Ronnie Spector Remembered: Photos Of The Ronettes Singer

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January 12, 2022 6:21PM EST

Ronnie Spector was an icon of the 60s girl group genre. Remember the late songstress in photos, from her girl group days with the Ronettes in the 60s to her rocking performances on stage in the 2000s.

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Ronnie Spector Remembered: Photos Of The Ronettes Singer

Ronnie Spector Remembered: Photos Of The Ronettes Singer
Jim Cooper/AP/Shutterstock

Ronnie Spector was an icon of the 60s girl group genre, leading the hit group The Ronettes. Their big hair, tight clothes, and seductive stares set them apart from their more chaste peers while their “Wall Of Sound” production, courtesy of Ronnie’s husband Phil Spector, and irresistible tracks like “Be My Baby” and “Do I Love You” shot them to the top of the charts.

Despite their success, it was a toxic relationship for Ronnie and after years of enduring Phil’s controlling behavior, she left him in 1972 and pursued her solo career. She came back into the spotlight in 1976 with a cover of Billy Joel’s “Say Goodbye To Hollywood” with the E Street Band and then again in 1986 when a sample of “Be My Baby” was also used in the Eddie Money hit “Take Me Home Tonight”. Performing right up until her 70s, Ronnie passed away at age 78 on Jan. 12, 2022 after a “brief battle with cancer”.

Ronnie Spector talks about her new record in a New York City music studio in the 80s. 

Click through to see photos of Ronnie Spector, from her girl group days with the Ronettes in the 60s to her rocking performances on stage in the 2000s.

January 12, 2022, 5:52PM
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Ronnie Spector In Concert In 2017

Ronnie Spector In Concert In 2017
Larry Marano/Shutterstock

Ronnie Spector rocks the house during a concert at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on Mar. 11, 2017.

Her family offered a statement upon her passing, telling Rolling Stone, “Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was filled with love and gratitude. Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her.”

January 12, 2022, 5:52PM
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Ronnie Spector Performs In 1984

Ronnie Spector Performs In 1984
Laubach/Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Ronnie Spector shines in a gold dress as she performs in New York for New Year’s Eve 1984. Despite hardships, she never stopped making music.

Ronnie simply loved being on stage. Talking about performing with People in 2017, she said, “Nothing excites me more than just being onstage, having fun and flirting and winking to the guys and stuff like that.”

She went on, “I just have so much fun. It’s just the best feeling when I go out and they say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen…’ —my heart stops for a minute— ‘…Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes!’ Then I just go out there and the crowd reacts the way they react and I can go on singing forever.”

January 12, 2022, 5:52PM
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Ronnie Spector In Red

Ronnie Spector In Red
Scott Weiner/Mediapunch/Shutters

Ronnie Spector looks radiant in red in a promo portrait. She was married to music producer Phil Spector from 1968 to 1974. He was later convicted of the 2004 killing actress Lana Clarkson.

Upon his death in Jan. 2021, Ronnie posted on Instagram, “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.”

January 12, 2022, 5:52PM
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Ronnie Spector In 2014

Ronnie Spector In 2014
Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock

Ronnie Spector strikes a pose at the Alzheimer Association’s Rita Hayworth Gala in New York in Oct. 2014.

Asked how she defines rock and roll in a chat with People in 2017, Ronnie said, “How do I define it? It’s just fun! If you’re on that stage and you have a hit record, you know you’ve made it and you’re having the time of your life.”

She went on, “That’s how I felt in the 60s, the ’70s when I came back, and in the ’80s of course when I made that record with Eddie Money, “Take Me Home Tonight.”

January 12, 2022, 5:52PM
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The Ronettes

The Ronettes
Shutterstock

Ronnie poses with fellow Ronettes, sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. The girls were beloved for their rebelous style and sweet vocals.

Ronnie admitted their sex appeal was key in her 2004 memoir ‘Be My Baby’. She wrote, “We weren’t afraid to be hot. That was our gimmick. When we saw The Shirelles walk on stage with their wide party dresses, we went in the opposite direction and squeezed our bodies into the tightest skirts we could find. Then we’d get out on stage and hike them up to show our legs even more.”

January 12, 2022, 5:53PM