Ronnie Spector

 

Ronnie Spector

by Pete Clemons

Sadly, during January 2022, the extraordinary Ronnie Spector passed away. During December 2019 Ronnie gave what was to be one of her last shows in Coventry. It was at the Warwick Arts Centre and it was a Christmas concert. Due to the pandemic and lock-down restrictions she would perform very few times after.

But at her Arts Centre gig she gave us huge hits like 'Baby I Love You' and 'Be My Baby'. Additionally she performed seasonal songs like 'Frosty the Snow Man' and 'It's Christmas Once Again'. She also included a few of her own personal favourites such as Ray Charles' 'What'd I Say', 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart' and a stunning version of Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black'.

Legend has it that it was a flash of fate that was responsible for launching one of the most successful female singing groups of the 1960s. The then 19 year old Estelle Bennett picked up the phone to call a magazine editor. But, instead, she got the wrong number.

She had accidentally called record producer Phil Spector who said 'sorry you've got the wrong number. You say you're The Ronettes?. Great, it so happens I'm looking for a group to provide some backing sounds on a Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans disc. Why don't you three come over'. The rest, as they say, was history.

The other two thirds of the group were Ronnie Bennett, sister of Estelle and Nedra Talley, a cousin of the others. The two families living, at one time, in the same house where they would rehearse and sharpen up those incredible natural harmonies.

The Ronettes worked hard and developed a decent stage act. And then during January 1964 The Ronettes came to the UK for a tour. During one of her first interviews Estelle mentioned that 'America was getting all hotted up over the arrival of The Beatles. I think they'll do great there. They're exciting. Reckon you can fix for us to meet them?.And we dig Cliff Richard too'.
The tour itself took in around 20 dates up and down the country including The Coventry Theatre. Local newspaper, The Coventry Telegraph, announced it like this:

Freddie and the Dreamers are the main attraction in the Sunday concert at the Coventry Theatre this weekend and The Ronettes are featured as guest stars. Others on the bill are The Rolling Stones, The Barron Knights featuring Duke D'Mond, Patrick Dane and the Quiet Five and The Cheynes. The following week the attraction will be Chris Barber's Jazz Band with Ottilie Patterson.

The Shades, a British group, were due to back The Ronettes on this tour.

While over here The Ronettes would occasionally break away from the main tour to headline several of their own gigs. One of those was at the Co-op Hall in Nuneaton. A coup for promoter Reg Calvert. Again the Coventry Telegraph heralded the forthcoming concert:

Reg Calvert presents, this Friday, America's sensational recording stars The Ronettes with their smash hit 'Be My Baby', along with Carl and the Cheetahs and The Stormbirds. Tickets 7/6.

Incredible days I think you will agree.