Phil Spector, brilliant record producer behind the ‘Wall of Sound’ – and convicted murderer – obituary
A troubled figure, he produced Be My Baby by the Ronettes and John Lennon’s Imagine, but in 2009 was found guilty of murdering an actress
Phil Spector circa 1965
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives
Phil Spector, who has died from Covid-19 aged 81, was a highly gifted record producer and songwriter whose recordings in the 1960s, and later with the Beatles, revolutionised pop music, but whose talents were undermined by a mercurial temperament that would lead to him twice standing trial for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
In his heyday in the early 1960s, Spector pioneered what became known as “The Wall of Sound , producing some of the most exhilarating and uplifting recordings ever heard in pop music, including Be My Baby by the Ronettes and Da Do Ron Ron by the Crystals. In the 1970s he went on to work with the Beatles, producing John Lennon’s anthemic Imagine and
Phil Spector, “Wall of Sound” Producer Convicted of Murder, Dies at 81 Lexy Perez Music producer Phil Spector
Phil Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who later was convicted of murder, has died. He was 81.
California state prison officials said he died Saturday of natural causes at a hospital.
Spector was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 at his castle-like mansion on the edge of Los Angeles. After a trial in 2009, he was sentenced to 19 years to life.
While most sources give Spector’s birth date as 1940, it was listed as 1939 in court documents following his arrest. His lawyer subsequently confirmed that date to The Associated Press.
UpdatedSun, Jan 17, 2021 at 9:28 am PT
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In this May 23, 2005 file photo music producer Phil Spector appears during his trial in Los Angeles. Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock with his “Wall of Sound” method died Saturday at 81. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
LOS ANGELES, CA Legendary record producer and convicted murderer Phil Spector died Saturday weeks after contracting COVID-19 in a California prison. He was 81.
He produced such early 1960s hits as You ve Lost that Lovin Feelin , Unchained Melody, Spanish Harlem, Da Doo Ron Ron, Then He Kissed Me, Be My Baby, I Love How You Love Me, He s a Rebel, Only Love Can Break a Heart, the Beatles final album, Let It Be, and George Harrison s debut solo album, All Things Must Pass, among scores of other recordings.