Former music producer and convicted murderer Phil Spector passed away from COVID-19 at 81 years old.
The Wall of Sound creator Phil Spector was diagnosed with Covid-19 nearly four weeks ago while serving a life sentence for the murder of Lana Clarkson.
After making a recovery, Spector was discharged from hospital, however, his condition worsened upon return. The producer ultimately died from complications with the virus.
Spector was considered a rock music pioneer, helping to reinvent pop of the ’60s. The producer worked with artists such as The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Ray Peterson, and The Crystals.
His most memorable work included Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals), Be My Baby (The Ronettes), Today I Met, the Boy I’m Gonna Marry (Darlene Love) and Let it Be (The Beatles).
Spector was also credited for developing the Wall of Sound recording technique in the ’60s, created by multiple musicians reverberating instruments in unison – resulting in the sound that could be re-recorded in an echo chamber.
For those mourning the loss of Phil Spector, please don’t forget my friend Lana Clarkson he murdered. A photo I took of her in the Hollywood Hills circa 1990. pic.twitter.com/mZUmKHDJy8
— Kevin Abosch (@kevinabosch) January 17, 2021
Despite his legendary reputation and induction into the Roll & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, Spector shot his career to the dark on a path of heavy drinking and gunplay.
In February 2003, he met hostess Lana Clarkson at the House of Blues. Clarkson was killed by a shot to the mouth from Spector’s gun two hours later at his Los Angeles home. Although Spector defended his innocence stating that Clarkson shot herself in an unexplainable suicide, he was charged with second-degree murder in 2009.
Spector was known for carrying a gun on his person prior to the murder, having it in recording booths when he worked. He was also reported to have fired a shot during an intense recording session with John Lennon.
John Lennon had a totally normal experience working with Phil Spector. pic.twitter.com/eZnegZuKWq
— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) January 17, 2021
Ex-wife and former frontwoman of The Ronettes, Ronnie Spector, released a statement on Instagram this morning commenting on Spector’s death. She spoke with admiralty on the time spent with Spector in the recording studio: “he was in complete control, directing everyone… unfortunately Phil was not able to live and function outside of the recording studio.”
“He was a brilliant producer, but a lousy husband… many lives were damaged,” she said.
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Ronnie puts it wisely when she stated that she still smiles on the music Spector created, despite the darkness that he fell into.
RIP Phil Spector. A genius irredeemably conflicted, he was the ultimate example of the Art always being better than the Artist, having made some of the greatest records in history based on the salvation of love while remaining incapable of giving or receiving love his whole life.
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) January 17, 2021
