name = Veronica Yvette Bennett

| birth_date = {{birth date|1943|08|10}}

| birth_place = New York City, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|1|12|1943|8|10}}

| death_place = Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.

| alias = {{ubl|Ronnie Bennett|Ronnie Greenfield}}

| occupation = Singer

| years_active = 1959–2022

| website = {{URL|ronniespector.com}}

| genre = {{hlist|Pop|rock}}

| label = {{hlist|Colpix|Philles|Columbia|Apple|Bad Girl Sounds}}

| past_member_of = The Ronettes

| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Phil Spector|1968|1974|end=div}}|{{marriage|Jonathan Greenfield|1982}}}}

{{Infobox person

| child = yes

| children = 5

}}}}

Veronica Yvette Greenfield{{Cite web|date=October 17, 2002|title=1 No. 114: Ronnie Greenfield, et al. V. Philles Records, Inc., et al|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/nyctap/I02_0118.htm}} ({{nee|Bennett}}, formerly Spector; August 10, 1943 – January 12, 2022) was an American singer who co-founded and fronted the girl group the Ronettes. She is sometimes referred to as the original "bad girl of rock and roll".{{cite news |last=Donovan |first=Patrick |title=The Last of the Rock Stars |url=https://www.theage.com.au/news/cd-reviews/the-last-of-the-rock-stars/2006/04/12/1144521394705.html |work=The Age |location=Australia |date=April 12, 2006}}{{cite web |title=The Ronettes – Inductees |url=https://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/the_ronettes.html |url-status=dead |website=The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation |year=2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320214130/http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/the_ronettes.html |archive-date=March 20, 2007 }}

Spector formed the singing group the Ronettes with her older sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley, in the late 1950s. They were signed to Phil Spector's Philles label in 1963 and he produced the majority of their recording output. The Ronettes had a string of hits in the 1960s, including "Be My Baby" (1963), "Baby, I Love You" (1963), "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up" (1964), "Do I Love You?" (1964), and "Walking in the Rain" (1964). Ronnie married Phil in 1968. Following the couple's divorce in 1974, Ronnie re-formed the Ronettes and began performing again.

In 1980, Spector released her debut solo album Siren. Her career revived when she was featured on Eddie Money's song and video "Take Me Home Tonight" in 1986, a Billboard top five single. She went on to release the albums Unfinished Business (1987), Something's Gonna Happen (2003), Last of the Rock Stars (2006) and English Heart (2016). She also recorded one extended play, She Talks to Rainbows (1999). In 1990, Ronnie Spector published a memoir, Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, Or, My Life as a Fabulous Ronette.{{cite book |last=Cateforis |first=Theo |title=The Rock History Reader |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7o5Wj9-EGYC&q=ronnie+spector+autobiography&pg=PA43 |publisher=Routledge |date=2013 |pages=43 |access-date=July 28, 2017 |isbn=9780415892124}} She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Ronettes in 2007.{{cite web |title=The Ronettes |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/ronettes |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=January 18, 2019}} In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Spector at number 70 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.{{Cite magazine|date=January 1, 2023|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/ronnie-spector-2-1234643090/|access-date=July 12, 2023|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}

Early life

Spector was born Veronica Yvette Bennett in East Harlem, New York City, and grew up in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.{{Cite book|last=Mackin|first=Jim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jSkGEAAAQBAJ&dq=ronnie+spector+washington+heights+1943&pg=PA88|title=Notable New Yorkers of Manhattan's Upper West Side: Bloomingdale–Morningside Heights|date=November 24, 2020|publisher=Fordham Univ Press|isbn=978-0-8232-8931-8|pages=88|language=en}}{{Cite news| last1= Sisario|first1= Ben|last2=Coscarelli| first2= Joe| date=January 12, 2022| title= Ronnie Spector, Who Brought Edge to Girl-Group Sound, Dies at 78| language= en-US|work= The New York Times | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/12/arts/music/ronnie-spector-dead.html| access-date=January 13, 2022| issn= 0362-4331}} She was the daughter of Beatrice and Louis Bennett, a subway worker.{{Cite news|date=January 13, 2022|title=Ronnie Spector obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/13/ronnie-spector-obituary|access-date=January 13, 2022|work=The Guardian|language=en}} Her mother was African American and Cherokee, and her father was Irish.{{Cite web| last= Jamieson| first= Teddy|date=January 20, 2019|title=Ronnie Spector on John Lennon, Phil Spector and loving life at 75| url= https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17359895.ronnie-spector-john-lennon-phil-spector-loving-life-75/| access-date=January 14, 2022| website= The Herald|location=Glasgow |language= en}} Veronica and her sister Estelle Bennett (1941–2009) were encouraged to sing by their large family, as was their cousin Nedra Talley (born 1946). The trio formed the Darling Sisters, known later as the Ronettes.{{cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |title=A Life of Troubles Followed a Singer's Burst of Fame |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/arts/music/17rone.html |newspaper= The New York Times |date=February 16, 2009 |access-date=April 11, 2013}} They performed locally while attending George Washington High School in Washington Heights.{{Cite book| last=Fletcher|first=Tony|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VfUffvx9DfYC&dq=george+washington+high+school+ronnie+spector&pg=PA199|title=All Hopped Up and Ready to Go: Music from the Streets of New York 1927-77|date=October 26, 2009| publisher=W. W. Norton & Company| isbn=978-0-393-33483-8| page= 199| language=en}} Their look was fashioned by Estelle, who had a job at Macy's on the cosmetics counter. They sang at school events, and had a residency at the Peppermint Lounge, a nightspot in Manhattan, the birthplace of the Twist and go-go dancing.{{Cite news|title=Ronnie Spector obituary|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ronnie-spector-ronette-who-married-phil-spector-dies-7gqk099wz|access-date=2022-01-27|issn=0140-0460}}

Career

=1963–1969: The Ronettes and early success=

File:The Ronettes 1966.JPG

File:Ronnie Spector 1966.jpg

The Ronettes became a popular live attraction around the greater New York area in the early 1960s. Looking for a recording contract, they initially were signed to Colpix Records and produced by Stu Phillips.{{cite book |last=Ribowsky |first=Mark |title=He's a Rebel: Phil Spector--Rock and Roll's Legendary Producer |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WKaQgGo9USYC&q=ronettes+Colpix+Records&pg=PA117 |publisher= Cooper Square Press |date=May 2, 2000 |pages=117 |isbn=978-1-4616-6103-0}} After releasing a few singles on Colpix without success, they tracked down record producer Phil Spector, who signed them to his label Philles Records in 1963.{{Sfn|Thompson|2003|pp=76-77}} Their relationship with Spector brought chart success with their biggest hit "Be My Baby" in 1963, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite magazine|last=Weiner|first=Natalie|date=2017-07-14|title=What Is It About The Ronettes' 'Be My Baby'? Some of the Countless Artists to Lift the Iconic Drum Beat Weigh In|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/the-ronettes-be-my-baby-drum-intro-artists-sample-interview-7866041/|access-date=2022-01-19|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}} A string of top 40 pop hits followed with "Baby, I Love You" (1963), "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up" (1964), "Do I Love You?" (1964), and "Walking in the Rain" (1964). The group had two entries on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965 with "Born to Be Together" and "Is This What I Get for Loving You?".{{Cite magazine|title=The Ronettes| url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-ronettes/|access-date=January 14, 2022| magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}

In 1965, the Ronettes were voted the third-top singing group in England behind the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.{{cite journal| date= November 1966|title=The Ronettes| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=9zlc1lcRd44C&q=rollingstones| journal= Ebony|pages=1984}} They opened for the Beatles on their 1966 US tour without their lead singer.{{cite journal |last=Barbee|first=Bobby|date=September 22, 1966|title=Rocking Ronettes Rocket Toward Fame| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=W7oDAAAAMBAJ&q=ronettes+jet+magazine&pg=PA60|journal=Jet|pages=60}} Phil had forbidden Bennett to tour with the Beatles, so her cousin Elaine stood in as a third member. The group's last charting single, "I Can Hear Music", was produced by Jeff Barry and reached No. 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/ronnie-spector-dead-dies-the-ronettes-1235152801/|title= Ronnie Spector, Girl Group Icon and Leader of the Ronettes, Dies at 78|date=January 12, 2022|work=Variety}}

The Ronettes broke up in early 1967, following a European concert tour.{{cite magazine |last1=Sanders |first1=Charles L. |magazine=Jet |title=Paris Scratchpad |date= February 23, 1967 |page=28 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dLgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 |language=en}} After Bennett married Phil in 1968, she began to use the name Ronnie Spector, but she withdrew from the spotlight because Phil prohibited her from performing and limited her recordings. In 1969, Phil signed a production deal with A&M Records and he released her record "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered", credited as "The Ronettes Featuring the Voice of Veronica", with "Oh I Love You", an old Ronettes B-side, as the flip. Her vocals were used for the lead and backing vocals.{{Cite magazine|date=March 15, 1969|title=Special Merit Spotlight|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zygEAAAAMBAJ&dq=phil+spector+production+a%26m+1969+billboard&pg=PA70|magazine=Billboard|pages=70}}{{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Mick|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AtGGsfW10d0C&dq=You+Came,+You+Saw,+You+Conquered+spector&pg=PA238|title=Tearing Down The Wall of Sound: The Rise And Fall of Phil Spector|date=2012-10-17|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-1-4088-1950-0|pages=238|language=en}} Phil kept many of the group's unreleased songs in a vault for years.{{cite news |title=Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes perform at The Rose on Saturday |url=https://pasadenaweekly.com/ronnie-spector-and-the-ronettes-perform-at-the-rose-on-saturday/ |access-date= January 13, 2022 |work= Pasadena Weekly |date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113042751/https://pasadenaweekly.com/ronnie-spector-and-the-ronettes-perform-at-the-rose-on-saturday/ |archive-date=January 13, 2022}}

=1970–1982: Solo career and ''Siren''=

In February 1971, Ronnie Spector recorded the song "Try Some, Buy Some/Tandoori Chicken" at Abbey Road Studios during Phil's work with George Harrison.{{Cite magazine|date=March 13, 1971|title=Spector, Harrison In Abbey Road|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_QgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Try+Some%2C+Buy+Some+ronnie+billboard+1971&pg=PA52|magazine=Billboard|pages=52}}{{cite book| author1= Castleman, Harry| author2= Podrazik, Walter J. |title=All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961–1975|publisher= Ballantine Books |location=New York |date= 1976|page= 100}} Written by Harrison, and produced by both Harrison and Phil, her debut solo single was released on Apple Records in April 1971.{{Cite magazine|date=April 24, 1971|title=Top 60 Pop Spotlight|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VAgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=ronnie+spector&pg=PA58|magazine=Billboard|pages=56}}{{cite book| author= Badham, Keith |title=The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 1970–2001|publisher= Omnibus Press |location=London|date= 2002|pages= 25–26}} It peaked at No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1971.{{Cite magazine|date=May 29, 1971|title=Billboard Hot 100|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2AgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Try+Some%2C+Buy+Some+ronnie+billboard+1971&pg=PA68|magazine=Billboard|pages=68}} Although the single was not a big hit, its backing track was used two years later for Harrison's own version of the song, on his chart-topping Living in the Material World album.{{cite book|author=Leng, Simon |title=While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison|publisher= Hal Leonard |location=Milwaukee, WI|date= 2006|pages= 133–34}} "Try Some, Buy Some" had another lasting influence when John Lennon recorded "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" later the same year and asked Phil (co-producing again) to reproduce the mandolin-laden Wall of Sound he had created for that single. Lennon liked the rockabilly B-side too; he sang it at his birthday party in New York City in October 1971 (a recording of which has appeared on bootlegs).{{cite book| author= Badham, Keith|title=The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 1970–2001|publisher= Omnibus Press |location=London|date= 2002|page= 51}} Spector recorded other Harrison songs during those London sessions – including "You" and "When Every Song Is Sung" – but her versions were never released, even though a full album had been planned.{{cite book| author=Harrison, George | title=I Me Mine|publisher= Chronicle Books |location=San Francisco |date= 2002| pages=218, 228}}

After separating from Phil in 1972, she reformed the Ronettes (as Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes) with two new members (Chip Fields Hurd, the mother of actress Kim Fields, and Diane Linton) in 1973. They released a few singles on Buddah Records, but the records failed to chart.{{Cite journal|date=May 18, 1974|title=Ronnie Spector Returns| url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-05-18.pdf|journal=Record World| pages= 23}}

In 1973, Spector provided backing-vocals with Liza Minnelli for Alice Cooper's song "Teenage Lament '74" from the album Muscle of Love (1973).{{Cite book |last=Graff |first=Gary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nE-VEAAAQBAJ&dq=Teenage+Lament+'74+ronnie+spector&pg=PA78 |title=Alice Cooper at 75 |date=2023-01-31 |publisher=Motorbooks |isbn=978-0-7603-7827-4 |pages=78 |language=en}} By 1975, Spector was recording as a solo act. She released the single "You'd Be Good For Me" on Tom Cat Records in 1975.{{Cite magazine| date=September 6, 1975|title=Top Singles Picks| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SCgEAAAAMBAJ&q=ronnie+spector+billboard+1975&pg=PA67|magazine=Billboard|pages=67}}

In 1976, she sang a duet with Southside Johnny on the recording "You Mean So Much To Me", penned by Southside's longtime friend Bruce Springsteen.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2022/jan/12/ronnie-spector-a-life-in-pictures|title=Ronnie Spector: a life in pictures|date=January 13, 2022|work=The Guardian}} This was the final track on the Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes' debut album I Don't Want to Go Home.{{Cite web|title=I Don't Want to Go Home - Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes| url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-dont-want-to-go-home-mw0000191790| access-date=January 13, 2022|publisher=AllMusic|language=en}} She also made appearances with the E Street Band the following year, including a cover version of Billy Joel's 1976 track "Say Goodbye to Hollywood".{{Cite magazine|last=Greene|first=Andy|date=August 18, 2016|title=Flashback: Ronnie Spector and the E Street Band Cover Billy Joel| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flashback-ronnie-spector-and-the-e-street-band-cover-billy-joel-98225/|access-date=January 13, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}

In her book, Spector recounted several abortive attempts to recapture mainstream success throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, during which time she was perceived as an oldies act.{{cite news |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |title= Rock: Ronnie Spector is Back |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1982/01/22/arts/rock-ronnie-spector-is-back.html |work=The New York Times |date= January 22, 1982}} She recorded her first solo album in 1980, Siren, produced by Genya Ravan.{{Cite web|title=Siren - Ronnie Spector| url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/siren-mw0000850407| access-date=January 13, 2022| publisher= AllMusic|language=en}}

=1983–2002: "Take Me Home Tonight", ''Unfinished Business'', and return to music=

In 1986, Ronnie Spector enjoyed a resurgence of popular radio airplay as the featured vocalist on Eddie Money's Top 5 hit, "Take Me Home Tonight", in which she answers Money's chorus lyric, "just like Ronnie sang", with, "be my little baby". The song's music video was one of the top videos of the year and in heavy rotation on MTV. During this period, she also recorded the song "Tonight You're Mine, Baby" (from the film Just One of the Guys).{{Cite news| url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/10676805/Ronnie-Spector-interview-The-more-Phil-tried-to-destroy-me-the-stronger-I-got.html|title=Ronnie Spector interview: 'The more Phil tried to destroy me, the stronger I got'| work= The Daily Telegraph| access-date=August 6, 2017 |language=en}}

In 1988, she began performing at the Ronnie Spector's Christmas Party, a seasonal staple at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.{{cite news|author=Reed, James |date=December 23, 2008| url= https://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/12/23/still_rockin_around/ |title=Still rockin' around| work= The Boston Globe }}{{cite web|url= https://www.bbkingblues.com/bio.php?id=2025|title= RONNIE SPECTOR'S BEST CHRISTMAS PARTY EVER!| website= B.B. King Blues Club & Grill|location= New York|year= 2013| access-date= May 28, 2014|archive-date= May 29, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140529052247/http://www.bbkingblues.com/bio.php?id=2025|url-status= dead}}{{cite web|url= http://calendar.northjersey.com/brooklyn_ny/events/show/352005703-ronnie-spector|title= Events: Ronnie Spector|website= NorthJersey.com|year= 2013|access-date= May 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20140528215955/http://calendar.northjersey.com/brooklyn_ny/events/show/352005703-ronnie-spector|archive-date= May 28, 2014| df= mdy-all}} In 1999, she released the EP, She Talks to Rainbows, which featured a few covers of older songs. Joey Ramone acted as producer.{{Cite web| last= Phipps|first=Keith|date=August 22, 1999| title= Ronnie Spector| url= https://www.avclub.com/ronnie-spector-1798208039|access-date=January 13, 2022|website=The A.V. Club|language=en-us}}

In 1988, she and the other members of the Ronettes sued Phil Spector for nonpayment of royalties and for unpaid income he made from licensing of Ronettes’ music. In 2001, a New York court announced a verdict in favor of the Ronettes, ordering him to pay $2.6 million in back royalties.{{Cite web| url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-17-mn-41981-story.html|title=Ronettes Entitled to Back Pay From Phil Spector, Judge Rules|date=June 17, 2000|website=Los Angeles Times}} The judgment was overturned by a Court of Appeals in 2002 and remanded back to the New York State Supreme Court. The judges found that their contract gave Phil unconditional rights to the recordings. It was ruled that Ronnie was entitled to her share of the royalties, which she had forfeited in her divorce settlement, but they reversed a lower court's ruling that the group were entitled to the music industry's standard 50 percent royalty rate.{{Cite web |last=Worth |first=Robert F. |date=October 18, 2002 |title=A Sad Song for the Ronettes: Court Reverses Royalty Rights |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/18/nyregion/a-sad-song-for-the-ronettes-court-reverses-royalty-rights.html |website=The New York Times}} In the outcome, Phil paid in excess of $1 million to Ronnie Spector.{{Cite news| last=Sisario| first= Ben|date=February 14, 2009| title= Estelle Bennett, a Singer for the Ronettes, Is Dead at 67|language=en-US|work=The New York Times| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/arts/music/14bennett.html|access-date= December 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331}} In December 1998, having just signed to the Creation Records label, she appeared on the BBC's Later... with Jools Holland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p005jfhz|title=BBC Two - Later... with Jools Holland, Series 12, Episode 8|publisher=BBC}}

=2003–2022: Collaborations and ''English Heart''=

In 2003, Ronnie Spector provided backing vocals for The Misfits' album Project 1950 on the songs "This Magic Moment" and "You Belong to Me."{{Cite web|title=Misfits - Project 1950 (album review) |url= https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/816/Misfits-Project-1950/| access-date= July 19, 2021| website= Sputnikmusic}} In 2004, the Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.{{Cite web| title=The Ronettes - Music Inductees| url=https://vocalgroup.org/inductees/the-ronettes/|access-date=January 14, 2022|website= vocalgroup.org | publisher = The Vocal Group Hall of Fame| language=en-US}}

File:Live in London 2015 credit Chris Hall copy 2.jpg

Spector provided guest vocals on the track "Ode to LA", on The Raveonettes' album Pretty in Black (2005).{{cite web| url= https://www.nme.com/reviews/the-raveonettes/7686|title=The Raveonettes : Pretty In Black|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808204642/https://www.nme.com/reviews/the-raveonettes/7686|archive-date=August 8, 2007| website= NME|accessdate=September 24, 2016}} Her album, Last of the Rock Stars (2006), was released by High Coin and featured contributions from members of The Raconteurs, Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Raveonettes, Patti Smith, and Keith Richards. Spector herself co-produced two of the songs.{{Cite web| last= Hogan| first=Marc|date=June 6, 2006| title= Ronnie Spector: The Last of the Rock Stars|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9086-the-last-of-the-rock-stars/|access-date= January 14, 2022| website=Pitchfork |language=en}} Despite objections from Phil Spector, who was awaiting trial for murder, the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.{{Cite web|date=March 7, 2007|title=Phil Spector blasts The Ronettes' Hall Of Fame induction| url= https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-ronettes-2-1350336|access-date= December 8, 2020| website= NME| language=en-GB}}

A Christmas EP, Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Ever, was released on Bad Girl Sounds in November 2010, featuring five new Christmas songs.{{Cite web|title=Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Ever - Ronnie Spector| url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ronnie-spectors-best-christmas-ever-mw0002066061|publisher=AllMusic|language=en|access-date=January 14, 2022}} In 2011, after the death of Amy Winehouse, Spector released her version of Winehouse's single "Back to Black" (2006) as a tribute and for the benefit of the Daytop Village addiction treatment centers.{{cite news| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-ronnie-spector-pays-tribute-to-amy-winehouse-20110727| title=Exclusive: Ronnie Spector Pays Tribute to Amy Winehouse| magazine= Rolling Stone|date=July 27, 2011}} She also performed this song as part of her live act, including in 2015 during a UK tour.{{Cite web| last= Ponsonby| first=Shaun|date=November 30, 2015| title=Ronnie Spector: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool F.C.| url= https://www.getintothis.co.uk/2015/11/ronnie-spector-philharmonic-hall-liverpool/|access-date=January 14, 2022| website= Getintothis.co.uk |language=en-GB}} She appeared on the 2014 New Year's Eve edition of the Jools' Annual Hootenanny.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04wlgks|title=BBC Two - Jools' Annual Hootenanny, 2014/15|publisher=BBC}}

In 2016, she released, through 429 Records, English Heart, her first album of new material in a decade.{{cite web| url= https://www.npr.org/2016/04/04/472717629/songs-we-love-ronnie-spector-id-much-rather-be-with-the-girls| title=Songs We Love: Ronnie Spector, 'I'd Much Rather Be With The Girls'| publisher=NPR |date=April 4, 2016}}{{Cite web| title=English Heart - Ronnie Spector {{!}} Release Info| url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/english-heart-mr0004521564| access-date=January 14, 2022| publisher= AllMusic|language=en}} The album features her versions of songs of the British Invasion by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, the Bee Gees, and others, produced by Scott Jacoby.{{cite magazine| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ronnie-spector-on-keith-richards-david-bowie-and-life-after-phil-20160414| title=Ronnie Spector on Keith Richards, David Bowie and Life After Phil|magazine=Rolling Stone| date= April 14, 2016}} English Heart peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ronnie-spector/chart-history/tln/ |title= Ronnie Spector Chart History| magazine = Billboard|accessdate=April 12, 2018}} On August 9, 2017, People premiered a new single, "Love Power" by Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes, produced by Narada Michael Walden, making it the first Ronettes single in decades.{{cite web| url= https://people.com/music/ronnie-spector-and-the-ronettes-love-power-premiere/|title=FIRST LISTEN: Rock Queen Ronnie Spector Releases 'Love Power,' Her First Song in Decades with the Ronettes|work=People|date=August 9, 2017}}

In 2018, Spector appeared in the music documentary Amy Winehouse: Back to Black (2018), based on Winehouse and her final studio album Back to Black. The album was inspired by 1960s girl groups Winehouse gathered inspiration from listening to, such as The Ronettes.{{cite news|first= Laura |last= Snapes |title= Hologram of Amy Winehouse set for 2019 worldwide tour |newspaper= The Guardian |date= October 12, 2018 |access-date= October 12, 2018 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/12/amy-winehouse-hologram-tour}} It contained new interviews as well as archival footage.{{cite magazine|first= Starr |last= Bowenbank |title= Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black' Documentary Announced: Watch the Trailer |magazine= Billboard |date= September 19, 2018 |access-date= October 12, 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/8475979/amy-winehouse-back-to-black-documentary-trailer}}{{cite magazine|first= Karen |last= Bliss |title= Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black' Documentary Offers Revealing Commentary from Mark Ronson, Salaam Remi & More |magazine= Billboard |date= September 20, 2018 |access-date= October 12, 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8476229/amy-winehouse-back-to-black-documentary-recap}} Spector was a great inspiration for Winehouse, who emulated her hair, as well as vocal style. In return, Ronnie Spector covered "Back to Black", the Winehouse's signature song. She recalls that Winehouse turned up at a concert looking just like her while she sang her song. Spector recalled seeing "a tear out of her (Winehouse) eye and it made me cry".

In September 2020, Deadline reported that actress Zendaya would portray Spector in a biopic adapted from her memoir Be My Baby.{{Cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=September 29, 2020|title=Zendaya to Play Ronnie Spector in Upcoming Film on Singer's Life| url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/movies/9457239/zendaya-play-ronnie-spector-film|access-date= December 8, 2020| magazine= Billboard| language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=September 29, 2020| title= Zendaya In Talks To Play Ronnie Spector In A24 Film About Iconic Singer; Label Acquires Life Rights & 'Be My Baby' Autobiography| url= https://deadline.com/2020/09/zendaya-ronnie-spector-movie-a24-be-my-baby-autobiography-euphoria-1234587999/| access-date=December 8, 2020| website= Deadline| language= en-US}}{{cite web| url= https://variety.com/2022/music/news/zendaya-honors-ronnie-spector-1235153767/|title=Zendaya Honors Ronnie Spector: 'Thank You for Sharing Your Life With Me'| work = Variety|date=January 13, 2022}} In December 2021, the Ronettes returned to the Top 10 for the first time in 58 years with their 1963 recording of "Sleigh Ride".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-tops-hot-100-ronettes-sleigh-ride-1235014113/|title=Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Holds Atop Hot 100, The Ronettes' 'Sleigh Ride' Hits Top 10|date=December 28, 2021|magazine=Billboard}} Following her death in January 2022, the BBC broadcast the compilation tribute Ronnie Spector at the BBC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001411h/ronnie-spector-at-the-bbc|title=Ronnie Spector at the BBC|publisher=BBC}}

Autobiography

She released her memoir Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, Or, My Life as a Fabulous Ronette in 1990; the book was later named by Rolling Stone contributor Rob Sheffield as one of the greatest rock biographies of all time.{{cite magazine |last1=Sheffield |first1=Rob |date=August 13, 2012 |title=Rob Sheffield Picks 25 Greatest Rock Memoirs of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-25-greatest-rock-memoirs-of-all-time-20120813/ronnie-spector-be-my-baby-how-i-survived-mascara-miniskirts-and-madness-1989-20120813 |accessdate=28 July 2017}} An updated version titled Be My Baby: A Memoir was completed in late 2021, just two months before Spector's death, and was released in May 2022.{{Cite magazine |last=Martoccio |first=Angie |date=2022-01-13 |title=Ronnie Spector Finished Revising Her Memoir Just Weeks Before Her Death |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ronnie-spector-memoir-be-my-baby-revise-1284256/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

Personal life and death

File:Ronnie Spector 2000.jpg

Ronnie and Phil Spector began having an affair soon after she was signed to his label in 1963.{{Sfn|Thompson|2003|pp=77-78}} Early in their relationship, she was unaware that he was married.{{Sfn|Thompson|2003|p=97}} Once, Ronnie was apprehended by house detectives for prostitution at the Delmonico Hotel in New York City after leaving a room they had booked. She was allowed to call Phil, who threatened the hotel, and then they allowed her to leave.{{Sfn|Thompson|2003|pp=97-98}} After Phil divorced his wife in 1965, he purchased a home in Beverly Hills, where he lived with Ronnie.{{Sfn|Thompson|2003|p=98}} They married at Beverly Hills City Hall on April 14, 1968.{{Sfn|Thompson|2003|p=120}} Ronnie changed her surname and became known as Ronnie Spector.{{cite web|title=Ronnie Spector – Singer – Biography|publisher=Biography.com|url=https://www.biography.com/people/ronnie-spector-17172228 | access-date=August 27, 2015}} Their son Donté Phillip was adopted in 1969. Two years later, Phil surprised her for Christmas with adopted twins, Louis and Gary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ronnie-spector-interview-2013/|title=Ronnie Spector: The Original Icon|last=Muller|first=Marissa G.|date=November 12, 2013|website=Noisey}}

Ronnie alleged in her 1990 memoir that following their marriage, Phil subjected her to years of psychological torment and sabotaged her career by forbidding her to perform.{{Cite web|last=McStarkey|first=Mick|date=August 10, 2021|title=How Ronnie Spector triumphed over evil to become a hero|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/how-ronnie-spector-became-a-hero/|work=Far Out Magazine|access-date=December 26, 2021|language=en-US}} She said he surrounded their house with barbed wire and guard dogs, and confiscated her shoes to prevent her from leaving;{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/marriage-hit-wrong-chord-ronette-article-1.797108|title=MARRIAGE HIT WRONG CHORD, SAYS RONETTE|last=Arena|first=Salvatore|date=June 11, 1998|website=Daily News|location=New York}} on the rare occasions he allowed her out alone, she had to drive with a life-size dummy of Phil. She stated that Phil installed a gold coffin with a glass top in the basement, promising that he would kill her and display her corpse if she ever left him.{{Cite news|last=Harvey|first=Chris|date=January 17, 2019|title=Ronnie Spector interview: 'MeToo is now, but I've been living it my whole life'|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/ronnie-spector-interview-metoo-now-living-whole-life/|access-date=December 8, 2020|issn=0307-1235}} She began drinking and attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings to escape the house.

In 1972, Ronnie fled their mansion barefoot and without any belongings, with the help of her mother.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/10676805/Ronnie-Spector-interview-The-more-Phil-tried-to-destroy-me-the-stronger-I-got.html|title=Entertainment|date=May 6, 2010|work=MSN Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529103205/http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/music/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=24160517&page=7|archive-date=May 29, 2014|url-status=dead|publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform|page=7}} "I knew that if I didn't leave I was going to die there," she said.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/06/spector200306|title=Legend with a Bullet|last=Anson|first=Robert Sam|date=June 2003|magazine=Vanity Fair}} In their 1974 divorce settlement, Ronnie forfeited all future record earnings, alleging that Phil had threatened to have a hit man kill her. She received $25,000, a used car, and monthly alimony of $2,500 for five years. She later testified that Phil had frequently pulled a gun on her during their marriage and threatened to kill her unless she surrendered custody of their children.

She tried to rebuild her career, keeping Spector's surname professionally because "I needed any way I could to get back in, I'd been kept away so long."{{Cite web|last=Graham|first=Reid|date=June 5, 2007|title=Ronnie Spector Interviewed: Time has come today (2006)|url=https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/784/ronnie-spector-interviewed-time-has-come-today-2006/|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=Elsewhere by Graham Reid|language=en}} According to her, Phil hired lawyers to prevent her singing her popular songs and denied her royalties. In 1988, the Ronettes sued Phil for $10 million in damages, rescission of the contract, the return of the masters, and recoupment of money received from the sale of Ronettes masters.{{Cite news|last=Collins|first=Glenn|date=June 26, 1998|title=A 90's Refrain for a 60's Girl Group; Ronettes' Suit Says Phil Spector Owes Them $10 Million|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/26/nyregion/90-s-refrain-for-60-s-girl-group-ronettes-suit-says-phil-spector-owes-them-10.html|access-date=December 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331}} It took 10 years for the case to make it to trial.{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=1998-06-26 |title=A 90's Refrain for a 60's Girl Group; Ronettes' Suit Says Phil Spector Owes Them $10 Million |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/26/nyregion/90-s-refrain-for-60-s-girl-group-ronettes-suit-says-phil-spector-owes-them-10.html |access-date=2023-09-11 |issn=0362-4331}} After a prolonged legal battle, the court ruled that their contract gave Phil unconditional rights to the recordings but Ronnie was entitled to her share of royalties.

In 1983, she married her manager Jonathan Greenfield.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KB8qEAAAQBAJ|title=Be My Baby: A Memoir Book by Ronnie Spector|date=May 3, 2022|access-date=April 8, 2024|publisher=Henry Holt and Company|isbn=9781250837202}} They had two sons, and lived in Danbury, Connecticut.{{cite news|author=Tuccio, M.B. |date=May 15, 2012|url=https://www.ctpost.com/music/article/Beyond-the-Beehive-tells-Ronnie-Spector-s-life-3560791.php |title='Beyond the Beehive' tells Ronnie Spector's life story|work=Connecticut Post}}{{cite news |last1=Hardaway |first1=Liz |title=Ronnie Spector, lead of The Ronnettes, Danbury resident dies at 78 |url=https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Ronnie-Spector-lead-of-The-Ronnettes-Danbury-16771326.php?src=nthpdesecp |newspaper=News-Times |date=January 13, 2022 |publisher=Hearst Connecticut Media |access-date=January 13, 2022}}

Spector died at her home in Danbury{{Cite web|title=Obituary: Ronnie Spector, '60s icon who sang pop classic Be My Baby|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/obituary-ronnie-spector-60s-icon-who-sang-pop-classic-be-my-baby-3528397|access-date=2022-01-23|website=www.scotsman.com|date=January 17, 2022 |language=en}} on January 12, 2022, shortly after a cancer diagnosis, at the age of 78.{{cite news|url = https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-arts-and-entertainment-phil-spector-ronnie-spector-84c905db02a01ffa43a6052c3ce66920?|title = Ronnie Spector, '60s icon who sang 'Be My Baby,' dies at 78|last = Kennedy|first = Mark|work = Associated Press|date = January 12, 2022|accessdate = January 12, 2022}}{{Cite news|last1=Sisario|first1=Ben|last2=Coscarelli|first2=Joe|date=January 12, 2022|title=Ronnie Spector, Who Brought Edge to Girl-Group Sound, Dies at 78|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/12/arts/music/ronnie-spector-dead.html|access-date=January 13, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}

Discography

=The Ronettes=

Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, 1964{{Cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Mark|date=January 13, 2022|title=Ronnie Spector, '60s icon who sang 'Be My Baby,' dies at 78|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/60s-icon-ronnie-spector-sang-baby-dies-78-82230668|access-date=January 15, 2022|website=ABC News|language=en}}
Sing Their Greatest Hits, 1975{{Cite web|title=Sing Their Greatest Hits - The Ronettes|publisher=AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sing-their-greatest-hits-mw0000839069|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
The Greatest Hits, Vol. 2, 1981{{Cite web|title=The Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 - The Ronettes|publisher=AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-greatest-hits-vol-2-mw0000954209|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
The Best of The Ronettes, 1992{{Cite web|title=The Best of the Ronettes|publisher=AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-the-ronettes-mw0000085384|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2022}}

=Solo albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;" \| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" \| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1" \| Peak chart positions
style="width:3em;font-size:90%"\| US Heat
scope="row"\| Siren \| Released: 1980 Label: RCA, Polish Records \| –
scope="row"\| Unfinished Business \| Released: May 1987 Label: Columbia/CBS{{Cite web\|title=Unfinished Business - Ronnie Spector {{!}} Release Info\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/unfinished-business-mr0002762015\|access-date=January 15, 2022\|publisher=AllMusic\|language=en}} \| –
scope="row"\| The Last of the Rock Stars \| Released: 2006 Label: High Coin \| –
scope="row"\| English Heart \| Released: April 8, 2016 Label: 429 \| 6{{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ronnie-spector/chart-history/tln/\|title=Ronnie Spector Chart History\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=January 14, 2022}}
align="center" colspan="10" style="font-size: 8pt"\| "—" denotes a release that did not chart.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Album details

! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions

style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| US
Heat

scope="row"| Siren

Released: 1980
Label: RCA, Polish Records

| –

scope="row"| Unfinished Business

Released: May 1987
Label: Columbia/CBS{{Cite web|title=Unfinished Business - Ronnie Spector {{!}} Release Info|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/unfinished-business-mr0002762015|access-date=January 15, 2022|publisher=AllMusic|language=en}}

| –

scope="row"| The Last of the Rock Stars

Released: 2006
Label: High Coin

| –

scope="row"| English Heart

Released: April 8, 2016
Label: 429

| 6{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ronnie-spector/chart-history/tln/|title=Ronnie Spector Chart History|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 14, 2022}}

align="center" colspan="10" style="font-size: 8pt"| "—" denotes a release that did not chart.

=EPs=

She Talks to Rainbows EP, 1999{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ronniespector/albums/album/144794/review/5942286/she_talks_to_rainbows_us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013023825/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ronniespector/albums/album/144794/review/5942286/she_talks_to_rainbows_us|archive-date=October 13, 2007|title=Ronnie Spector: She Talks to Rainbows [US] : Music Reviews |magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|date=October 28, 1999}}
Something's Gonna Happen EP, 2003{{Cite web|title=Something's Gonna Happen - Ronnie Spector|publisher=AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/somethings-gonna-happen-mw0000316767|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
Best Christmas Ever EP, 2010

= Solo singles=

{{small|Sources:{{Cite web|title=Discography|url=https://www.ronniespector.com/discography|access-date=January 15, 2022|website=Ronnie Spector|language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ronnie-spector-ronettes-best-songs-1283633/|title=Ronnie Spector: 15 Essential Songs|first1=Jon|last1=Dolan|first2=Jon|last2=Freeman|first3=Elisabeth|last3=Garber-Paul|first4=Kory|last4=Grow|first5=Joseph|last5=Hudak|first6=Daniel|last6=Kreps|first7=Elias|last7=Leight|date=January 13, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone}}}}

1971: "Try Some, Buy Some" (Apple 1832)
1975: "You'd Be Good For Me" (Tom Cat YB-10380)
1976: "Paradise" (Warner Spector SPS 0409)
1977: "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" (Epic 8–50374)
1978: "It's a Heartache" (Alston 3738)
1980: "Darlin'" (Polish PR-202)
1987: "Who Can Sleep" (Columbia 38-07082)
1987: "Love On a Rooftop" (Columbia 38-07300)

Publications

{{Cite book|last=Spector|first=Ronnie|title=Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life as a Fabulous Ronette|year=1990|publisher=Harmony Books|author2=Vince Waldron|isbn=0-517-57499-3|edition=1st|location=New York|oclc=21196925}}

References

= Citations =

=Works cited=

{{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |year=2003 |title=Wall of Pain: The Biography of Phil Spector |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P9WKBHCxRocC |location=London |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |isbn=9781860745430}}

External links

{{official website}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2022/jan/12/ronnie-spector-a-life-in-pictures|title=Ronnie Spector: a life in pictures|date=January 13, 2022|work=The Guardian}}
[https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/elle-king-ronnie-spector-under-the-mistletoe-8544998/ Last recording with Ronnie Spector. Billboard]
{{IMDb name|0817491}}
{{discogs artist|Ronnie Spector}}
[https://www.45cat.com/artist/ronnie-spector Ronnie Spector] at 45cat.com