Only a few artists in history have been capable of defining an entire era in pop music. Ronnie Spector is one of those artists: the embodiment of the heart, soul, and passion of female rock and roll in the 1960's. No one has ever surpassed Ronnie's powerful trademark vocals, her gutsy attitude, her innocent but knowing sexuality.
A native of New York City, Ronnie Spector cites Frankie Lyman as her earliest vocal influence. Ronnie cut her first records at age 13 as the lead singer of the Ronettes; her first recorded song was written by Carole King. At the Peppermint Lounge, disc jockey Murray "The K" Kaufman discovered the teenage trio; he promptly hired them as dancers for his Brooklyn-Fox Theater rock and roll revues.
Beginning in 1963 Ronnie Spector- as lead singer of the ultimate girl group, The Ronettes- recorded a long string of classic pop hits: powerful poignant teen anthems like the Grammy-winning "Walking in the Rain", "Do I Love You", "Baby I Love You", "The Best Part of Breaking Up", "I Can Hear Music", and their international Number One smash "Be My Baby". These records are among the best-loved and most-emulated recordings in the history of rock and roll.
As the Number One pop group in England, Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes headlined over acts like the Rolling Stones and Yardbirds. The Beatles personally requested that the Ronettes join their final American tour. For the Ronettes' final live performance at Basin Street East in 1966, their opening act was a talented young comedian named Richard Pryor.
Ronnie Spector is the only American vocalist to have been backed by all four Beatles on her George Harrison-produced single, "Try Some, Buy Some" in 1970. During the next few years, Ronnie also sang on records by Jimi Hendrix and Alice Cooper. In 1976, Billy Joel wrote "Say Goodbye to Hollywood", a tribute to Ronnie which she recorded the following year with backing by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Her Christmas songs with the Ronettes, "Frosty the Snowman", "Sleigh Ride", and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" are holiday classics and an integral part of every Christmas season.
Ronnie's 1986 duet with Eddie Money, "Take Me Home Tonight", was a Top Five Grammy-nominated hit across the nation and a heavy rotation video on MTV.
In 1987, Ronnie made a celebrated return to recording with her Columbia album, Unfinished Business, featuring "Who Can Sleep" and "Love on A Rooftop". Her supporting cast included Diane Warren, Paul Shaffer, Desmond Child, Eddie Money, and The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs.
Over the course of the next 18 months, Ronnie Spector was everywhere. She starred in the HBO/Cinemax special, "Legendary Ladies of Rock" with Grace Slick and Belinda Carlisle as her back up singers. She was a presenter on the American Music Awards telecast, and sang on NBC's "Merry Motown Christmas " special. She starred in a Christmas spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and appeared at the New York Music Awards, where she was inducted (along with Billy Joel) into it's Hall of Fame.
Her classic recordings- "Be My Baby", "Baby I Love You", "Frosty the Snowman", and others have been featured in soundtracks for such films as Baby Boom, The Pickup Artist, Quadrophenia, Good Fella's, Mean Streets, For Keeps, The All-Nighter, Just One of the Guys, and Nine Months. Most significantly, Ronnie's "Be My Baby" set the tone for of the box office smash Dirty Dancing. In September 1988, she joined the cast of the Dirty Dancing stage show for a six-week international tour.
In 1989, Ronnie took time off to write the story of her remarkable life and great music. Be My Baby, How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, published by Crown Publishers, in 1990 was an international bestseller and was published in paperback by HarperCollins in 1991.
In the 90's Ronnie returned to the recording studio to record the theme song for Roseanne's ABC TV cartoon, "Little Rosey", as well as the haunting "Farewell to a Sex Symbol" for the cast album of Tim Rice's Tycoon, and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" for the top ten platinum album, A Very Special Christmas 2.
Recently, Ronnie performed at the invitation of President Clinton for the leaders of the free world at the Summit of the Eight in Denver.
In 1999, Ronnie released the critically acclaimed EP She Talks to Rainbows. Included on the EP were Brian Wilson's "Don't Worry Baby", Johnny Thunders' "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory", and a duet with producer Joey Ramone on his own composition "Bye Bye Baby". The EP was released in America on the cutting edge Kill Rock Stars label.
In June of 2000, Ronnie won a landmark decision after a fifteen year court battle. Her victory impacts on all other recording artists and their ability to be properly compensated.
Today, Ronnie Spector lives in Connecticut with her husband and two sons, Austin Drew and Jason Charles. She is, quite simply, a legend in her own time radiating talent, beauty, and charisma.
The style, look, and sound of Ronnie Spector have served as an inspiration and role model for a generation of rock and roll women. In her sensuality, attitude, and dress, Ronnie created a personal and performing style, which has proven revolutionary.
On stage, record, or on video, a Ronnie Spector performance is a jubilant celebration of the power of Pop.
I went to Basin Street East To see you and your sister and cousin for my 17th birthday in 1968. Yor have my deepest sympathies on the loss of your lovely sister Estelle.
Hi Ronnie, Please check out my new version of "Walking in the Rain" on my new CD "Just Groovin", here at MySpace. Then please read my latest Blog concerning the tune and the 51st Grammys! You are the inspiration! Thanks, Best Regards, Diane Marino
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