The Ronettes were a girl group of the 1960s from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. They consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett (a.k.a. Ronnie Spector), her sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. Their defining album is Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica from 1963, and their most famous songs include "Be My Baby", "Baby I Love You", "(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up", and "(Walking) In the Rain". After a hiatus in the middle of the 60s, the Ronettes (and Spector) re-emerged without much of a popular reaction; musical tastes had moved beyond the girl group sound, and the Ronettes were unable to maintain their relevance. They disbanded in 1966 after criss-crossing the United States and Canada that summer as one of the opening acts for the final concert tour of The Beatles. Ronnie Spector married Phil Spector in 1968, then launched a solo career after divorcing him in 1973.
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Awards and recognition
The Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. It was believed that Phil Spector, in his capacity as a member of the Board of Governors, deliberately prevented the Ronettes (and Darlene Love) from being nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although they had been eligible for a considerable period. The alleged reasons included the acrimonious divorce of Ronnie and Spector, in addition to the group having (unsuccessfully) sued Spector for back royalties. While Spector was awaiting trial on a murder charge and out on $1 million bail, the Ronettes were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the March 12, 2007, induction ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Keith Richards, a self-confessed longtime fan, inducted the trio. Ronnie Bennett (Spector) and Nedra Talley performed "Baby I Love You," "(Walking) In the Rain" and "Be My Baby." Estelle Bennett was present to accept her award but did not perform.
Trivia
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- Ronnette is the name of one of the girl group-inspired street urchin characters in the musical Little Shop of Horrors, along with Chiffon and Crystal.
- Ronnie Spector accompanied Eddie Money on the 1986 hit song "Take Me Home Tonight".
- It has been erroneously reported in many rock reference books, rock encyclopedias and People magazine that the Ronettes appeared in the 1961 film Twist Around the Clock. The Ronettes toured with Clay Cole and his Twist-a-rama revue in 1962; Clay Cole was featured in the twist film.
- In an interview, the Danish band The Raveonettes stated that their name is "a complete direct reference to The Ronettes and Buddy Holly Rave On."[1]
- The band We Are Scientists have covered the song "Be My Baby", which can be found on b-sides album Crap Attack. [2]
External links
- The Ronettes at All Music Guide
- 'The Ronettes' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page
- Ronettes' Profits Limited by 1963 Contract, New York Law Journal, October 21, 2002
- "Doris to Darlene", a new play opening Fall 2007 Off-Broadway, tells the story of a biracial school girl who is molded into a pop star by a whiz-kid record producer- Ronettes inspired story and sound
References
- ^ Interview with The Raveonettes, David Shankbone, Wikinews, October 16, 2007
- ^ Crap Attack Album, By We Are Scientists
| List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees |
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| 2007 |
| Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five | R.E.M. | The Ronettes | Patti Smith | Van Halen |
