Remembering Ronnie Spector, who died today at age 78.
Wow, really tough to see the great Ronnie Spector died today.
What a voice. What charisma. What sexiness. Just the total package.
I still get chills listening to the chorus of “Be My Baby,” a song obscenely ahead of its time.
Some years ago, Brian Wilson, the creative force behind all the Beach Boys hits, was interviewed about the Ronettes. Paraphrasing, he told the story of driving his convertible through the Lauren Canyon in mid-1964, and “Be My Baby” came on the car radio for the first time. Wilson said he was so blown away he had to pull the car over to the side of the road. He just sat there in the front seat, jaw open, listening, the radio blasting at full volume, in total awe. It was one of those penetrating moments we all have with music or movies or something else we like, that is, only if we’re lucky. Yes, moments to live for.
I know Ronnie Spector had a tough life and didn’t get her rightful due, either financially or as an artist. Had she blossomed in today’s music scene instead of back then when acts were pre-packaged like beer and tires and exploited like a cheap commodity, she’d be every bit as huge as Adele or Lady Gaga or Katy Perry.
What a talent. Thanks for giving us all that moment, Ronnie Spector.