R.I.P. Phil Spector

Legendary producer and convicted murderer Phil Spector has died at age 81 from COVID-related complications.

No doubt, one of the most controversial figures in the history of popular music, Phil Spector initially gained fame for building his acclaimed “Wall Of Sound” a production technique that can be heard in hits by The Ronettes, The Crystals and The Righteous Brothers.

Classic Spector hits include Be My Baby (The Ronettes), He’s A Rebel (The Crystals) and You’ve Lost The Lovin’ Feeling (The Righteous Brothers)

After the unexpected flop of his production of River Deep, Mountain High in 1966 by Ike & Tina Turner (actually all Tina no Ike) Phil and wife Ronnie Spector disappeared from public view, but a few years later Spector resurfaced as producer for The Beatles, John Lennon and George Harrison.

His work during the 1970s was patchy at best working with Dion, Cher, Leonard Cohen and eventually The Ramones.

Sadly Phil Spectors’ legacy has been severely tainted by his personal life. Ex-wife Ronnie detailed her torturous time married to him in her book, Be My Baby and he was later convicted of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. Phil Spector died while serving his sentence for killing Ms. Clarkson.

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