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.
You
The Ronettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My whole life through
And now that you're my guy
I'm gonna live and die for only you
Baby, baby now you're gonna know
All the ways I plan to thrill you so
You're gonna see
There's a lifetime love in me
You, baby
You, baby
Ooh, baby
Just for you
Woah-oh, only you
Could have made me wait this long
Wanting your kiss
But now you're really mine
I'll make up for the time you've made us miss
Baby, baby, now that it's all right
I'm gonna hug and kiss you every night
You're gonna see
That I saved all the love in me
Just for
You, baby
You, baby
Ooh, baby
Just for you
Woah-oh, only you
You, baby
You, baby
Ooh, baby
Just for you
Woah-oh, only you
Oh
You, baby
You, baby
Ooh, baby
Just for you
Woah-oh, only you
Oh
You, baby
You, baby
The Ronettes's song "You Baby" is a love song that expresses the singer's infatuation with her partner. The lyrics reflect the singer's long-term admiration for the person she is with, and her joy at finally being able to be with them. She feels that the love she has for this person is so strong that she is willing to live and die just for them. The repetition of the phrase "just for you" in the chorus emphasizes the singer's devotion to her partner.
The singer recollects how she waited for this person, wanting their kiss and waiting for them to realize her feelings towards them. The line "But now you're really mine, I'll make up for the time you've made us miss" suggests a sense of impatience that the singer might have felt during the waiting period, but she is now ready to shower him with all the love and affection she has been saving for him.
Overall, the song is a declaration of love that the singer has for her partner. The lyrics are straightforward yet nostalgic, and the music is catchy and romantic, serving as the perfect backdrop to this beautiful love story.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I've been wanting you
I have desired you for a long time
My whole life through
Since the beginning of my life
And now that you're my guy
Since you became mine
I'm gonna live and die for only you
I will devote my life to you and only you until I die
Baby, baby now you're gonna know
I am going to reveal to you now
All the ways I plan to thrill you so
All the ways I intend to excite and please you
You're gonna see
You will recognize
There's a lifetime love in me
I possess a love that will last a lifetime
Just for you, baby
Exclusively for you
You, baby
You
Ooh, baby
Oh, my love
Just for you
Exclusively for you
Woah-oh, only you
No one but you
Could have made me wait this long
No other person could have made me endure such a long wait
Wanting your kiss
Longing to be kissed by you
But now you're really mine
But now that you are truly mine
I'll make up for the time you've made us miss
I will compensate for the time we have lost due to your delay
Baby, baby, now that it's all right
Now that everything is okay
I'm gonna hug and kiss you every night
I will embrace and kiss you every night
You're gonna see
You will recognize
That I saved all the love in me
I have kept all my love for you
Just for you, baby
Exclusively for you
You, baby
You
Ooh, baby
Oh, my love
Just for you
Exclusively for you
Woah-oh, only you
No one but you
You, baby
You
You, baby
You
Ooh, baby
Oh, my love
Just for you
Exclusively for you
Woah-oh, only you
No one but you
Oh
Oh
You, baby
You
You, baby
You
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Mann, Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul DePace
Estelle was class Valedictorian in high school. (The student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony (called a valedictory). The chosen valedictorian is usually the student with the highest ranking among his/her graduating class.)
She was quiet, and loved fashion. She was constantly reading fashion magazines for ideas. In the early years, the Ronette's mothers (who were sisters) made all the dresses they wore at appearances and on-stage.
When the Ronettes began to fade in popularity, Ronnie decided to get married to Phil Spector, and Nedra already had marriage plans as well (to Scott Ross, and they are still married, living in Virginia) the Ronettes broke up in late 1968. Truth be known, Estelle was devastated. She loved her life as a Ronette, and it was very difficult for her to be excited about life going forward with out that lifestyle and excitement.
She eventually did marry...and had one child, a daughter (Toyin), who lives in Southern California.
Sadly, Estelle fought a long list of serious mental and physical illnesses in her later years. But she was able to attend the Ronette's "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" induction ceremony in New York City in 2007.
Sadly, Estelle died alone, in her New Jersey apartment in February 2009. Friends called the police to check on her when she was unresponsive to their phone calls. Sister Ronnie, and cousin Nedra both fondly remember Estelle as quiet, very well-liked by everyone who knew her, and how she always carried herself with an air of sophistication that really attracted the boys.
Yes...Estelle was sweet, and special, and we all wish she could have been with us longer. Thank you for your comment.
My Cat Alby
The Ronettes were so sweet. Beautiful. Ronnies voice is amazing. When I hear her sing I’m 14 again in the sixties. RIP Ronnie. 😔💜
fiftymerc sled
Hi..and I am the wanna be cool cat with the D.A. hairdo
workin up the courage to ask for a dance.
Николай Марковски
Амин 🙏
Michael Hughes
When I hear Ronnie sing, I feel like age 6 and 7. Also, when she got older, her voice lost nothing over the years!
D K Wahl
Nedra's acceptance speech at the rock and roll hall of fame was a total class act...she blew me away! Beautiful woman.
Николай Марковски
Амин 🙏
Robert Dry
She sure is
RicTic66
As a 8 year old English kid in the 60s, I fell in love with Nedra and made up my mind to marry her when I was older. Sadly Nedra didn't wait for me 💔, but Ronnie, Nedra and Estelle continue to be my favourite 60s girl group ever.
Michel
The sound of Ronettes is unique
I just love it
Николай Марковски
Амин 🙏