EP 135: Ronnie Spector

Explicit content warning

06/11/20 • 94 min

This week's episode is based on the autobiography of Ronnie Spector: Be My Baby- How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness or My Life as a Fabulous Ronnette.

Ever since Ronnie was a baby, she was singing for people on the subway. Growing up in a musical household, Ronnie would perform with her sister, cousins, aunts and uncles every weekend. Ronnie knew that show business was her destiny, and that music was the only thing she ever wanted to do.

Ronnie, her sister Estelle and their cousin Nedra formed the Ronnettes and performing in New York, and perfecting their live show until they knew it was time that the Ronnettes had to make a record.

Searching for the perfect producer, the Ronnettes reached out to Phil Spector who agreed to record them immediately. Phil knew how to write a song for Ronnie's voice and his famous wall of sound made "Be My Baby" an instant hit, and an all time classic. However, while Ronnie's dream of becoming a famous singer was coming true, her home life and relationship with Phil was becoming a nightmare.

In this story of survival, Ronnie tells the tale of rising to the top of the charts with the Ronnettes, having the Rolling Stones on tour as their opening act, meeting and developing a special friendship with the Beatles and how she was ultimately able to get free from Phil Spector to find her voice again.

Songs in this episode:

Why Do Fools Fall in Love by Frankie Lymon

Maybe by The Chantels

What'd I Say? by Ray Charles

Be My Baby by the Ronnettes

You Mean so much to Me by Johnny and the Ashbury Dukes

Take me Home Tonight by Eddie Money

To subscribe to our Patreon Page head to https://www.patreon.com/musespodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is based on the autobiography of Ronnie Spector: Be My Baby- How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness or My Life as a Fabulous Ronnette.

Ronnie, her sister Estelle and their cousin Nedra formed the Ronnettes and performing in New York, and perfecting their live show until they knew it was time that the Ronnettes had to make a record.

Songs in this episode:

Why Do Fools Fall in Love by Frankie Lymon

Maybe by The Chantels

What'd I Say? by Ray Charles

Be My Baby by the Ronnettes

You Mean so much to Me by Johnny and the Ashbury Dukes

Take me Home Tonight by Eddie Money

To subscribe to our Patreon Page head to https://www.patreon.com/musespodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

EP 132: Sharon Osbourne

While some may think it was Ozzy who introduced Sharon to the world of rock n roll truth is she was partying with the animals long before the Prince of Darkness entered the picture.

Daughter of infamous music manager turned gangster Don Arden, Sharon entered the family business as a teen and soon became her fathers right hand man helping to manage bands such as ELO and Black Sabbath.

When Sabbath fired frontman Ozzy Osbourne for his drug and alcohol addiction, Sharon stood by his side and took over his management, helping to build one of the most successful solo careers of all-time while also falling deeply in love.

While they're love affair has stood the test of time it was certainly not always smooth sailing. Years of addiction and extremely violent behaviour marred their private life, but the pair always managed to pull through the worst of it and will be celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary this summer.

Whether you love them or hate them one thing is for sure, Sharon and Ozzy are pure rock n roll.

Make sure to purchase your copy of Sharon Osbourne's memoir Extreme where ever books are sold.

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Next Episode

EP 133: Karrine Steffans

This week the Muses share the story of Karrine Steffans, author of the memoir Confessions of a Video Vixen.

From day one Karrine's life was an uphill battle. By 20 she had survived an abusive mother, a brutal rape, a violent husband, homelessness and single motherhood. Breaking free from her past, Karrine moved to LA, hoping for a better life for her and her son.

In no time at all Karrine was at the center of the Hip Hop scene, dating legendary rappers such as Ice-T, Method Man, Ja Rule and more. She was also making a name for herself as one of the industry's top "Music Video Vixens", dancing in videos for artists such as Jay-Z, Mystikal, and Xzibit. But life was anything but a party. Tune in to hear how Karrine turned her darkest days into the fuel that made her fight for her future.

You can purchase Karrine's book Confessions of a Video Vixen, as well as her others where ever books are sold.

Make sure to also check out our interview with Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip Hop.

Your daily reminder to dismantle white supremacy with Nicole Cardoza https://www.antiracismdaily.com/

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