Ronnie Spector, the pioneering lead singer of the 1960s American girl group The Ronettes, whose vocals graced such hits as "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You," has died at the age of 78, relatives said on Wednesday.
Spector died surrounded by loved ones and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan Greenfield, after a brief battle with cancer, the family said in a statement.
"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," the family said.
"Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her."
Ronnie Spector performs during the 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York, March 15
Lucas Jackson
Spector, born Ronnie Bennett, grew up in the Spanish Harlem neighbourhood of New York City. She and her sister, Estelle, and their cousin, Nedra Talley, began performing at a young age, first singing at New York "sock hops," or informal sponsored teenage dance events, and Jewish bar mitzvah parties.
The trio first performed as "Ronnie and the Relatives" before becoming The Ronettes and signing on with Colpix Records, a Columbia Pictures subsidiary, in 1961.
The Ronettes’ sexy look and powerful voices — plus songwriting and producing help from Phil Spector — turned them into one of the premier acts of the girl-group era, touring England with the Rolling Stones and befriending the Beatles.
Spector, alongside her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley, scored hits with pop masterpieces like Baby, I Love You, Walking In The Rain, I Can Hear Music and Be My Baby, which was co-written by Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.
“We weren’t afraid to be hot. That was our gimmick,” Spector said in her memoir.
After touring Germany in 1967, The Ronettes broke up. Spector married Ronnie in 1968, then she said he kept her locked in their Beverly Hills mansion.
The singer and producer began an affair and married in 1968, with the vocalist taking his last name. Years after the couple's 1972 split, Ronnie Spector went public with allegations that she had become a virtual captive in their home, subject to the abuse of a possessive husband as she turned to alcohol for escape.
Her 1990 autobiography Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts And Madness tells an unhappy story of abuse. The couple divorced in 1974. Phil Spector was sent to prison in 2009 for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson and died in 2020.
Ronnie Spector enjoyed a musical comeback in the 1980s when she was featured in American rock star Eddie Money's popular hit single "Take Me Home Tonight," and collaborated with groups including Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.
At The Ronettes' Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2007, Rolling Stones lead guitarist Keith Richards recalled the first time he heard Ronnie Spector sing.
"I hear this beautiful little chant set up, by Nedra and Estelle, and I realise I'm listening to The Ronettes, and then that pure, pure voice over the top singing 'Be My Baby,'" Richards said, referring to the lead vocalist.
"They touched my heart right there and then, and they touch it still," Richards said then.
Ronnie Spector’s influence was felt far and wide.
Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, who reportedly became obsessed with Be My Baby, said he was heartbroken by the news.
“I just heard the news about Ronnie Spector and I don’t know what to say,” he tweeted.
“I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend. This just breaks my heart.
“Ronnie’s music and spirit will live forever.”
Remembering Spector, Kiss bassist Simmons said: “RIP Ronnie Spector.
“The iconic voice of the Ronettes.
“I was proud to have spent some time with Ronnie at A&M Studios, listening to her tell stories about the early years of rock ‘n roll. She will be missed.”
She is survived her husband, Jonathan Greenfield, and two sons, Jason and Austin.