Phil Spector, the legendary music producer who ended his life imprisoned for murder, has died at the age of 81. Spector was pronounced deceased of natural causes last night at an outside hospital.
The man famously turned music producers as a role into a key figure in the creation of albums. Spector’s signature ‘Wall of Sound’ production style led to a lucrative run of hits in the 1960s with acts like Darlene Love, The Crystals, The Righteous Brothers and The Ronettes.
Notable songs made under his tenure include “He’s a Rebel,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,” “Be My Baby,” “Imagine,” “Unchained Melody,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” and “Baby I Love You” with many of these used in many films over the decades since.
His work influenced contemporaries like the Brian Wilson and Bruce Springsteen, while he had strong creative relationships with two ex-Beatles. However he did little work after the early 1980s as tales of increasingly erratic and violent behaviour emerged.
In 2003 he was arrested after actress Lana Clarkson was found shot to death in his home. After a 2007 mistrial, Spector was re-tried in 2009 and convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to nearly twenty years in prison.
Spector is survived by his wife Rachelle and four children.
Source: Variety
