“She was filled with love and gratitude.
Veronica Yvette Bennett was born in Spanish Harlem in 1943.
After a few more singles stalled, Estelle called up producerPhil Spectorto solicit an audition for the Ronettes.
The Ronettes.R. H. Vincent/Redferns/Getty Images
The rest, as they say, is rock & roll history.
Composed by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, “Be My Baby” reached No.
2 on theBillboardHot 100.
Ronnie Spector.Jordi Vidal/Redferns
Speaking to EW in 2016, Ronnie recalled the first time she heard the completed track.
And we hear ‘Be My Baby’!
We jumped up, and we were, like, dizzy.
[Then] we went for a swim.
It was great.”
Success for the Ronettes was short-lived, though.
She finally escaped with the help of her mother in 1972 and filed for divorce in 1974.
In 1988, the Ronettes sued Spector for nonpayment of royalties.
(Phil Spectordied last year, at 80.)
