When conversations arise about legends in Rock and Roll, music enthusiasts immediately name The Beatles and The Rolling Stones as some of the greatest Rock and Roll artists of all time. While their ranking isn’t flawed, another name deserves mention for their immense contribution to the foundation of the genre. That name is Ronnie Spector, famously known as the “Original Bad Girl of Rock and Roll.”

Spector, born Veronica Yvette Greenfield, had a career spanning over forty years with a spectrum of hits, including “Be My Baby,” “Walking in the Rain,” “Baby, I Love You,” and others—proving that she was a force to be reckoned with. Alongside her fellow members, Nedra Talley and Estelle Bennett, she formed the girl group originally called The Darling Sisters, later renamed The Ronettes.

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Emerging in the 1950s, the Ronettes started out performing at school events, the Peppermint Lounge, and a nightclub in Manhattan before releasing their chart-topping hit record, “Be My Baby” —a song that the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson described as the greatest record ever produced—along with a slew of other records before parting ways a few years later. After their split, Ronnie Spector experienced some turbulent years and struggled to release another major hit. However, despite these challenges, she never stopped making music.

That resilience and determination to stay true to one’s art, regardless of commercial success, is one reason why she deserves to be celebrated, and her discography needs to be more widely recognized. With a Ronnie Spector biopic, Be My Baby, in the works—directed by Barry Jenkins and starring Zendaya—fans of the rock and roll icon can expect an in-depth portrayal of her life. However, before the Jenkins-directed film hits cinemas, it is essential to reflect on the legacy of the “Be My Baby” crooner.

Getting the Ronettes Together

Before forming the Ronettes, Spector began singing professionally in high school. With a supportive family that encouraged her to sing, she formed the Darling Sisters group with her sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Telly. After signing to Phil Spector’s Philles Records, they changed their name to the Ronettes, marking a pivotal moment in their career that shaped their overall trajectory. The group’s achievements showed that Spector wasn’t only a talented singer but also a visionary who recognized the power of collaboration. When “Be My Baby” began topping charts in the 60s, it was clear that the group was poised to set a tread and break gender stereotypes in the music industry. They weren’t just a singing group; they were powerful women that acknowledged the power in their voice and used them to tell stories of love, heartbreak, longing, and pain.

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With challenges ranging from the group disbanding to struggling to release records and albums that matched the success of “Be My Baby”, Phil Spector keeping some of their unreleased records in a vault and stopping Spector from performing, and the decade-long court battle with him, the Ronettes certainly faced numerous roadblock. However, in 2004, they joined the Vocal Group Hall of Hall, and three years later, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their contributions to Rock and Roll were significant to the genre’s growth and to music as a whole.

While giving her acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Spector said, “When we performed live, I always said we weren’t better, we were just different,” emphasising that the group’s superpower lay in their unique ability to be different in sound, fashion, performance, delivery, and impact. Similarly, Nedra Talley, another member of the group, reflected on how they never knew the extent to which their music would influence future generations. Unknowingly, the Ronettes left a lasting impact on musicians like John Lennon, Billy Joel, and Amy Winehouse. Winehouse’s final album, Back to Black, was also inspired by the Ronettes and other 1960s girl groups, further reinforcing Talley’s point about the group’s unawareness of their enduring influence.

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Ronnie Spector’s Solo Career

After her marriage to Spector, he stopped her from performing and recording with the other members of the group. In 1971, she released her debut solo single which peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A year later, she reformed the Ronettes as Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes with new members Chip Fields Hurd and Diane Linton. Together, they released several records that failed to chart, marking the beginning of Ronnie’s struggle to recapture mainstream success and attention. However, that didn’t deter her from releasing music, as she continued to collaborate and tour with other musicians, including Southside Johnny, Bruce Springsteen, and most notably, Eddie Money. Her appearance on Money’s “Take Me Home Tonight” helped boost her radio airplay. Additionally, the Ronnie Spector Christmas Party was a popular seasonal event, drawing audiences all over New York. She went on to release other albums, including She Talks to Rainbows, Last of the Rockstars, Best Christmas Ever, and English Heart. Success or not, Ronnie continued making music unapologetically.

Her career extended beyond music, as she also released a memoir, Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, Or, My Life as a Fabulous Ronette. The book was named by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest rock biographies of all time, cementing her brilliance as an all-round creative. Aside from her impressive discography, she was a major inspiration for Amy Winehouse, who emulated her hair and vocal style.

The Ronnie Spector Upcoming Biopic

Before her death in 2022, Spector hand-picked American actress Zendaya to portray her in the biopic "Be My Baby". With the award-winning director Barry Jenkins set to direct the film, Dave Kajganich writing the original screenplay, and A24 producing it, the biopic is expected to provide cinephiles with an extensive portrayal of Spector’s life. According to reports, the film will explore the rise of the Ronettes, Ronnie’s struggle with alcoholism, and her life with her ex-husband and former producer, Phil Spector. Other cast members have not been revealed yet.

What this biopic means for Spector’s legacy will be its clear account of how “Be My Baby” was made, the turbulent union between Ronnie and Spector, and how she fought to return to music. The biopic will be a raw and emotional cinematic experience, depicting how she survived the psychological trauma inflicted on her by Spector. It is a relevant film in today’s world, where femicide is on the rise and women remain victims of abuse while their abusers  receive lighter sentences or aren’t prosecuted. The film is currently in production.