Music legend Ronnie Spector remembers her ex-husband Phil Spector following the news of the music producer’s death at the age of 81 from COVID-19 when he was serving a prison sentence for the 2003 murder of Lana Clarkson.
On her Instagram page, the singer, who gained notoriety with the singing group the Ronettes, posted a flashback photo of her with Spector in the recording studio, along with a long caption showing the meteoric rise of the former couple and eventual outline doom.
“It’s a sad day for music and a sad day for me,” the 77-year-old star wrote. “When I worked with Phil Spector and when he saw him create in the recording studio, I knew I was working with the very best. He was in full control and led everyone. So much to love about those days. Meeting him and falling in love was like a fairy tale. The magical music we were able to make together was inspired by our love. I kept him crazy and gave my heart and soul to him. ”
She also referred to the ‘darkness’ of their relationship. Ronnie, who had been married to Spector from 1968 to 1974, had earlier accused her ex of making threats, including by pulling a gun on her and forcing her to sign a divorce agreement that allegedly earned her from future records.
‘As I have said many times while he was alive, he was a brilliant producer, but a bad man. “Unfortunately, Phil could not live outside the recording studio,” Ronnie shared. ‘Darkness has dawned, many lives have been damaged. I still smile when I hear the music we made together and will always do. The music will last forever. Phil Spector 1939-2021. ”
She was not the only music legend to share her memories of Spector. Darlene Love, who also worked with the producer on several hit songs, described her abusive working relationship with Spector.
“You know, the whole thing was like a bad marriage,” Love said. Variety. ‘It’s a marriage that was abusive – not just physically but also mentally. That’s what Phil tried to do to me. He did not want to control Darlene, but the talent. ”
But she also acknowledges her role in the music industry.
“I felt it was very sad,” Love added. “I did not think of hatred. I did not think, ‘He deserved it, otherwise it must have happened.’ I just felt like it was a sad way to leave this earth. The more I thought about it, the sadder I became. He changed the sound of rock ‘n’ roll – the reason I know it is because Steve Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John told me that. ”
In the later years of Spector, the producer was embroiled in even more controversy. He was convicted of the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson in his Los Angeles mansion, and was sentenced to 19 years in prison after a 2009 trial. Spector maintained that Clarkson’s death was an ‘accidental suicide’.
Following the 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, loving woman who would now be 58 years old. “Her energy, clarity and love for life have maintained her family since her murder 18 years ago in 2003,” she said in a statement on Sunday.
Several other people took to social media to remember Clarkson’s memory, including CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who posted a photo of Clarkson in happier times. “That’s literally all I have to say about Spector and his ‘legacy,'” Tapper said.
Several other people have honored Clarkson’s memory in reports.
For those mourning the loss of Phil Spector, do not forget my friend Lana Clarkson who killed him. A photo I took of her in the Hollywood Hills around 1990. pic.twitter.com/mZUmKHDJy8
Kevin Abosch @kevinabosch 17 January 2021
What about: ‘Killer Phil Spector is dead to covid.
He once made pop music, but it’s been irrelevant since he killed actress Lana Clarkson. ‘https://t.co/WqNIPVkYSh– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) 17 January 2021
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