Their first single, 'I Want a Boy' was released under the name Ronnie and the Relatives, but their second, 'Silhouettes' (1962), became the first official Ronettes release. A further two singles appeared on Colpix, but a chance telephone call saw them signed to legendary producer Phil Spector's label.
Their first release with Spector was the ultimate pop song of the era, defined the girl-group sound, and still sounds fresh nearly 40 years later. 'Be My Baby' featured Ronnie's vulnerable, longing vocals dripping like honey over Spector's famous wall-of-sound multi-tracked production - the single was a top 5 hit on both sides of the Atlantic.
The follow-up, 'Baby, I Love You' was equally as perfect, and was later faithfully covered by the Ramones when Phil Spector produced their 'End of the Century' album.
Spector was obviously influenced by his increasing infatuation with lead vocalist 'Ronnie', saving his best work for the Ronettes despite producing and writing for many other acts. Despite this, the equally sugar coated singles that followed, including 'Walking In the Rain' and 'Is This What I Get For Loving You' were less successful.
The band halted releases when Phil Spector went into 'retirement' in the mid-'60's, but re-emerged in 1969 with 'You Came, You Saw, You Conquered' after he had resumed recording. The single was catchy enough, but some of the magic appeared to have vanished, and the Ronettes soon disappeared once more.
Ronnie left the obsessive/possessive Spector in 1973 (the full details of their deteriorating relationship are chillingly told in Ronnie's autobiography 'Be My Baby'), and signed to Buddah Records. Under the name Ronnie and the Ronettes, a single, 'Lover Lover' was released.
A solo album by Ronnie had emerged on the Beatles short-lived Apple label, and various other solo projects appeared throughout the '70's and '80's, featuring collaborations with Billy Joel, Eddie Money and Bruce Springsteen (most of which are collected on her solo compilation 'Dangerous').
The final Ronettes release was a re-recorded version of 'I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine', billed under Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes (and featuring the original line-up re-united) which emerged in 1976.
In the late '90's, Ronnie Spector made a brief comeback on Alan McGee's Creation Records in the UK, with an E.P., 'She Talks To Rainbows' which was produced by Joey Ramone, who also added backing vocals. Tracks covered on the E.P. included 'Don't Worry Baby' (originally written by Beach Boy Brian Wilson with Ronnie's voice in mind - the jealous and paranoid Phil Spector wouldn't allow her to record it at the time), Johnny Thunders' 'You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory' and the Ramone penned title track
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE THE RONETTES: The Chiffons, The Shirelles, The Shangri-La's. The Poni-Tails, The Ramones, Spacemaid, Talulah Gosh, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Johnny Thunders.