The Ronettes' Be My Baby Singer Died At The Age Of 78.

Ronnie Spector, the pioneering lead singer of the Ronettes, a 1960s all-girl ensemble, has died.

With classics like Be My Baby, Baby I Love You, and Walking in the Rain, the pop artist rose to popularity.

Her family released a statement saying she died at the age of 78 "after a brief fight with cancer."

According to the statement, "Ronnie lived her life with a glint in her eye, a sassy attitude, a wicked sense of humour, and a smile on her face."

"She was overflowing with thanks and affection. All who knew, heard, or saw her will remember her cheerful sound, humorous personality, and beautiful presence."

Born in 1943 in Manhattan as Veronica Yvette Bennett, she rocketed to stardom aged barely 18 while performing alongside her older sister and cousin.

From The Rolling Stones to The Beatles, Spector's singing style affected them all.

While performing in New York bars, the multi-racial trio drew the eye of record producers with their beehive haircuts and heavy application of mascara.

She married Phil Spector, the inventor of the "wall of sound" recording technique, in 1968. Before their divorce, they were married for six years and had three children together.

Be My Baby, Walking In The Rain, and Baby I Love You were all recorded while he was in charge of the group.

He was, nevertheless, violent and abusive. Phil placed a coffin in the basement of their house, according to Spector's memoir, to warn the singer that if she left him, he would kill her. She ran away from their house barefoot in 1972.

Later, the Ronnettes filed a lawsuit against the producer for unpaid royalties. While serving a murder term, he died in prison in 2021.