Remembering Estelle Bennett Of The Ronettes

"Be My Baby" is one of the greatest and most influential pop songs of all time. Whether you're a wall of sound fanatic or have fond memories associated with Dirty Dancing, you've inevitably had days where you just couldn't stop humming the song.

Though The Ronettes are primarily remembered for Ronnie Spector's voice and big bad Phil's production-work, Ronnie's sister Estelle contributed a lot more to the group than back-up vocals. "She was very much into fashion and worked with Ronnie on the whole look and style of The Ronettes," Bennett's brother-in-law told Billboard. Next to the Supremes' polished charm-school presentation, the trios bad-girl beehive image became iconic. In fact, Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad makeover, which arguably helped cement her place as a household name, owes heaps to these gals' for paving the way.

After The Ronettes went their separate ways in 1966, Estelle Bennett shied away from the spotlight, making few public appearances. When the group was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, she refused to perform and only chimed in two sentences for the acceptance speech--"I would just like to say, thank you very much for giving us this award. I'm Estelle of the Ronettes, thank you."

Having reached the end of her journey this past Wednesday February 11th, let us take a moment to thank Estelle Bennett for taking part in a group that significantly influenced modern pop-music and fashion. At the age of 67, she's gone all too soon, but her legacy will surely live on.

Latest Headlines: Rant: Stop Defending Chris Brown The Setty Smooth Challenge: Are You Smooth Enough? 51st Grammy Award Winners Pearl Jam Hits Up The Studio CD Review: The BPA's I Think We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat Super Bowl Half Time: Bruce Springsteen Always Rocks, Never Ages Super Bowl: How Will Bruce Do? Every Song is About Heroin

---

blog comments powered by Disqus