The Ronettes

The Ronettes were an American girl group from Washington Heights, Manhattan, New-York. The group consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector), her older sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. They began singing together as teenagers, initially known as "The Darling Sisters". The trio of glamorous young women from Spanish Harlem exemplified the Girl Group ideal, exuding both youthful innocence and worldly sensuality.

Early Career and The Rise to Stardom

The group started singing together during childhood visits to their grandmother's home and won a talent show at the Apollo Theater in 1959. In 1961, they were hired as dancers at the Peppermint Lounge in New York, which led to a record deal with Colpix Records. After a series of unsuccessful singles, they signed with Phil Spector's Philles Records in March 1963 and changed their name to "The Ronettes".

Collaboration with Phil Spector and Hits

Working with producer Phil Spector, The Ronettes became the ideal vehicle for his innovative "Wall of Sound" production techniques. Their first hit under Spector was "Be My Baby" in 1963, which became a massive success. This was followed by a string of other hits, including "Baby, I Love You", "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up", and the Grammy Award-winning "Walking in the Rain". In 1964, they released their only studio album, "Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica". The group's success led them to tour the UK with The Rolling Stones as their opening act and later open for The Beatles on their 1966 US tour.

Breakup and Later Years

The Ronettes officially disbanded in 1967 due to changing musical tastes and Spector's controlling behavior. In 1968, Ronnie Bennett married Phil Spector, a union that was tumultuous and ended in divorce in 1974. During their marriage, Phil Spector was reportedly abusive and kept Ronnie a virtual prisoner in their mansion. After the divorce, Ronnie Spector attempted to revive The Ronettes with new members, but the venture was not successful, leading her to embark on a solo career. She experienced a resurgence in popularity in 1986 with her feature on Eddie Money's hit "Take Me Home Tonight".

Legacy and Influence

The Ronettes left a significant mark on music and fashion, with their style influencing artists like Amy Winehouse. "Be My Baby" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Their blend of sweet and sexy vocals with Spector's powerful sound created a timeless catalog of teen classics.