The recording studio wizard Phil Spector passes at age 81 from COVID-related complications – Listen to 10 of his essential studio masterpieces
There are cases that the end of man’s life should not define or obliterate his legacy and talent. Aside of the controversies and scandals that surrounds his personal life, it is undeniable the influence and contribution that the creator of the “Wall of Sound” gave to music, producing and sometimes co-writing songs for artists such as The Ronettes, Ike and Tina Turner, The Beatles, John Lennon and the Ramones among others. Phil Spector has passed at age 81 while serving a sentence for murder, but here, we remember his precious bold legacy to music.
The recording studio wizard Phil Spector passes at age 81 from COVID-related complications – Listen to 10 of his essential studio masterpieces
Born on December 26, 1939 in The Bronx, New York, Phil Spector came to prominence during the 1960’s when he created the studio recording technique that was named as “Wall of Sound”. During that era, Spector produced and in some cases co-wrote a string of hits to artists such as Ben E. King, The Crystals, The Ronettes, Ike and Tina Turner and The Righteous Brothers among many others. During the 1970’s he was also the official producer of The Beatles last album released in 1970, “Let It Be”, despite the fact that the band wasn’t happy with his work and Spector even “hijacked” the master tapes after they asked him to abandon the project. He was the only producer aside of George Martin, to be given credit for producing The Beatles. Later in 1971, he produced John Lennon’s solo album “Imagine”, which turned out much better, with Spector applying his recording techniques in order to give the album an unique sound signature. He also produced among others George Harrison and the Ramones. Spector’s career reached a possible end in 2009 when he was convicted of murder in the second degree of his wife Lana Clarkson, who Spector accidentally murdered in 2003. Spector passed away last Saturday January 16th, at age 81 while serving a 19 years sentence, but here we will focus on the producer and studio wizard, and look back at five of his essential production masterpieces that left a bold mark in the history of music.
10 – Baby, I Love You by the Ramones, 1980 (Produced and co-written by Phil Spector)
9 – Da Doo Ron Ron by The Crystals, 1963 (Produced and co-written by Phil Spector)
8 – Instant Karma by John Lennon, 1970
7 – My Sweet Lord by George Harrison, 1970
6 – The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles, 1970
5 – Then He Kissed Me by The Crystals, 1963 (Produced and co-written by Phil Spector)
4 – Imagine by John Lennon, 1971
3 – River Deep – Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner, 1966 (Produced and co-written by Phil Spector)
2 – Be My Baby by The Ronettes, 1964 (Produced and co-written by Phil Spector)
1 – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ by The Righteous Brothers, 1964 (Produced and co-written by Phil Spector)
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