Part 2–The Ronettes: Across the Pond
Spector’s eagerness to get Ronnie, Estelle, and Nedra back into the studio after the success generated by “Be My Baby” intensified by each passing minute. Fueled by inspiration, he penned “Baby, I Love You,” a song he believed had the potential to replicate their previous triumph. In a surprising move, he made the rash decision to temporarily pull Ronnie from her scheduled appearance on Dick Clark’s “Caravan of Stars” tour, a nationwide musical journey. Their cousin Elaine took Ronnie's place.
Ronnie, Estelle, and Nedra. Illustration by J.D. Humphreys.
Back at Gold Star Studios, Ronnie recorded “Baby, I Love You” with an ensemble of exceptional talents, including Darlene Love, Sonny Bono, and Cher, who provided their harmonious backing vocals. Spector’s focus was firmly on crafting the best sound possible, and his attention seemed to bypass Nedra and Estelle. Furthermore, this strategic maneuver allowed Spector to have some quality one-on-one time with Ronnie, further cementing their relationship.
“I never told anyone this, but it’s true. Nedra and Estelle didn’t even appear on some of the records that had our name on them.”
- Ronnie
“I never told anyone this, but it’s true,” Ronnie said. “Nedra and Estelle didn’t even appear on some of the records that had our name on them.”
“Baby, I Love You” may not have soared to the same chart-topping heights as “Be My Baby” but it still rose to number 24 on the Pop chart, number 6 on the R&B chart, and number 11 in the UK.
• THE DEATH OF A PRESIDENT & SPECTOR’S FAILED RECORD •
However, behind the scenes in the early months of 1963, a new ambitious project was taking shape–one that Spector believed would be the crowning achievement of his career yet.
Spector orchestrated a musical symphony by uniting an array of artists from Philles Records roster, culminating in the creation of a holiday album, A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records. Yet, as the release date, November 23, 1963, approached, it unknowingly hurtled toward a cataclysmic collision with one of the most tragic events in American history–the assassination of President Kennedy.
LISTEN TO “FROSTY THE SNOWMAN” BY THE RONETTES
The seismic shockwaves of this tragedy reverberated throughout the nation, casting a somber veil over the collective mood of the people. Sadly, this unprecedented event left Spector’s magnum opus in its wake, resulting in a heartbreaking failure for the record as the nation grappled with the profound grief that had befallen it.
“After that, people were too depressed to even look at a Rock & Roll record,” Ronnie recalled. “And they stayed that way until well into the New Year of 1964, when — thank God — four long-haired English guys finally got them to go back into the record stores.”
• THE UK TOUR •
The Ronettes, basking in the glow of their record success in the UK, embarked on an incredible journey that set them apart from all other girl groups. They hit the road, sharing stages with both the iconic Rolling Stones and the Beatles, a distinction that no other girl group could claim at the time. This extraordinary opportunity opened doors to a world of adventure and unexpected connections.
While in tour in January 1964, Ronnie’s path intersected with Beatle John Lennon. Their connection deepened as they spent time together, and it wasn’t far-fetched to imagine a potentially serious relationship blossoming between them. The chemistry was obvious, but a haunting reminder of Phil Spector back home prevented the relationship from getting too serious. Nonetheless, this marked the beginning of a lifelong relationship between Ronnie and Lennon, a bond that endured until his untimely passing.
“I fell in love with Ronnie Bennett... she was twenty years old and she was extraordinary, to hear, to look at, to be with.”
- Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones
Also, while on tour in the UK, the Ronettes opened for the Rolling Stones. “I fell in love with Ronnie Bennett... she was twenty years old and she was extraordinary, to hear, to look at, to be with,” remarked Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.
During the tour, Ronnie had to get to the bottom of why the Stones were giving them such a standoffish demeanor. Ronnie approached their manager Andrew Oldham for an explanation. He informed her that Spector had sent a telegram demanding an embargo on conversation between two iconic musical forces. “Yes, we did date them,” Oldham said. “Yes, there may have been a telegram from Phil Spector going, ‘Stay away from my girls.’” Spector grew even more insecure and tightened his chokehold, a tension that could be felt even from across the pond.
The Beatles. Illustration by J.D. Humphreys
“It all had to be kept very quiet... She [Ronnie] had to be in her room all the time in case Phil called,” Richards said. “And I think he got a whiff that Ronnie and I were getting on, and he would call people and tell them to stop Ronnie seeing anybody else after the show. Mick had cottoned to her sister Estelle, who was not so tightly chaperoned.”
As the tour continued, Spector made a memorable appearance at the end of January, bringing with him a fresh musical creation for the Ronettes. Their rehearsal venue, the Strand, witnessed an electrifying scene as they fine-tuned “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up.” Spector’s enthusiasm bubbled over, resulting in ecstatic shouts and vigorous bouncing on the bed like a child with the front desk staff who kindly reminded them to keep down the noise.
“Phil never came out and said it, but I could tell he didn’t like the idea of us spending too much time with the Beatles,” Ronnie said. “I don’t think his ego could stand the competition.” In a few short days, the world was on the brink of the historic U.S. tour launch by the sensational Beatles. Amid the buzz and excitement, Beatrice Bennett, Ronnie and Estelle’s mother, had an intriguing idea to enhance the Ronettes’ visibility: an invitation for them to join the Fab Four on their chartered flight. It was a move that promised good publicity as they disembarked the plane. However, Spector, never one to follow the conventional path, did not take on the idea. Instead, he had a different strategy in mind–he would follow the Beatles off the plane with the media eagerly anticipating their first-ever glimpse of the British sensations on American soil.
“Phil had found a way to squeeze into the Beatles’ spotlight, and he wasn’t about to share it with anybody — not even us.”
- Ronnie
“I wanted to strangle him!” Ronnie recalls. “We couldn’t fly back with the Beatles, but there he was, standing in front of all the cameras after the Beatles got off their plane. Phil had found a way to squeeze into the Beatles’ spotlight, and he wasn’t about to share it with anybody — not even us. That’s when I first realized how badly Phil really wanted to be a star himself.”
• PHIL’S CHOKEHOLD ON RONNIE •
The year 1964 proved to be a meteoric rise for the Ronettes. Their song “Baby, I Love You” remained in the charts, while three additional songs were in the Top 40 that year: “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up,” “Do I Love You,” and “Walking in the Rain.” The trio’s calendar was filled to the brim with live performances, and their star was undeniably ascending.
LISTEN TO “(THE BEST PART OF) BREAKIN’ UP” BY THE RONETTES
LISTEN TO “WALKING IN THE RAIN” BY THE RONETTES
Behind the scenes, however, the dynamics were shifting. Spector’s possessiveness over Ronnie was escalating, reaching a point where his fits of jealousy were triggered by something as simple as her grabbing a meal with Sonny Bono or leaving the studio without informing him first. To add a further layer of complexity, Spector was a married man already as pointed out by Darlene Love, leaving Ronnie feeling confused as to how to navigate the complexity of their relationship. Confronting Spector on this issue felt like a career-ending gamble, so she made the conscious decision to feign ignorance about his marital status and pretend she never heard of his wife.
In late 1964, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica, the debut studio album was created. It managed to secure a modest spot at number 96 on the Billboard charts and it became abundantly clear that Estelle and Nedra were seemingly casted as afterthoughts.
“I hated pushing for the next record and the feeling of failure if we didn’t get it.”
- Nedra
“I hated the ‘dog-eat-dog’ side of show business,” Nedra recalled in 1982 in an interview. “I hated pushing for the next record and the feeling of failure if we didn’t get it. There was a continual demand on us to produce that I thought was unfair. My personality didn’t like that.”
The Ronettes found themselves in a gradual decline months after “Walking in the Rain.” Despite releasing a series of songs that either occupied modest chart positions or remained uncharted, the Ronettes continued to shine in the realm of live performances, where their magnetic stage presence kept them in high demand.
When the Ronettes recorded “Chapel of Love” they practically begged for Spector to release it. He was notorious for completing singles, often after the exhaustion of the artist, and then locking them away in his musical vault. In a surprising twist, he decided to entrust “Chapel of Love” to the Dixie Cups for a spring 1964 release. Darlene Love had also recorded the song just for it to be vaulted.
LISTEN TO “CHAPEL OF LOVE” BY THE RONETTES
LISTEN TO “CHAPEL OF LOVE” BY THE DIXIE CUPS
By the time the Ronettes’ version saw the light of day later that year, the Dixie Cups had already claimed the accolades and fame. Spector’s behavior was growing increasingly erratic, his focus laser-sharp on the Ronettes. Fed up, Darlene Love and the Crystals left Philles and moved to United Artists.
Rumors swirled that Spector, afraid of being overshadowed, withheld the Ronettes’ recordings. This strategic maneuver allowed other girl groups, such as the Supremes, to emerge as the dominant force in 1964, ultimately becoming the most popular girl group of that era.
• THE DECLINE OF THE RONETTES •
The years 1965 and 1966 proved challenging for the Ronettes, their career dwindling. Then, as the Beatles embarked on a historic 14-city tour across the United States in 1966, Ronnie found herself facing a heartbreaking ultimatum from Spector: “them or me.” Left with no choice, she stayed behind, almost captive in their California mansion, while her cousin Elaine filled in once again.
In the midst of it all, Spector transformed into somewhat of a hermit, adding an intriguing layer to this captivating chapter in Ronettes’ tumultuous journey.
“One guy actually had an orgasm right in front of the stage!”
- Ronnie
The Ronettes performed in Germany in 1966 for GIs. Playing to a packed mess hall, Ronnie recalls, “The guys were packed in like French fries. But they loved it. Our dancing always drove the guys a little crazy, but we had no idea what a powerful effect it could have on a roomful of men who weren’t having sex. One guy actually had an orgasm right in front of the stage!”
The tour in Germany marked the bittersweet culmination of the Ronettes’ journey. By 1967, the writing was on the wall–their chart-topping days had waned, and changes were on the horizon. Nedra yearned for a quieter life, eager to embrace matrimony and settle down. Simultaneously, Spector and Ronnie also tied the knot and this began a dark period in Ronnie’s professional and personal life, as her visits to the recording studio became rare and fleeting. Intriguingly, admidst this blackout, Estelle and Ronnie lent their unmistakable voices as backing vocalists in 1969, contributing to “Earth Blues” by Jimi Hendix and earning rightful recognition on the record Rainbow Bridge.
LISTEN TO “EARTH BLUES” BY JIMI HENDRIX
It wasn’t until 1972, when the divorce papers were signed, that Ronnie found herself at the dawn of a new era, a fresh start for her career, untethered from both the Ronettes and the chokehold of Phil Spector.