Chapter 8: River Deep Summary and Analysis

Phil Spector catches the Ike and Tina Turner show one night. Spector is the boy genius in the musical world in the sixties. He produced the Crystals, Darlene Love and the Righteous Brothers. Specter's hallmark is his over-inflated studio band—three guitars, two pianos, two bases, etc. Specter's approach to musical recordings became know as his wall of sound. Spector is intrigued by Tina's singing talent and the unusual quality of her voice. He wants her to record a song titled "River Deep-Mountain High." Darlene Love wants to record it but Spector only wants Tina. Tina will be paid $25,000 for recording the song—a huge amount at the time. One caveat to the arrangements—Spector will not allow Ike in studio during rehearsals or recordings.

Tina rehearses at Spector's house for weeks until he...