Ronnie’s family confirmed the pop legend’s passing earlier today, announcing that she had been suffering from cancer.
The Ronettes were one of the most influential and recognisable girl groups of the 1960s with Ronnie and her incomparable vocals at the forefront of the band.
The singer’s family announced her death on Ronnie’s official website earlier today.
“Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer. She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan.
“Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was filled with love and gratitude. Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her.
“In lieu of flowers, Ronnie requested that donations be made to your local women’s shelter or to the American Indian College Fund.”
The Ronnettes were an American band made up of Ronnie, her older sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley.
The girl group formed in 1957 and blew up in the early to mid-60s with hit songs like Be My Baby and Walking in the Rain.
Ronnie was referred to as the original “bad girl of rock ‘n’ roll” because she and her band did everything differently.
“The Ronettes were so different from most girl groups,” Ronnie said in an interview with i-D Vice.
“We had interracial parents, long hair. We wore slits up the side, like the Chinese dresses. I remember groups like The Shirelles and The Chiffons would come out with these flared skirts and we would come out in skin tight dresses. We didn’t have a hit record at the time but the guys went nuts over us more than the groups that did! Girls too. And I loved that.”
When it really came down to it, Ronnie was anything but bad, she charmed her way through the hearts of American’s and fans all over the world.
We can expect to see a bucket load of tributes to the star that changed the history of music. Her family closed their statement by saying “A celebration of Ronnie’s life and music will be announced in the future. The family respectfully asks for privacy at this time.”
