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Ronnie Spector

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Ronnie Spector, posing in 1971 Jack Kay/Getty Images hide caption

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How Ronnie Spector and 'Be My Baby' became a pop-culture sound of sex in 1987

January 13, 2022 • Twice in the same year, the song "Be My Baby" — featuring the voice of Ronnie Spector, who died this week — became the sound that signaled something memorably, indelibly sexy.

Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes has died at age 78

Singer Ronnie Spector performs in 2017 in Anaheim, Calif. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM hide caption

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Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM

Music

Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes has died at age 78

January 12, 2022 • Spector had suffered from cancer. She recorded a string of pop hits in the 1960s including "Walking In The Rain" and "Be My Baby."

Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes has died at age 78

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It's Time To Recognize The Ronettes As Rock And Roll Pioneers

Through the way the group constructed its sound and look, The Ronettes embodied proto-rock transgressions. Fred Mott/Getty Images hide caption

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Fred Mott/Getty Images

Music

It's Time To Recognize The Ronettes As Rock And Roll Pioneers

March 12, 2018 • History tends to remember some innovations over others — and The Ronettes, in particular, have been remembered as pop singers, with their rock and roll sensibilities railroaded out of their image.

Songs We Love: Ronnie Spector, 'I'd Much Rather Be With The Girls'

Ronnie Spector. Debra Greenfield/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Debra Greenfield/Courtesy of the artist

Songs We Love

Songs We Love: Ronnie Spector, 'I'd Much Rather Be With The Girls'

April 4, 2016 • It was originally written for The Rolling Stones and has made its way through several covers, but Spector's big, sexy, sweet-and-tough voice brings this song home.

03I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls

2:49

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Song
I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls
Album
English Heart
Artist
Ronnie Spector
Label
429 Records
Released
2016

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On Ronnie Spector's New Album, Don't Let Her Be Misunderstood

Ronnie Spector's new album, English Heart, is filled with British hits from the 1960s. Ruven Afanador/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ruven Afanador/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

On Ronnie Spector's New Album, Don't Let Her Be Misunderstood

April 2, 2016 • You might know her as the leader of The Ronettes, but Spector has seen and done a lot since the days of "Baby, I Love You." Her new album, English Heart, is filled with British hits from the 1960s.

On Ronnie Spector's New Album, Don't Let Her Be Misunderstood

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Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes has died at age 78

03I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls

Buy Featured Music

On Ronnie Spector's New Album, Don't Let Her Be Misunderstood