Spector passed after a short fight with cancer
Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes has passed away at the age of 78. Spector’s family shares that the 60s and 70s “bad girl of rock ‘n’ roll” lost a short battle with cancer on Wednesday (Jan 12th).
“Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer. She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan,” the statement on her Facebook page reads.
“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. 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 Spector’s life and music will be announced in the future. The family respectfully asks for privacy at this time.
The Ronettes were best known for “Walking in the Rain,” “Do I Love You,” “Baby I Love You,” “The Best Part of Breaking Up,” “I Can Hear Music,” and the international No. 1 smash “Be My Baby.” These records are among the best-loved and most-emulated recordings in the history of rock and roll.
Spector and the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in March 2007. She was also inducted into the Vocal Hall of Fame in 2004.
Spector and the band headlined over acts like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds. The Beatles personally requested that the Ronettes join their final US tour in August 1966. Later that year, a talented young comedian named Richard Pryor was the opening act for the Ronettes’ final live performance.
In 1970, Ronnie sang on Jimi Hendrix’s recording of “Earth Blues.”
In 1971, Spector released her Apple Records debut single, “Try Some, Buy Some” which was written and produced by George Harrison, with a backing band that included Harrison, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr.
Billy Joel wrote “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” as a tribute to Spector in 1976. The next year, she recorded the song with backing by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band which was issued as a single on Epic Records.
Spector joined Eddie Money for a duet of “Take Me Home Tonight” in 1986. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hung on the chart for 26 weeks. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award and became a heavy rotation video on MTV.
On January 1, 2022, Spector and The Ronettes hit the Top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for the first time since “Be My Baby” in 1963, a record return to the Top 10 following a 58-year, two-month gap.
