New York – Mourning a pop icon of the 60s!
Ronnie Spector, singer from the “Ronettes” is dead. “Our beloved angel on earth” died following a short battle of cancer at the age of 78, as her family announced.
“Ronnie lived her life with a wink, a lively attitude, an evil sense of humor and a smile on her face,” says the statement on CNN. And further: “She was filled with love and gratitude. Her happy sound , her playful manner and her magical presence will live on in everyone who knew, heard or saw her. “
“Be My Baby,” “Baby I Love You” and “Walking in the Rain” still ring the ears of a whole generation today.
Foto: Getty Images
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/the-ronettes-vl–veronica-bennett-spaetere-ronnie-spector-nedra-talley-and-estelle-bennett-aa8d7b26aaf04db58a6205a876a79439-78807496 /Bild/2.bild.jpg “/> „The Ronettes“ (v.l.): Veronica Bennett (spätere Ronnie Spector), Nedra Talley and Estelle BennettFoto: Getty Images
The lead singer took to the stage with a beehive hairstyle and lots of mascara, accompanied by her older sister Estelle and cousin Nedra. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys called “Be my Baby” the “greatest pop record ever made”.
“The louder the audience applauded, the more mascara we put on,” Ronnie later wrote in her memoir.
Born in 1943 as Veronica Yvette Bennett, she was successful as a solo singer even following her career with the “Ronettes”. In 1986 she released the song “Take me Home tonight” with Eddi Money, where she sang the line “Be my little baby” in the chorus, a reference to her earlier hit. The song rose to number 4 in the US charts at the time.
Photo: Lucas Jackson / REUTERS
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/ronnie-spector-war-nach-ihrer-zeit-mit-den-ronettes-auch-als-solo-kuenstlerin-erfaltreich-fc5ba5a12103497daa37fb88b61acf4e- 78807522 / Bild / 2.bild.jpg “/> After her time with the “Ronettes”, Ronnie Spector was also successful as a solo artistPhoto: Lucas Jackson / REUTERS
In 1968 she married the music producer Phil Spector († 81), with whom she adopted three children, but divorced him in 1974. She accused him of abusing and torturing her. Phil Spector, who was known for his particularly full sound (“Wall of Sound”), died in a clinic in January 2021 following a corona illness following being sentenced to 19 years in prison for manslaughter of actress Lana Clarkson.
Ronnie asked for donations to a local women’s shelter or the American Indian College Fund while she was still alive. Details of the funeral will be announced.
