Ronnie Spector, the iconic leader of 60s group The Ronettes, has died aged, 78. Her family confirmed the sad news in a statement on Thursday (Jan 13), saying that the singer passed away “after a brief battle with cancer.”
“She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan,” Spector’s family wrote. “Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humour 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.”
The Ronettes | ‘Be My Baby’
Spector, who was born Veronica Bennett, first formed a trio under the name of The Darling Sisters in 1957. The group were signed to infamous record producer Phil Spector’s label in 1963 and changed their name to The Ronettes before releasing one of the most famous songs in pop history, Be My Baby.
The Ronettes | ‘Baby, I Love You’
Over the next few years, The Ronettes continued to release massive hits, including Baby, I Love You and Walking in the Rain which were all produced by Spector. Ronnie married Spector in 1968, following The Ronettes split one year earlier. Following the Ronettes split in 1967.
After divorcing Phil Spector in 1974, Ronnie reformed the iconic pop group and released one single, I Wish I Never Saw The Sun Shine, before folding the group and launching her own solo career, releasing four solo albums better 1980 and 2016, as well as collaborating with scores of music legends, including Patti Smith and Jack White.
The Ronettes | ‘I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine’
In 1999, Spector was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for Be My Baby, and into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by Keith Richards in 2007. During his induction speech, Richards, one of the most notorious rockers of all time, described Spector as the original "bad girl of rock 'n' roll”.
RIP.
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