American singer Ronnie Spector, leader of the band “The Runes”, best known for his performance in the 1960s song “Be My Baby”, was pronounced dead at the age of 78 by his family on Wednesday.
“Our love angel Ronnie passed away peacefully today (Wednesday) after a short battle with cancer,” the family said in a statement.
The statement added: “Rooney has lived his life with the brightness in his eyes, his spirited personality, his sense of humor and the smile on his face.”
Ronnie Spector, whose real name is Veronica Greenfield, was born on August 10, 1943 in New York to Spanish Harlem, an Native American black mother and Irish father. He co-founded “The Runes” with his sister Estelle Bennett and his cousin Nitra Daly.
In 1963 he signed with contractor Bill Specter, who later became Rooney’s husband.
Because of the sheer costumes and hairstyles of its members, the band released hit songs, especially “Baby I Love You” and “(The Best Part Off) Breaking Up” in the early sixties of the twentieth century. “Be My Baby” was used in films such as “Main Streets” by Martin Scorsese (1973) and “Dirty Dancing” (1987).
Along with “The Supremes”, “The Runes” was one of the most popular bands of the time, and the only female band to tour with the Beatles in 1966.
Runes divorced in 1967, and Ronnie married Bill Specter, one of the most important producers in rock and roll history the following year, who was jailed in 2009 for murder.
After returning to the band, Ronnie Spector continued his solo career and collaborated with artists such as Eddie Money and Bruce Springsteen.
He co-starred with Keith Richards and Patty Smith on the 2006 album “The Last of the Rock Stars”.
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