Ronnie Spector, 1960s Icon and Ronettes Leader, Dies at 78

Ronnie Spector, the inimitable vocalist who rose to fame as the leader of 1960s girl group the Ronettes, has died. Spector’s family announced the news in a post on the singer’s official website earlier today (January 12). “Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer,” the family wrote in the statement. “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.” Find the full statement here.

Ronnie Spector was born Veronica Bennett in Spanish Harlem in New York City. She was just a teenager when the Ronettes—her pop group with older sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley—began releasing music in the early 1960s, first on Colpix Records. The group was discovered by disc jockey Murray Kaufman, aka “Murray the K,” who hired them as dancers at Brooklyn’s Fox theater (the trio had previously danced at New York’s famed Peppermint Lounge).

In 1963, the Ronettes issued their momentous No. 1 single “Be My Baby,” which would signal the defining sound of the girl group era. Songs like “Walking in the Rain,” “Do I Love You,” “Baby I Love You,” and others would influence artists for decades—the Ramones and Amy Winehouse among them. At one point, the Ronettes became the No. 1 pop group in England. They toured the country—with the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and the Yardbirds as their openers. The Ronettes later joined the Beatles on tour in 1966. In 1971, Ronnie joined forces with George Harrison for her debut single on Apple Records, “Try Some, Buy Some.” Harrison produced and performed on the single, while John Lennon and Ringo Starr played in the backing band. 

In the late ’60s, Ronnie Bennett married producer Phil Spector, who produced a number of singles by the Ronettes (including “Be My Baby”), as well as work by major rock and pop groups of the era. The producer, who died last year while in prison for murder, reportedly kept his then-wife imprisoned in his home. Ronnie later said that he had threatened to kill her. She escaped in 1972, later stating, “I knew I would’ve died there.”

Despite being synonymous with the 1960s, Spector’s musical and sartorial influence stretched far beyond the era. In 1976, Billy Joel wrote “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” as a tribute to the singer (she later recorded it with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band). In 1986, Ronnie sang on Eddie Money’s mega hit “Take Me Home Tonight/Be My Baby,” which interpolates the chorus of the Ronettes’ original. In 1999, Joey Ramone enlisted Spector for his solo song “Bye Bye Baby.” Spector’s trademark look—striking black eyeliner and a sky-high beehive—was revived by Amy Winehouse in the early 2000s.

In addition to her storied career with the Ronettes, Spector released a number of solo works, including 1980’s Siren, 1987’s Unfinished Business, 2006’s The Last of the Rock Stars, and 2016’s English Heart. She also released a holiday album, Ronnie Spector’s Best Christmas Ever, in 2010.

Spector also authored Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, chronicling her life in the music business. She was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 2004.

In recent years, Spector spoke about her support for the #MeToo movement, relaying her own experiences with alleged abuse and the strength she drew from discussing it. She also celebrated her renewed love of performing. “That’s all I can think about; when is my next show?” she said to People in 2018. “Because it makes me happy! My past made me strong. It makes me stronger and stronger, the more I even talk about it.”

This article was originally published on Wednesday, January 12 at 4:46 p.m. Eastern. It was last updated on January 12 at 6:05 p.m. Eastern.