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Ronnie Spector

Ronnie Spector
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Winston Vargas, born 1943
Sitter
Veronica Yvette Bennett, 10 Aug 1943 - 12 Jan 2022
Date
c. 1961 (printed 2017)
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 33.3 × 26.7 cm (13 1/8 × 10 1/2")
Sheet: 37.3 × 30.8 cm (14 11/16 × 12 1/8")
Topic
Costume\Jewelry
Home Furnishings\Furniture
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Costume\Jewelry\Ring
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Table
Interior\Academic
Food\Beverage
Veronica Yvette Bennett: Female
Veronica Yvette Bennett: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquisition made possible through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© 2017 Winston Vargas
Object number
NPG.2017.127
Exhibition Label
Born New York City
As the lead singer of the Ronettes, Ronnie Spector found fame while fronting one of the most popular groups of the 1960s. Veronica “Ronnie” Bennett was still in high school in New York City when she recruited her older sister and cousin to form a singing trio known initially as Ronnie and the Relatives. After the underage girls bluffed their way into a long-running gig at the Peppermint Lounge in 1961, they christened themselves the Ronettes.
Success proved elusive until 1963, when an audition with producer Phil Spector led to a record contract and their first hit single, “Be My Baby.” In 1965, the Ronettes’ recording of “Walking in the Rain” claimed a Grammy nomination, and, in 1966, they opened for the Beatles during the Fab Four’s final U.S. tour. Ronnie Spector’s singing career skidded to a halt during her marriage (1968–74) to the abusive Phil Spector, resuming only after their divorce.
Nacida en la Ciudad de Nueva York
Ronnie Spector encontró la fama como vocalista principal de las Ronettes, uno de los grupos más populares de la década de 1960. Veronica “Ronnie” Bennett era aún estudiante de escuela superior en Nueva York cuando reclutó a su hermana mayor y a una prima para formar el trío de voces Ronnie and the Relatives. En 1961, todavía menores de edad, consiguieron trabajo fijo en el Peppermint Lounge y adoptaron el nombre de Ronettes.
El éxito no llegó hasta 1963, cuando una audición con el productor Phil Spector redundó en un contrato y su primer hit, “Be My Baby”. En 1965 “Walking in the Rain” les ganó una nominación al premio Grammy y en 1966 fueron el acto de apertura en la última gira de los Beatles por Estados Unidos. La carrera de Ronnie Spector se detuvo durante su matrimonio (1968–74) con Phil Spector, quien era un maltratante, pero se reanudó después del divorcio.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view