Composed of Veronica Bennett, later known by her stage name Ronnie Spector (1943-2022), her sister Estelle Bennett (1941-2009) and their cousin Nedra Talley (b. 1946), The Ronettes debuted in 1957 under the name Darling Sisters. The R&B, pop, soul and doo-wop trio first signed a contract with Colpix Records, produced by Stu Phillips. But success was not forthcoming, and the group signed with Philles Records, working with producer Phil Spector. With him, The Ronettes scored a string of hits, including "Be My Baby" (#2 in the U.S. in 1963), "Baby, I Love You" (#24 in 1963), "The Best Part of Breakin' Up" (#39 in 1964), "Do I Love You?" (#34 in 1964), "Walking in the Rain" (#23 in 1964), "Born to Be Together" (#52 in 1965) and "Is This What I Get for Loving You?" (#75 in 1965). They released only one album, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica in 1964 (no. 96), during which time The Ronettes toured the UK, opening for The Rolling Stones. Two years later, at the height of the British Invasion, they opened for The Beatles in the United States. The Ronettes, who also occasionally welcomed other members such as Elaine Mayes, Chip Fields, Denise Edwards and Diane Linton, finally broke up in 1967, while Ronnie Spector, who married the producer in 1968, launched a solo career with a debut album the following year, You Came, You Saw, You Conquered, but credited as "The Ronettes featuring the Voice of Veronica". Despite a short-lived attempt to reform in the 1970s, the trio failed to survive the toxic relationship between Ronnie Spector and Phil Spector. Their divorce was finally finalized in 1974, two years after their separation. The Ronettes took the producer to court in 1988 for non-payment of royalties, claiming nearly $10 million. In the early 2000s, however, they won far less. The group is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Estelle Bennett died of cancer two years later, on February 11, 2009, in Englewood, New Jersey (USA). The same disease took the life of Ronnie Spector on January 12, 2022, at the age of 78.
