Ronnie Spector, the lead vocalist of the 1960s pop group The Ronettes, passed away on Wednesday after a battle with cancer. She was 78.
Spector’s family announced the news in a statement on the singer’s official website.
“Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer. She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan,” the family wrote. “Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was filled with love and gratitude. Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her.”
Spector rose to fame in the early ’60s alongside her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley as the Ronettes. Ronnie sang lead on most songs from the group’s first and only album, 1964’s Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, which produced a string of hits with “Baby, I Love You,” “Walking in the Rain,” “I Can Hear Music” and “Be My Baby.”
After the Ronettes disbanded in 1967, Ronnie would go on to release five solo albums: Siren (1980), Unfinished Business (1987), Something’s Gonna Happen (2003), Last of the Rock Stars (2006), and English Heart (2016).
Spector is survived by her husband, Jonathan Greenfield, and two sons, Jason and Austin.
