Ronnie Spector, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who fronted classic 1960s girl group the Ronettes, delivered the iconic vocal on their hit “Be My Baby,” and counted many of rock’s…
But she added in a statement then, “Meeting him and falling in love was like a fairytale. … I still smile whenever I hear the music we made together, and always will.”Everett Collection
Billy Joel wrote the song “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” with the Ronettes in mind, and she would record it with the E Street Band in 1977. Joel’s version was a hit in 1981. RIP Ronnie Spector. It was an honor to Produce her and encourage her to get back on stage where she remained for the next 45 years. Her record with the E Street Band helped sustain us at a very precarious time . Condolences to her husband and family.Born Veronica Bennett on August 10, 1940, in the Bronx, Spector began singing professionally in junior high and formed the Darling Sisters with her sibling Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley in 1958.
Ronnie would launch a solo career with 1964’s “So Young,” but the single failed to chart. She had minor success with the George Harrison-penned “Try Some, Buy Some” in 1971 — Phil Spector was head of A&R at the Beatles’ Apple Records at the time — and recorded the 1976 duet, “You Mean So Much to Me” with Southside Johnny. The track was written by the latter’s pal Springsteen, and produced by Van Zandt.