Estelle Bennett of the Ronettes dies at 67

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Estelle Bennett, member of The Ronettes, dies



Veronica "Ronnie" Spector of "The Ronettes" appear onstage at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel March 12, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkz3hFpZ_imXUUxbYmdrE6q825OQD96AHI880

NEW YORK (AP) — Estelle Bennett, one of the Ronettes, the singing trio whose 1963 hit "Be My Baby" epitomized the famed "wall of sound" technique of its producer, Phil Spector, has died at her home in Englewood, N.J. She was 67.

Bennett's brother-in-law, Jonathan Greenfield, said police found her dead in her apartment on Wednesday after relatives had been unable to contact her. The time and cause of death have not yet been determined. Greenfield is the manager and husband of Bennett's sister, Ronettes lead singer Ronnie Spector.

The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007; its Web site hails the group as "the premier act of the girl group era." Among their admirers were the Beatles and the Rolling Stones; their exotic hairstyles and makeup are aped by Amy Winehouse.

The Ronettes — sisters Veronica "Ronnie" and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley — signed with Spector's Philles Records in 1963.

[Callalily]

1. RIP Estelle Bennet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkOXdfpvas