Ronnie Spector (born Veronica Yvette Bennett, 10 August 1943, in New York City) was the lead singer of the 1960's girl group The Ronettes, who most famously sang Be My Baby. She is the ex-wife of producer Phil Spector. Kept a near prisoner by Phil Spector throughout her teens and 20s, she eventually left the abusive relationship to raise her son, and reestablish her languishing singing career. Many attempts fell flat; even 1976's Say Goodbye to Hollywood, written by Billy Joel and with backing from Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band, didn't take to the charts. Her 1980 album Siren, produced by Genya Ravan, featured a Ramones cover but was not a hit. In 1986 she was featured by Eddie Money on the hit single Take Me Home Tonight, singing the line "Be my baby" as part of the chorus. Her most recent album Last of the Rock Stars features work with Keith Richards, Patti Smith, the Raveonettes and others, including a cover of a Johnny Thunders song. Her previous EP She Talks to Rainbows was produced by and included a duet with Joey Ramone. In 2003, she released through her website Something's Gonna Happen, a five-song EP of Marshall Crenshaw songs recorded in 1989. Her 2006 European summer tour was postponed when her husband became ill.
