The Ronettes were a girl group of the 1960s from New York City, best known … Read Full Bio ↴The Ronettes were a girl group of the 1960s from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. They consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett (a.k.a. Ronnie Spector), her sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. Their defining album is "Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica" from 1963, and their most famous songs include "Be My Baby", "Baby, I Love You", "(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up", and "Walking in the Rain".

The group's career:
Sisters Estelle (born 1941) and Veronica Bennett (born 1943), and their cousin Nedra Talley (born 1946), began singing together as teenagers in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Encouraged by their grandmother, they entered and won a talent show at the Apollo Theatre in 1959, as The Darling Sisters. Phillip Halikus saw their potential, became their manager, and promoted their early appearances at hops and charity shows.

In 1961, while standing in line at the Peppermint Lounge, they were mistaken for a singing trio that had not arrived and were ushered on stage. After performing Ray Charles' "What'd I Say", they were signed to appear regularly there and in Miami. Later that year, they danced in shows staged by disc jockey Murray the K, but, contrary to many sources, did not appear in the 1961 film Twist Around the Clock. They did get a record deal with the Colpix label, and, as Ronnie & the Relatives, released their first single "I Want a Boy". They also worked as backing singers for Bobby Rydell, Del Shannon, and Joey Dee & The Starliters. Renamed as The Ronettes, they issued several more singles with Colpix and recorded an album, unissued at the time, but had little early commercial success.

In 1963 they came to the attention of producer Phil Spector, who was looking for a new girl group to assume The Crystals' mantle. He was taken with Ronnie's voice and style, and signed The Ronettes to his Philles label. As Spector's new protégées, they were given a strong image as "bad girls", with beehive hairdos, heavy eyeliner, and tight skirts. Their first Philles single was "Be My Baby", co-written by Spector with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, and arranged and produced by Spector. It became a worldwide hit, reaching # 2 on the U.S. pop chart, # 4 on the R&B chart, and # 4 on the UK chart. The follow-up, "Baby, I Love You", had an even denser arrangement, featuring Leon Russell on piano, and backing vocals from Darlene Love and Cher, among others. It was slightly less successful, reaching # 24 in the United States and # 11 in the United Kingdom. The Ronettes also featured on Spector's album "A Christmas Gift for You".

Early in 1964 The Ronettes toured England with The Rolling Stones and met The Beatles. They continued to have hits with "(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up" (# 39 U.S., # 43 UK), "Do I Love You?" (# 34 U.S., # 35 UK), and "Walking in the Rain" (# 24 U.S.), which won a Grammy for Best Sound Effects, the only one Spector ever received. However, their LP, "Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica", only reached # 96 and other singles were less successful; musical tastes had moved beyond the girl group sound, and the Ronettes were unable to maintain their relevance. After criss-crossing the United States and Canada as one of the opening acts for the final concert tour of The Beatles, they disbanded at the end of 1966.

Later events:
Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley each married and, in 1968, Ronnie Bennett married Phil Spector and retired from performance for several years. In 1971, under Spector's direction, Ronnie recorded "Try Some, Buy Some" for the Beatles' Apple label. This was her last charting record, reaching # 77 in the spring of 1971.

In 1973, as she and Spector were about to divorce, she returned to performing at Richard Nader's "Rock and Roll Revival" show at Madison Square Garden. Her new version of The Ronettes at that time included Denise Edwards and Chip Fields, and they issued two singles on the Buddah label.

In 1988, the original Ronettes sued Spector for nonpayment of royalties. In 2001, a New York court announced a verdict in favor of the Ronettes, ordering Spector to pay nearly three million dollars in back royalties; however, the judgment was later overturned on appeal. On February 11, 2009 Estelle Bennett was found dead at her home in Englewood, New Jersey. She was 67.

Awards and recognition:
The Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.

It was believed that Phil Spector, in his capacity as a member of the Board of Governors, deliberately prevented the Ronettes (and Darlene Love) from being nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although they had been eligible for a considerable period. The alleged reasons included the acrimonious divorce of Ronnie and Spector, in addition to the group having (unsuccessfully) sued Spector for back royalties. While Spector was awaiting trial on a murder charge and out on $1 million bail, the Ronettes were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the March 12, 2007, induction ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Keith Richards, a self-confessed longtime fan, inducted the trio. Ronnie Bennett (Spector) and Nedra Talley performed "Baby, I Love You," "Walking In the Rain" and "Be My Baby." Estelle Bennett was present to accept her award but did not perform.

Everything Under The Sun
The Ronettes Lyrics

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If there′s anymore living to live
The life that's left in me
I′m ready to give

And if there's anything
More i can do
Then tell me now my love
I'll do it for you

′Cause your my everything
Everything under the sun
You′re my everything
Heaven and earth rolled in one
And if i can't you, i want nothing at all

′Cause you're my (everything)
I do believe in (my everything)
The air i′m breathing (my everything)
Under the sun whoaaaa

Now i see the world I waited for
I see it throught your eyes Not like before
Everywhere i go, all that i see
United this until, you go to me

'Cause you′re my everything
Everything under the sun
You're my everything
Heaven and earth rolled in one

And if i can't you, i want nothing at all
′Cause you′re my (everything)
I do believe in (my everything)
The air i'm breathing (my everything)
Under the sun whoaaa
Everything
Everything
Everything under the sun
You′re my everything
Heaven and earth rolled in one
You're my everything

Everything under the sun
You′re my everything

Overall Meaning

The Ronettes' song "Everything Under The Sun" expresses a profound love that serves as the center of the singer's world. The lyrics tell of the singer's desire to fully give themselves to their lover and to do anything possible to make them happy. They declare that their lover is their everything, and without them, they want nothing at all. The singer's life and the air they breathe are all wrapped up in their lover.

Throughout the song, the singer describes a newfound perspective on the world, which they share with their lover. They see the world differently now that they have someone to share it with, and they know that their love will keep them united. The repetition of the phrase "You're my everything" emphasizes the depth and power of the singer's love, which encompasses all aspects of their existence. The chorus suggests that the singer's love is otherworldly, creating a sense of completeness that is almost divine.

Overall, "Everything Under The Sun" is a testament to the all-encompassing power of love. The lyrics paint a portrait of a love that transcends the material world and brings a sense of fullness and meaning to the singer's life.

Line by Line Meaning

If there′s anymore living to live
If there's any remaining life to be lived

The life that's left in me
Whatever life I have left

I′m ready to give
I will give it all

And if there's anything
If there is something more

More i can do
That I can do

Then tell me now my love
Please let me know

I'll do it for you
I will do it for you

′Cause your my everything
Because you are everything to me

Everything under the sun
Everything that exists

You′re my everything
You are my entire world

Heaven and earth rolled in one
You encompass everything, including heaven and earth