Ronnie Spector, American singer-songwriter
Veronica Yvette Greenfield (née Bennett; August 10, 1943 – January 12, 2022), known professionally by her former married name Ronnie Spector, was an American singer. Referred to as the original "bad girl of rock and roll", she was the lead singer of the girl group the Ronettes.
Ronnie formed a singing group with her elder sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley in the late 1950s. They were signed to Phil Spector's Philles label and he produced the majority of their recording output. The Ronettes had a string of hits in the 1960s, including "Be My Baby" (1963), "Baby, I Love You" (1963), "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up" (1964) and "Walking in the Rain" (1964).
After Ronnie married Phil in 1968, Ronnie temporarily retired from performing. Following their separation in 1972, she reformed the Ronettes and began performing again. In 1980, she released her debut solo album Siren. Her career revived when she was featured on Eddie Money's song "Take Me Home Tonight" in 1986. She went on to release the albums Unfinished Business (1987), Something's Gonna Happen (2003), Last of the Rock Stars (2006) and English Heart (2016). She also recorded one extended play, She Talks to Rainbows (1999).
In 1990, Ronnie Spector published a memoir, Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, Or, My Life as a Fabulous Ronette. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Ronettes in 2007.