Brian WilsonGene Simmons and Kathy Valentine are among those paying tribute to “iconic” US musician Ronnie Spector following her death aged 78.
The Ronettes singer’s famous friends described her as a “special person” and said her spirit would “live on forever”.
Spector, who was known for such 1960s hits as Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking In The Rain, died on Wednesday after a brief battle with cancer, her family said.
I just heard the news about Ronnie Spector and I don’t know what to say. I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend. This just breaks my heart. Ronnie’s music and spirit will live forever.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 12, 2022
Love & Mercy, Brianhttps://t.co/dXZKTMWv8a
Beach Boys co-founder Wilson, who reportedly became obsessed with Be My Baby, said he was heartbroken by the news.
“I just heard the news about Ronnie Spector and I don’t know what to say,” he tweeted.
“I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend. This just breaks my heart.
“Ronnie’s music and spirit will live forever.”
Remembering Spector, Kiss bassist Simmons said: “RIP Ronnie Spector.
RIP Ronnie Spector. The iconic voice of the Ronettes.I was proud to have spent some time with Ronnie at A&M Studios, listening to her tell stories about the early years of rock ‘n roll. She will be missed. https://t.co/nKgJxT45cw
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) January 13, 2022
“The iconic voice of the Ronettes.
“I was proud to have spent some time with Ronnie at A&M Studios, listening to her tell stories about the early years of rock ‘n roll. She will be missed.”
Go-Go’s bassist Valentine thanked Spector for being “so freaking cool”.
this totally blows. fuck cancer. RIP the legend Ronnie Spector. Thank you for the music, for being so freaking cool. pic.twitter.com/RqKEWsZtrL
— Kathy Valentine (@Kathy_Valentine) January 13, 2022
“This totally blows. f*** cancer,” she said.
“RIP the legend Ronnie Spector. Thank you for the music, for being so freaking cool”.
Lord Of The Rings actor Elijah Wood tweeted: “Farewell, legend and music icon Ronnie Spector.
“I imagine Be My Baby will play on repeat across the globe today”.
Farewell, legend and music icon Ronnie Spector. I imagine Be My Baby will play on repeat across the globe today. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/mJKCjJ3yBx
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) January 12, 2022
Spector’s band The Ronettes, famous for their striking looks and powerful voices, were one of the premier acts of the girl-group era, touring England with the Rolling Stones and befriending the Beatles.
Her family said she had lived her life with “a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humour and a smile on her face”.
She is survived by her husband, Jonathan Greenfield, and two sons, Jason and Austin.
