Ronnie Spector (born Veronica Yvette Bennett, 10 August 1943, in New York City) was the lead singer of the 1960’s girl group The Ronettes, who most famously sang Be My Baby. She is the ex-wife of producer Phil Spector.
Kept a near prisoner by Phil Spector throughout her teens and 20s, she eventually left the abusive relationship to raise her son, and reestablish her languishing singing career. Many attempts fell flat; even 1976’s Say Goodbye to Hollywood, written by Billy Joel and with backing from Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band, didn’t take to the charts. Her 1980 album Siren, produced by Genya Ravan, featured a Ramones cover but was not a hit. In 1986 she was featured by Eddie Money on the hit single Take Me Home Tonight, singing the line “Be my baby” as part of the chorus.
Ronnie Spector Sings the Fabulous Ronettes follows the singer’s last UK appearance, in 2014, when her one–woman ‘Beyond the Beehive’ show played London to critical acclaim including 5 star reviews from The Guardian and The Independent. In conjunction with the upcoming tour, in November the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee will release the first new Ronettes recording in 49 years.
