Music legend Ronnie Spector is remembering her ex-husband Phil Spector after news of the death of the music producer at the age of 81 from COVID-19, while he was serving a prison term for the murder of Lana Clarkson in 2003.
On her Instagram page, the singer, who rose to fame with the group of singers Ronettes, posted a photo of herself with Spector in the recording studio, along with a long caption detailing the ex-couple’s meteoric rise and final fall.
“It’s a sad day for music and a sad day for me,” wrote the 77-year-old star. “When I was working with Phil Spector, watching him create in the recording studio, I knew I was working with the best. He was in complete control, driving everyone. So much to love in those days. Meeting him and falling in love was like a fairy tale. The magical music that we managed to make together was inspired by our love. I loved him madly and gave him my heart and soul. “
She also alluded to the “darkness” of their relationship. Ronnie, who was married to Spector from 1968 to 1974, had previously accused her ex of threatening behavior, including pointing a gun at her and forcing her to sign a divorce agreement that allegedly cut her from future records.
“As I said many times while he was alive, he was a brilliant producer, but a terrible husband. Unfortunately, Phil was unable to live and work outside the recording studio, ”Ronnie shared. “Darkness has set in, many lives have been damaged. I still smile whenever I hear the song we did together, and I always will. The music will be forever. Phil Spector 1939-2021. “
She was not the only music legend sharing her memories of Spector. Darlene Love, who has also worked with the producer on several hits, described her abusive working relationship with Spector.
“You know, the whole thing felt like a bad marriage,” said Love Variety. “It is an abusive marriage – not just physically, but mentally. This is what Phil was trying to do to me. He wanted to control not Darlene, but the talent. “
But she also credited his role in the music industry.
“I found it very sad,” added Love. “I didn’t think about hate. I didn’t think, ‘He deserved it or it should have happened.’ I just felt that this was a sad way for him to leave this land. The more I thought about it, the sadder I became. He changed the sound of rock ‘n’ roll – I know that because Steve Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John told me that. “
In Spector’s last years, the producer was involved in even more controversy. He was convicted of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 at his Los Angeles mansion, and was sentenced to 19 years in prison after a trial that ended in 2009. Spector said Clarkson’s death was an “accidental suicide”.
After news of Spector’s death, Clarkson’s mother, Donna Clarkson, made a note about the loss of her daughter’s life.
“Lana Clarkson was a warm, compassionate, kind and loving woman who would now be 58 years old. Her energy, brilliance and love of life have supported her family since her murder, 18 years ago, in 2003, “she said in a statement on Sunday.
Several other people turned to social media to recall Clarkson’s memory, including CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who posted a photo of Clarkson in happier times. “That is literally all I have to say about Spector and his ‘legacy’,” said Tapper.
Several other people honored Clarkson’s memory in posts.
For those mourning the loss of Phil Spector, please don’t forget about my friend Lana Clarkson that he murdered. A photo I took of her in the Hollywood Hills around 1990. pic.twitter.com/mZUmKHDJy8
– Kevin Abosch (@kevinabosch) January 17, 2021
How about: ‘The killer Phil Spector died of greed.
He has already made pop music, but that has been irrelevant since he killed actress Lana Clarkson. https://t.co/WqNIPVkYSh– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 17, 2021
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