Phil Spector dead at 81: Jailed Wall of Sound producer dies of COVID after relapsing four weeks after diagnosis
- Music producer Phil Spector died from COVID-19 related complications on Saturday at the age of 81
- He was diagnosed with COVID four weeks ago and went to a hospital but recovered enough to return to jail
- He relapsed, struggled with breathing and returned to a hospital where he died
- He was serving a 19 years-to-life sentence for the murder of Lana Clarkson
- The famed musician, born in the Bronx of New York City, developed the Wall of Sound a technique dubbed the 'Wagnerian approach to rock 'n' roll'
- He wrote for artists like The Ronettes and The Crystals and produced the Beatles' 1970 Let It Be album Revolutionary music producer Phil Spector has died from COVID-19 related complications at the age of 81.
Spector was diagnosed with COVID four weeks ago and was transferred from his prison cell at California Health Care Facility in Stockton, where he was serving a 19 years-to-life sentence for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, to a hospital.
He recovered enough to return to jail but he relapsed and struggled with breathing and returned to a hospital where he died Saturday, as per TMZThe California Department of Corrections confirmed his passing and he was pronounced dead of natural causes at 6.35pm Saturday.
A medical examiner will determine his exact cause of death.
Music producer Phil Spector died Satruday from COVID-19 related complications at the age of 81. Pictured in court in February 2004 in California
Spector was diagnosed with COVID four weeks ago and was transferred from his prison cell at California Health Care Facility, where he was serving a 19 years-to-life sentence for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, to a hospital. He recovered enough to return to jail but he relapsed and struggled with breathing and returned to a hospital where he died Saturday. Spector pictured in Los Angeles court in May 2005
The famed musician, born in the Bronx of New York City, developed the Wall of Sound a technique of that has a roaring effect, dubbed the 'Wagnerian approach to rock 'n' roll,' that was popular in the '60s.
This was the first time the recording studio was used as an instrument itself. It works by having reverberating instruments and large ensembles play in unison to create a fuller, richer tone and nearly drown out vocals.
Spector was the rare self-conscious artist in rock's early years and cultivated an image of mystery and power with his dark shades and impassive expression.
Tom Wolfe declared him the 'first tycoon of teen.' Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson openly replicated his grandiose recording techniques and wide-eyed romanticism, and John Lennon called him 'the greatest record producer ever.'
Spector pictured in this mugshot dated November 19, 2019
Though musically he was often praised as a genius, he suffered from depression, drug and alcohol dependency and admitted to battling personal demons.
Spector was eight years old when his father killed himself and his mother moved their family to Los Angeles. He attended Fairfax High in 1954, where alumni included songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who would play an important role in his early career, according to Variety.
He wrote, co-wrote and produced acts for the likes of the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Ike & Tina Turner.
He started his career by producing his first hit 'To Know Him is To Love Him' for his vocal trio the Teddy Bears when he was still in high school. It went to the top of the Billboard 100 in 1958.
From there his career skyrocketed and he produced hits including 'Be My Baby' by the Ronnettes and 'He’s a Rebel' by The Crystals.
In 1970 he produced the Beatles' album Let It Be and several solo records for John Lennon and George Harrison
Ronnie Spector of the vocal trio The Ronettes with Phil Spector while recording in Los Angeles, California at Gold Star Studios in 1963. Ronnie and Phil were married from 1968 to 1974
Spector pictured center with Beatles member George Harrison (right) listening to a master of his first solo album recording, which Spector produced, above in October 1970
By the 70s he had produced 18 US Top 10 singles for various artists including Leonard Cohen, and the Ramones.
Some of his top songs include 'The Long and Winding Road' by the Beatles in 1970 and 'My Sweet Lord' by George Harrison in 1970.
Spector’s life took a darkening path in the late 70s onward.
As a freelancer he produced Leonard Cohen’s 1977 album 'Death of a Ladies' man' and during sessions he reportedly drew out a gun and pointed it at Cohen’s chest and said 'I love you Leonard' to which he replied, 'I hope so, Phil.'
His last major production was The Ramones’ 1980 album 'End of the Century.'
Spector pictured seated with The Ronettes in the 1960s
Phil Spector (in sunglasses) pictured with the Rolling Stones
Rumors emerged that the band was held hostage in the studio by Spector with a gun during recording sessions.
Three decades later the band's drummer Marky Ramone said: 'The guns were there but he had a license to carry. We could have left at any time.'
Spector did little work after the early 80s and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
In 2009, after three decades in semi-retirement, he was convicted of Clarkson's murder.t to the mouth and her teeth were found scattered over the carpet. Spector (right) said he death was an accident but he was eventually found guilty of her murder in 2009
Where the murder took place: Clarkson was found dead in Phil Spector's hill top mansion called the 'Pyrenees Castle'. The Southern France -styled gated chateau sits on two-and-a-half acres of land in Alhambra, California
In February 2003 actress Lana Clarkson was killed at Spector’s mansion in Alhambra, California.
The 40-year-old actress who starred in the cult film 'Barbarian Queen' was found dead, slumped in a chair suffering a single gunshot wound to the mouth with her broken teeth scattered across the carpet.
Spector told Esquire Magazine in July 2003 that her death was an 'accidental suicide' and she 'kissed the gun.'
In an emergency call from Spector's home, the music virtuoso can be heard saying 'I think I killed someone'.
His driver, Adriano de Souza, says he saw Spector emerge from the back of the home clutching a snub-nosed pistol, shortly after making the call.
Spector and his attorney, Roger Rosen, right, leave Los Angeles Superior Court for a break during the start of jury selection in Spectors' murder trial on March 19, 2007
An HBO docudrama has been made on the Clarkson case with Al Pacino starring as Spector
In both of his trials - the first ending in a mistrial - jurors were taken to examine the murder scene.
Spector was eventually convicted of her murder in 2009. He was supposed to be eligible for parole in 2024.
An HBO docudrama has been made on the Clarkson case with Al Pacino starring as Spector.
Spector has been married twice. He was married to Ronnie Spector, who fronted the girl group the Ronettes, from 1968 to 1974, and married his second wife Rachelle Short, in 2006.
He is survived by his wife Rachelle, and his three children adopted during his marriage to Ronnie Spector and a daughter by his ex-girlfriend Janis Zavala.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph in 2003 he admitted to battling with inner demons.
'I’m probably relatively insane. I’m my own worst enemy,' he said.
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