The Ronettes

- Origin: New York City, New York
- Years Active: 1960-1966
- [http: //www.google.com/musica?aid=Hp1ukvGFO3D Discography]
- Members: Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett (later changed to Ronnie Spector), Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley

The Ronettes were an all female music group from the 1960s. Along with The Supremes, they were major figures in the Girl Group trend. The group had a huge hit with "Be My Baby" and toured with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones before breaking up in 1966.
On February 11, 2009, Ronette member Estelle Bennett was found dead in her apartment, by family members who were were worried when they couldn't reach her. Time and cause of death was not as yet known.Guardian: Ronettes singer Estelle Bennett dies (February 13, 2009)
History

The Bennett sisters were raised in New York City, of African-American, Irish and Native American heritage. They began performing with their cousin, Nedra Talley, in 1959, but weren't commercially successful until their collaboration with Phil Spector in 1963. Spector used the vocal group as a vehicle for his "Wall of Sound" production techniques, and the group performed many songs by the husband-and-wife songwriting team Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. The results can be heard in such influential pop singles as "Be My Baby," "Baby I Love You" and "I Can Hear Music." The band split up in 1966 and Ronnie went on to a solo career, as well as an ill-fated marriage to Phil Spector.
Legacy

Although their music was mainstream pop, the Ronettes have been taken more and more seriously by musicians and critics throughout the decades. Aside from Phil Spector's epic production, Ronnie's unique vocal stylings and sensitive bad-girl image have been influential in their own right, inspiring such acts as The Ramones, Joan Jett, The Raveonettes, Elvis Costello and many others.