Ronnie Spector, singer of The Ronettes and ex-wife of Phil Spector, has spoken on the death of her former personal and creative partner.
On Jan. 16, Phil Spector died at age 81 of COVID-19 complications. The legendary pop music producer was also famously troubled, and Ronnie Spector was allegedly but one of the victims of his behaviour. The couple was married from 1968 to 1974, after they'd met when Spector produced music for Ronnie's band, The Ronettes, in the 1960s.
Ronnie Spector's statement on Phil Spector's death
Ronnie, 77, took to Instagram to address Spector's passing, sharing a picture of the pair in the studio and reflecting on their times together, good and bad. "It's a sad day for music and a sad day for me," Ronnie wrote. "When I was working with Phil Spector, watching him create in the recording studio, I knew I was working with the very best. He was in complete control, directing everyone. So much to love about those days."
Her statement continued, "Meeting him and falling in love was like a fairytale. The magical music we were able to make together, was inspired by our love. I loved him madly, and gave my heart and soul to him. As I said many times while he was alive, he was a brilliant producer, but a lousy husband. Unfortunately Phil was not able to live and function outside of the recording studio. Darkness set in, many lives were damaged.
"I still smile whenever I hear the music we made together, and always will. The music will be forever," she concluded. "Phil Spector 1939-2021." Some of the Ronettes' biggest Spector-produced hits included "Be My Baby," "Walking in the Rain," and "Baby, I Love You."
Phil Spector dead at age 81 (1939-2021)
After marrying in 1968, Phil and Ronnie Spector would adopt three children. But Ronnie later accused Spector of keeping her imprisoned in their home, of psychological torment, and of regularly brandishing a handgun and threatening her with death. She later described that she "escaped" the home in 1972, and the couple divorced in 1974.
Since 2009, Spector had been serving 19 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of Lana Clarkson, an actress and hostess who died of a gunshot wound in Spector's home in 2003. According to a CDCR release, he died at an outside hospital while serving his sentence in California.
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