By Javier Cisneros
Ronnie Spector, the singer and founder of the legendary group The Ronettes, died Wednesday of cancer at age 78 in Connecticut, her family said in a statement.
Ronnie, born and baptized as Veronica Yvette Bernett, will be remembered along with her group for their two main hits: “Be my baby” and “Baby I love you,” covered by groups of all styles for decades.
The Ronettes, one of the most famous “girl groups” in vogue in the sixties and seventies and born in the New York neighborhood of Harlem, was formed in 1957 by Ronnie, her sister Esthelle and her cousin Nedra Talley.
They owe much of their fame to their association with the famous Phil Spector, authentic King Midas of pop music, who married Ronnie (hence her married name) in a marriage that lasted until 1972.
“Our beloved earthly angel, Ronnie, left this world today after a brief battle with cancer. She was (accompanied) by her family, and, in the arms of her husband, Jonathan,” said in a statement the family, who asked for privacy at this time and promised “a celebration of Ronni’s life and music to be announced at a later date.”
The family declared that Ronnie asked if people wanted to honor her, instead of flowers make donations to local women’s shelters or the American Indian College Fund.
“Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor, and a smile on her face,” the family concludes.
With information from EFE.
