Ronnie Spector facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ronnie Spector
Spector in 1966
Background information
Birth name	Veronica Yvette Bennett
Also known as	Ronnie Bennett Veronica
Born	(1943-08-10)August 10, 1943 New York City, U.S.
Died	January 12, 2022(2022-01-12) (aged 78) Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1959–2022
Labels	Colpix Philles Columbia Apple Bad Girl Sounds

Veronica Yvette Greenfield (born Bennett, formerly Spector; August 10, 1943 – January 12, 2022) was an American singer. She was famous for being the lead singer and a founder of the girl group The Ronettes.

Ronnie started the singing group with her older sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley. This was in the late 1950s. They signed with record producer Phil Spector's label, Philles, in 1963. He produced most of their music.

The Ronettes had many hit songs in the 1960s. These included "Be My Baby" (1963), "Baby, I Love You" (1963), and "Walking in the Rain" (1964). Ronnie married Phil Spector in 1968. After they divorced in 1974, Ronnie started performing again.

In 1980, she released her first solo album, Siren. Her career became popular again in 1986. She sang on Eddie Money's hit song "Take Me Home Tonight." This song reached the top five on the Billboard charts. She then released more albums like Unfinished Business (1987) and English Heart (2016).

In 1990, Ronnie Spector wrote a book about her life called Be My Baby. In 2007, she was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Ronettes.

Early Life

Ronnie Spector was born Veronica Yvette Bennett in East Harlem, New York City. She grew up in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan. Her parents were Beatrice and Louis Bennett. Her mother was Black and Cherokee, and her father was Irish.

Ronnie and her sister Estelle Bennett (1941–2009) loved to sing. Their cousin Nedra Talley (born 1946) also sang. The three of them formed a group called the Darling Sisters. Later, they became known as The Ronettes. They performed locally while attending George Washington High School. They also sang at school events and had shows at the Peppermint Lounge, a club in Manhattan.

Career

The Ronettes and Early Success

Ronnie Spector (center) with The Ronettes, 1966

The Ronettes became a popular live group in the New York City area in the early 1960s. They wanted a recording contract. They first signed with Colpix Records but their songs did not become hits.

Then, they met record producer Phil Spector. He signed them to his label, Philles Records, in 1963. Their work with Spector led to big success. Their biggest hit was "Be My Baby" in 1963, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Other top songs followed, including "Baby, I Love You" (1963), "Do I Love You?" (1964), and "Walking in the Rain" (1964). In 1965, they had two more songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1965, The Ronettes were voted the third-best singing group in England. Only the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were more popular. They even opened for The Beatles on their 1966 US tour. However, Ronnie was not allowed to tour with The Beatles. Her cousin Elaine filled in for her. The group's last song to reach the charts was "I Can Hear Music" in 1966.

The Ronettes broke up in early 1967. After Ronnie married Phil Spector in 1968, she started using the name Ronnie Spector. She stopped performing much because Phil limited her recordings and performances.

Solo Career and Siren

Spector in 1971

In 1971, Ronnie Spector recorded her first solo song, "Try Some, Buy Some." It was written by George Harrison of The Beatles. It was released on Apple Records and reached No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music from this song was later used by George Harrison himself. John Lennon also liked the song and asked Phil Spector to use a similar sound for his song "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."

After separating from Phil in 1972, she formed The Ronettes again in 1973. She had two new members, Chip Fields Hurd and Diane Linton. They released a few songs, but they did not become hits. By 1975, Ronnie Spector was recording as a solo artist.

In 1976, she sang a duet with Southside Johnny on the song "You Mean So Much To Me." This song was written by Bruce Springsteen. She also performed with the E Street Band.

Ronnie Spector worked to restart her career in the 1970s and early 1980s. She released her first solo album, Siren, in 1980.

"Take Me Home Tonight" and Return to Music

In 1986, Ronnie Spector became very popular again. She was featured on Eddie Money's hit song "Take Me Home Tonight." In the song, she sings "be my little baby." The song's music video was very popular on MTV. She also recorded "Tonight You're Mine, Baby" for the movie Just One of the Guys.

In 1988, she started her "Ronnie Spector's Christmas Party" shows. These became a yearly tradition in New York City. In 1999, she released a short album (EP) called She Talks to Rainbows. Joey Ramone helped produce it.

In 1988, she and the other Ronettes sued Phil Spector. They wanted money they believed they were owed from their music. In 2001, a court decided in favor of The Ronettes. They were supposed to get $2.6 million. However, this decision was later changed. In the end, Phil Spector paid Ronnie Spector over $1 million.

Collaborations and English Heart

In 2003, Ronnie Spector sang backing vocals for The Misfits' album Project 1950. In 2004, The Ronettes were added to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Ronnie Spector performing in London 2015

She sang on the song "Ode to LA" for The Raveonettes' album Pretty in Black (2005). Her album, Last of the Rock Stars (2006), included music from other famous artists like Patti Smith and Keith Richards. The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

A Christmas EP, Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Ever, was released in 2010. It had five new Christmas songs. In 2011, after the singer Amy Winehouse passed away, Ronnie Spector released her own version of Winehouse's song "Back to Black." This was a tribute to Amy and helped addiction treatment centers. Ronnie Spector often performed this song live.

In 2016, she released English Heart. This was her first album of new songs in ten years. The album featured her singing songs by British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. English Heart reached No. 6 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. In 2017, a new Ronettes single, "Love Power," was released.

In 2018, Ronnie Spector appeared in a documentary called Amy Winehouse: Back to Black. Amy Winehouse was greatly inspired by 1960s girl groups like The Ronettes. Ronnie Spector was a big inspiration for Amy, who copied her hairstyle and singing style. Ronnie Spector covered Amy's song "Back to Black." She remembered seeing Amy Winehouse at a concert looking just like her and crying while she sang.

In 2020, it was announced that actress Zendaya would play Ronnie Spector in a movie based on her book Be My Baby. In December 2021, The Ronettes' 1963 song "Sleigh Ride" returned to the Top 10 charts. After Ronnie Spector passed away in January 2022, the BBC broadcast a tribute show called Ronnie Spector at the BBC.

Personal Life

Ronnie and Phil Spector started dating after she signed with his record label in 1963. They married on April 14, 1968. Ronnie changed her last name to Spector. They adopted a son, Donté Phillip, in 1969. Two years later, Phil surprised her with adopted twin sons, Louis and Gary.

The couple divorced in 1974. Ronnie continued to use the name Spector for her music career.

In 1982, she married her manager, Jonathan Greenfield. They had two sons and lived in Danbury, Connecticut. Her book, Be My Baby, was published in 1990. Rolling Stone magazine later called it one of the best rock biographies ever.

Death

Ronnie Spector passed away at her home in Danbury on January 12, 2022. She was 78 years old and had been battling cancer.

Discography

The Ronettes

• Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, 1964
• Sing Their Greatest Hits, 1975
• The Greatest Hits, Vol. 2, 1981
• The Best of The Ronettes, 1992

Solo Albums

EPs

• She Talks to Rainbows EP, 1999
• Something's Gonna Happen EP, 2003
• Best Christmas Ever EP, 2010

Solo Singles

• 1971: "Try Some, Buy Some"
• 1975: "You'd Be Good For Me"
• 1976: "Paradise"
• 1977: "Say Goodbye To Hollywood"
• 1978: "It's a Heartache"
• 1980: "Darlin'"
• 1987: "Who Can Sleep"
• 1987: "Love On a Rooftop"

Images for kids

• 

  Spector in 2000

See Also

In Spanish: Ronnie Spector para niños