MovieChat Forums > Phil Spector (2013) Discussion > Ronnie Spector's Book

Ronnie Spector's Book

posted 11 years ago by Flexicon
16 replies | jump to latest

I happened to pick up Ronnie's book about her life with Phil Spector back in the early '90s. I knew nothing about her or Phil at the time but the title of the book was "Be My Baby" and I knew the song. That song had been the centerpiece of Dirty Dancing and marked a revival of Spector produced material. Also, the cover of the book seemed interesting...

http://i49.tinypic.com/351wqw3.jpg

I have to say that book has always stayed with me and I was so moved by it that I actually picked up this box set to hear all the songs described in the book...

http://i48.tinypic.com/35ir3fl.jpg

I soon became well educated on the history of Spector's music as the box set included an amazing coffee table sized volume of photos and written history of all the artists and writers involved in the production of Phil's music. I can't recommend these materials enough if you are able to get hold of them. I know others have written books about Spector and those around him, but Ronnie's account of being held prisoner in his macabre world is essential if you want to understand the mystery behind the madness. The real irony is that the tale is sadder than the songs, but both will live forever in my mind and in my heart.

When the news of these tragic events surfaced in 2003 I was not at all surprised... my education on the life and times of Phil Spector was already complete. The only question in my mind was whether or not most people in the world even knew who Phil Spector was.

Monster, legend, madman, recluse or enigma... we just may never know the real man behind the wall of sound.

[–] TheGoodMan19 11 years ago

Hell, if my ex-wife wrote a book about me, I'd bet it wouldn't be too complimentary.

The only question in my mind was whether or not most people in the world even knew who Phil Spector was.

Anyone who doesn't know of Spector exclusive of the trial and that damn wig should be slapped. He was a fcking genius. I'm not really a fan of the Wall of Sound, but you cannot deny the amazing amount of great music he produced. I'd say the greatest rock music producer ever, with the exception of George Martin and maybe Brian Wilson and Brian Eno.

If Woody had gone right to the police, this would never have happened. - Capt. Haddock

[–] Flexicon 11 years ago

this is also a Phil Spector song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1cekET8rIk

his work is pervasive, even for those who don't know a lot of music history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Then_He_Kissed_Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sr-vxVaY_M

[–] TheGoodMan19 11 years ago

Oh, his body of work is amazing. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, Spanish Harlem, The Ronettes. Let it Be, John Lennon and George Harrison's early solo work, River Deep, Mountain High, The Teddy Bears. And all within a fifteen year time frame (1959 - 1975, although he did some inferior stuff after).

Its such a shame he lost the plot after his falling out with Lennon while they made Rock and Roll.

If Woody had gone right to the police, this would never have happened. - Capt. Haddock

[–] macktan894 11 years ago

Indeed. Spector's work will endure the times. And he's probably still making mucho dineros for it even while in prison.

[–] ascaav 11 years ago

He pulled a gun on Lennon during the recording sessions.

[–] haynese_98 11 years ago

How many record producers do people speak fondly of? They've always been snakes and they've always been hailed as "geniuses" if they produce a few hits. They let it go to their head(literally) and get away with bad behavior just because of their name.

Phil Spector is a misogynist and a murderer. Some record producer though. BIG F**!!@G DEAL.

"There is no Hollywood any more, there's just a bunch of banks"

[–] TheGoodMan19 11 years ago

What wrong with George Martin, Brian Eno, Jimmy Miller (Stones peak stuff), Glyn Johns, Jon Landau, Rick Rubin etc.

If Woody had gone right to the police, this would never have happened. - Capt. Haddock

[–] hqahtani 11 years ago

I think he has producer mixed up with manager or executive.

[–] Killingforcompany 11 years ago

He clearly suffered from a mental illness of some kind. His sister ended up in an insane asylum and his father committed suicide when he was at a young age. It doesn't excuse at all what he has done, but it makes it understandable. Despite all of the money and fame, Phil Spector was clearly troubled and tortured by some internal demons that got the best of him in the end.

[–] Flexicon 11 years ago

Genius and insanity are often next door neighbors.

[–] walking_bread 11 years ago

What a great discussion (thread)..

[–] Flexicon 11 years ago

Here's studio footage from the '70s with Phil and John Lennon recording together... yes, Phil could sing a bit and had once aspired to be a rock star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2iR54dnw5U

Strangely, John once said that he would write Phil Spector's history one day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pVnXgiG0bk

Interesting men in interesting times.

[–] SGJan81 11 years ago

Not very important, but "Be My Baby", maybe the Ronnettes biggest record, wasn't written by Spector or one of the Ronnettes, but was a re-do of an older song, done by Andy Kim. I remember hearing that one on the radio, too.

Yodi

[–] Flexicon 11 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pJeBHgYi6Q

[–] SGJan81 11 years ago

Looks like I remembered backward - but I never realized Any Kim had recorded "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You" also ! I had to skip school to see the T.N.T. Show and the T.A.M.I. Show. In 1963, the school newspaper did a survey "What Will You Be When You Grow Up?" My answer - an Ikette. "A WHAT?" "An Ikette". !!
Yodi - born into it - - -

Yodi

[–] Flexicon 11 years ago

Yes I believe Andy Kim recorded covers of those songs in 1969 and 1970 so they did originate with The Ronettes... and were written by Phil, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.