Ronnie Spector, leader of the pop group The Ronettes and powerful voice of his hits like "Be My Baby" and "Baby I love You" died of cancer at 79.
His family announced it. The singer, an icon of the 1960s, formed the all-female group in 1957 with her older sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley.
"Our beloved earthly angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer," read the family statement.
"Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a brave attitude, a spectacular sense of humor and a smile on her face."
Born Veronica Greenfield in New York on August 10, 1943, Spector was the daughter of an African-American-Cherokee mother and a father of Irish descent.
The Ronettes, the group he formed with his sister and cousin, established themselves in the Big Apple thanks to passionate love songs, before Ronnie signed in 1963 with then-legendary producer Phil Spector, whom he later married.
Vampire eyes heavily made up, very high beehive hairstyles and skirts strictly above the knee. The band marked the 60s with a long line of hits: "Baby, I Love You" and "(The Best Part of) Breakin 'Up", "Be My Baby.
They were the first female group to tour with the Beatles, opening their concerts on the 1966 tour. The trio entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
(Unioneonline / L)
