Cigar Weekly

tbateman · 02-03-2003, 01:15 PM

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Phil Spector, the record producer who built the "Wall of Sound" and produced groups from the Ronettes to the Beatles, was arrested Monday in the early-morning shooting death of a woman at his suburban home and charged with murder.

The reclusive Spector, 62, was arrested at his sprawling home in Alhambra after a report of a shooting about 5 a.m. Monday (8 a.m. ET). Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Faye Bugarin said the woman was pronounced dead at the home, which is modeled after a Pyrenean castle.

Alhambra police arrested Spector on a first-degree murder charge shortly after 6 a.m., with bail set at $1 million. No court appearance was immediately scheduled.

The victim's identity has not been released. Her body had not yet been removed from the home early Monday afternoon.

It was not clear whether the 911 call reporting the shooting came from Spector's home or a neighbor. Neighbors questioned by CNN said they had not heard a shooting.

Prominent defense attorney Robert Shapiro told CNN he is representing Spector. Shapiro was part of football star O.J. Simpson's winning legal team in Simpson's 1995 murder trial.

Attorney Marvin Mitchelson, a close friend of Spector's, told The Associated Press the producer lived alone and didn't have a girlfriend.

Mitchelson said he and Spector had been trying to put together a movie about Spector's life. "His mental state has been great -- very rational, very together," the attorney said.

'Wall of Sound' creator
Spector's trademark was the layering of instrumental tracks to produce a booming orchestral rock arrangement known as the "Wall of Sound." He called them "little symphonies for the kids."

Among his session players -- who were known as the "Wrecking Crew" -- were guitarist Glen Campbell, pianist Leon Russell, drummer Hal Blaine and the late Sonny Bono, who learned the producer's trade under Spector.

Spector produced a string of '60s hits, including the Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain," and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." He co-produced the Beatles' final album, "Let It Be," and worked with ex-Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon on solo projects -- including Lennon's song "Imagine" -- after the group broke up.

Spector married Ronettes singer Veronica Bennett in 1968, but the couple divorced in 1974.

In October, New York's state supreme court threw out a $3 million award against Spector in a lawsuit filed by his ex-wife and the other two members of the Ronettes, seeking royalties for the sale of their recordings for use in movies and commercials.

Spector's father, Benjamin, committed suicide in 1949. Spector later visited the grave and used its inscription, "To Know Him Was to Love Him," as the basis for a hit song.

Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

holyscripture · 02-03-2003, 01:47 PM

Heard it on the radio just a few minutes ago... weird with a beard.

scubadoo97 · 02-03-2003, 02:58 PM

I just saw this. I can't understand how these celebs think they are going to get away with murder.

Oh yeah, OJ.

Too bad, what a waste

Pill Man · 02-03-2003, 03:45 PM

Very strange, indeed. Back in "the day," I was really hot for Ronnie Spector. Then again... a lot in my age group were.

fvfanmc · 02-03-2003, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pill Man

Very strange, indeed. Back in "the day," I was really hot for Ronnie Spector. Then again... a lot in my age group were.

Now, she'll be able to sing all hits. Phil Spector had an injunction that kept her from singing her hits. But now that he is arrested, I am sure she could get the injunction lifted.

02-03-2003, 01:15 PM	#1
tbateman Herf Meister Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Rock Ridge Posts: 8,899	Phil Spector - Anyone catch this one? LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Phil Spector, the record producer who built the "Wall of Sound" and produced groups from the Ronettes to the Beatles, was arrested Monday in the early-morning shooting death of a woman at his suburban home and charged with murder. The reclusive Spector, 62, was arrested at his sprawling home in Alhambra after a report of a shooting about 5 a.m. Monday (8 a.m. ET). Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Faye Bugarin said the woman was pronounced dead at the home, which is modeled after a Pyrenean castle. Alhambra police arrested Spector on a first-degree murder charge shortly after 6 a.m., with bail set at $1 million. No court appearance was immediately scheduled. The victim's identity has not been released. Her body had not yet been removed from the home early Monday afternoon. It was not clear whether the 911 call reporting the shooting came from Spector's home or a neighbor. Neighbors questioned by CNN said they had not heard a shooting. Prominent defense attorney Robert Shapiro told CNN he is representing Spector. Shapiro was part of football star O.J. Simpson's winning legal team in Simpson's 1995 murder trial. Attorney Marvin Mitchelson, a close friend of Spector's, told The Associated Press the producer lived alone and didn't have a girlfriend. Mitchelson said he and Spector had been trying to put together a movie about Spector's life. "His mental state has been great -- very rational, very together," the attorney said. 'Wall of Sound' creator Spector's trademark was the layering of instrumental tracks to produce a booming orchestral rock arrangement known as the "Wall of Sound." He called them "little symphonies for the kids." Among his session players -- who were known as the "Wrecking Crew" -- were guitarist Glen Campbell, pianist Leon Russell, drummer Hal Blaine and the late Sonny Bono, who learned the producer's trade under Spector. Spector produced a string of '60s hits, including the Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain," and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." He co-produced the Beatles' final album, "Let It Be," and worked with ex-Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon on solo projects -- including Lennon's song "Imagine" -- after the group broke up. Spector married Ronettes singer Veronica Bennett in 1968, but the couple divorced in 1974. In October, New York's state supreme court threw out a $3 million award against Spector in a lawsuit filed by his ex-wife and the other two members of the Ronettes, seeking royalties for the sale of their recordings for use in movies and commercials. Spector's father, Benjamin, committed suicide in 1949. Spector later visited the grave and used its inscription, "To Know Him Was to Love Him," as the basis for a hit song. Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. __________________ Mongo only pawn... in game of life. Mongoyim - JLOH #007

02-03-2003, 01:47 PM	#2
holyscripture Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 2 Hours from the Rocky Mountains Posts: 750	Heard it on the radio just a few minutes ago... weird with a beard. __________________ The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as to seem not worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it. Bertrand Russell

02-03-2003, 03:45 PM	#4
Pill Man Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: 22 Arlington Pk., Canandaigua, NY USA Posts: 877	Very strange, indeed. Back in "the day," I was really hot for Ronnie Spector. Then again... a lot in my age group were. __________________ Doug http://home.rochester.rr.com/dougscorner/ "Oh. I had religion Lord, to this very day, but the women and whiskey, well, they would not let me pray." - Son House

02-03-2003, 02:58 PM	#3
scubadoo97 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,032	I just saw this. I can't understand how these celebs think they are going to get away with murder. Oh yeah, OJ. Too bad, what a waste