The Ronettes

The Ronettes

Company type	Girl group
Industry	Music
Founded	1957
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Products	Music recordings, singles, albums

The Ronettes () were a prominent American girl group hailing from Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City. The ensemble consisted of lead vocalist Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector), her sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. Initially performing under the name "The Darling Sisters," they signed with Colpix Records in 1961 before transitioning to Phil Spector's Philles Records in 1963 and adopting the name "The Ronettes."

They achieved nine entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with six tracks breaking into the Top 40. Their most successful single was "Be My Baby" which peaked at No. 2, alongside hits such as "Baby, I Love You", "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up", and "Walking in the Rain." Their only studio album, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, came out in 1964. That same year, they supported the Rolling Stones on their UK tour and later became the sole girl group to open for the Beatles during their 1966 US tour. The Ronettes disbanded in 1967 but briefly reunited in the 1970s under the name Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes. Veronica Bennett married Phil Spector in 1968.

In 1999, "Be My Baby" was honored with induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone placed their album at No. 422 on its list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The Ronettes were inducted into both the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Notably, they hold the record for the longest interval between top-ten hits on Billboard charts, spanning over 58 years.

Formation and early years

Originating as a family musical act in Washington Heights, Manhattan, The Ronettes comprised sisters Estelle and Veronica Bennett alongside their cousin Nedra Talley. They began performing together during childhood at their grandmother's residence. Their mixed heritage included African-American, Cherokee, Irish-American, Puerto Rican, and Chinese roots. Ronnie Spector recalled that they developed their vocal harmonies early on; Estelle took dance lessons while Ronnie drew inspiration from Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.

In 1957, Ronnie established the group that would evolve into The Ronettes. Early lineups included cousins Diane, Elaine, and Ira. They performed locally and auditioned for Colpix Records producer Stu Phillips in 1961. Their initial singles released as "Ronnie and the Relatives," such as "I Want a Boy" and "I'm Gonna Quit While I'm Ahead," did not achieve chart success.

A turning point occurred when they appeared as dancers at New York’s Peppermint Lounge during the twist dance craze of 1961. After being mistaken for another act, they performed onstage spontaneously and soon became a regular feature there, earning $10 nightly. It was during this period that they adopted the name The Ronettes.

In 1962, Colpix issued two singles credited to The Ronettes—"Silhouettes" and a re-release of "I'm Gonna Quit While I'm Ahead"—both of which failed to gain commercial traction. That year also saw them opening a Florida branch of The Peppermint Lounge and performing at Murray the K's concerts in New York City. Their distinctive look—marked by bold eye makeup and voluminous teased hairstyles—contributed to their rising popularity. Following the lackluster performance of their last Colpix single "Good Girls" in 1963, they began seeking new recording opportunities.

Ascendancy with Phil Spector

At the beginning of 1963, discontented with their limited achievements under Colpix Records, Estelle reached out to producer Phil Spector to arrange an audition for the Ronettes. Impressed by their talent, Spector secured a contract for the group with his label Philles Records by March 1963, following discussions with their mother.

The initial track the Ronettes recorded under Spector's guidance was "Why Don't They Let Us Fall in Love", though it was never officially issued. Additionally, they recorded renditions of songs such as "The Twist" and "Mashed Potato Time", which were released but credited to the Crystals.

Their major breakthrough arrived with "Be My Baby," captured in July 1963 and released the following month. The single soared into the Top 10, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Top 100 chart, propelling the Ronettes onto national tours including Dick Clark's "Caravan of Stars". This hit influenced musicians such as Brian Wilson, who composed "Don't Worry Baby" as a tribute.

Significantly, "Be My Baby" was the first recording to feature Cher, who provided backing vocals alongside Estelle, Nedra, and Sonny Bono. Cher continued as a frequent backup vocalist on Phil Spector's productions until "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'".

Building on this momentum, Spector co-wrote "Baby, I Love You" with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Due to scheduling conflicts from touring, Ronnie laid down vocals in California with alternate backing singers. Released in November 1963, it reached number 24 on the Pop chart and number 6 on the R&B chart in the U.S., as well as number 11 in the UK.

The Ronettes contributed three songs to Phil Spector's Christmas compilation A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. Although its initial release coincided with President Kennedy's assassination leading to poor sales, it later gained significant commercial success following a reissue in 1972.

In January 1964, while touring the UK, the Ronettes attracted attention from prominent artists including the Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Keith Richards. Richards later reflected that his relationship with Ronnie was a pivotal influence.

Back in America, they recorded "Keep on Dancing" and "Girls Can Tell," though these tracks were not released. Their April 1964 single "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up" reached the Billboard Top 40 but did not replicate earlier chart success. The follow-up single "Do I Love You?" released in June showed slight improvement.

Despite the British Invasion dominating 1964, the Ronettes sustained visibility through television appearances on programs like Shindig!, American Bandstand, and Britain's Ready, Steady, Go!. John Lennon extended an invitation for them to join the Beatles on their U.S. tour in February 1964; however, Spector declined.

During summer 1964, Ronnie recorded "Walking in the Rain," notable for its innovative incorporation of thunder sound effects. This track became their most successful release since "Be My Baby," peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Late that year, Philles Records issued their debut studio album titled Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica. Although it only reached number 96 on Billboard, it represented a strategic move by highlighting lead vocalist Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett; subsequent singles credited her as a featured artist.

Decline, final performances and breakup

After the success of "Walking in the Rain," the Ronettes experienced a downturn in their popularity. In February 1965, Philles Records issued "Born to Be Together," which reached only number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100. Throughout the following year, the group recorded multiple tracks that Phil Spector chose not to release, possibly due to his growing insecurities and increasingly complex relationship with Ronnie. It is believed that Spector feared the Ronettes might eclipse his own prominence, leading to several unreleased recordings despite contractual commitments. This situation allowed Motown's the Supremes to emerge as the foremost female group of that era.

Among the unreleased songs were "Paradise," "Everything Under the Sun," and "I Wish I Never Saw the Sun Shine," which were later interpreted by artists including the Shangri-Las, the Supremes, and Ike & Tina Turner. Additionally, Spector declined to issue "Chapel of Love," initially recorded by the Ronettes in early 1964; by the time it was eventually released, the Dixie Cups had already turned it into a hit.

In June 1965, their single "Is This What I Get For Loving You?" managed to reach only number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 but gained some visibility through appearances on TV programs such as Hullabaloo, Hollywood A Go-Go, and Shivaree. The Ronettes were unable to secure another Top 10 hit while the Supremes maintained chart success with songs like "Back in My Arms Again." Some attribute this decline in part to Spector's inadequate promotion efforts, influenced by his personal involvement with Ronnie.

Tensions within the group also surfaced. As lead vocalist, Ronnie received preferential treatment from Spector, which caused resentment from Nedra and Estelle. Nedra Talley voiced her dissatisfaction with the demands of show business, a factor that contributed to her decision to marry Scott Ross.

Following their June 1965 single, more than a year passed before releasing new material. "I Can Hear Music", produced by Jeff Barry and released in October 1966, barely charted at number 100 for a single week. The song later achieved greater success when covered by the Beach Boys.

After "Be My Baby," the Ronettes headlined several Murray the K Holiday Shows and toured across the United States and England. Although they had no recent hits by late 1965, they continued performing in nightclubs, appearing on television, gracing magazine covers, and featured in The Big TNT Show, a concert film produced by Spector.

In August 1966, they joined a fourteen-city US tour alongside the Beatles. When Ronnie wished to accompany Estelle and Nedra on tour, Spector refused and kept her in California; her cousin Elaine took her place on stage while Nedra or Estelle handled lead vocals during performances. A November 1966 Ebony photograph depicted Nedra singing lead with Estelle and Elaine providing harmonies.

Following the conclusion of their Beatles tour in early 1967 and after "I Can Hear Music" underperformed commercially, the Ronettes toured West Germany before ultimately agreeing to disband. Subsequently, Nedra married Scott Ross, Ronnie wed Phil Spector, and Estelle settled down with her longtime partner Joe Dong.

Ronnie later recounted feeling isolated by Spector at their California residence, recording only once during their marriage: "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered!" in early 1969 at A&M Records. Released in March 1969, it failed to gain traction amid changing radio preferences favoring artists such as Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. Later that year, Ronnie and Estelle contributed backing vocals for Jimi Hendrix's "Earth Blues," earning credits on his Rainbow Bridge album.

Reunions and legal action against Spector

Ronnie separated from Phil Spector on June 12, 1972, with their divorce finalized two years later in 1974. In an effort to rejuvenate her career, she reassembled the Ronettes, substituting Nedra—who declined to rejoin—and Estelle—unable to participate due to mental health issues—with Chip Fields and Denise Edwards. The group recorded for Buddah Records in 1973, including a rendition of "I Wish I Never Saw the Sun Shine," a track originally unreleased by Phil Spector. This phase with Buddah Records failed to achieve commercial success, leading Ronnie to embark on a solo career by 1975.

In 1988, the original members of the Ronettes initiated a $10 million lawsuit against Phil Spector concerning unpaid royalties and licensing revenues. After a protracted legal struggle lasting ten years, the court mandated in 2000 that Spector pay over $2.6 million. Despite multiple appeals by Spector, the appellate court in 2001 upheld that he breached his 1963 contract; however, subsequent rulings confirmed his absolute ownership rights over the recordings based on contract provisions. Earlier judgments granting the Ronettes industry-standard royalty rates were overturned, yet Ronnie was affirmed to be entitled to her share of royalties despite relinquishing rights in her 1974 divorce agreement. The royalty claims of the other members remained uncontested.

In 2017, Ronnie Spector issued "Love Power" credited to Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes, marking the first new single from the group in many years.

Deaths

Estelle Bennett passed away on February 11, 2009, at age 67 in Englewood, New Jersey, succumbing to colon cancer. Ronnie died on January 12, 2022, aged 78, following a brief fight with cancer. Nedra Talley is the sole surviving founding member of the trio.

Awards and recognition

The Ronettes earned a Grammy nomination in 1965 for their song "Walking in the Rain" and were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "Be My Baby" in 1999. They were honored by induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and later entered the People's Hall of Rock and Roll Legends in 2010. Their artistic impact influenced musicians such as Brian Wilson, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen; British artist Amy Winehouse notably adopted elements of their signature style.

Phil Spector, serving as a Board of Governors member, reportedly obstructed the Ronettes’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction for several years by contending that only Ronnie appeared on their recordings. Nonetheless, they were ultimately inducted on March 12, 2007, at New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones presented the award. Ronnie and Nedra performed several of their major hits during the ceremony; Estelle accepted the honor but did not perform due to health reasons, with Tricia Scotti stepping in as backup vocalist.

Group members

Core lineup

• Veronica Bennett
• Estelle Bennett
• Nedra Talley

Discography

• Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes (1964)

External links

• The Ronettes at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame