Thank you, Ronnie Spector

Having just downloaded it into my musical library, I am listening to “Be My Baby: The Very Best of the Ronettes,” and thinking how lucky I am, me and my generation.

My parent’s generation had some girl groups, the most famous being the Andrews Sisters. 

My generation — my oh my.

Some starting in the ‘50s, the girl groups exploded in the ‘60s.

The Ronettes, the Chiffons, the Shirelles, Martha and the Vandellas, the Blossoms (led by Darlene Love), the Cookies, the Shangri-Las, the Crystals, and the supreme Supremes. 

All but the Shangri-Las we’re Black, and my feeling is rock ‘n’ roll — a product of my generation — did more to integrate America, more to open white eyes to Black people — than any other force in society.

I am reminiscing now following the death of Ronnie Spector, lead singer of the Ronettes, and a powerful, breakthrough artist.

Did any group ever use the word “baby” more often, and to greater effect?

Veronica Bennett, backed by her sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley, created not just a sound, but a look.

Ronnie was not afraid to sell sex, and the trio loaded up on eyeliner, mascara, and tight dresses, their hair swept up. 

“We didn’t have a hit record to grab their attention, so we had to make an impression with our style,” Ronnie said in an interview. “We weren’t afraid to be hot. That was our gimmick.”

They were soon to have hits, most of which had a distinctive heavy drum beat, and handclaps.

Thanks for the music, Ronnie. Thanks for the memories.