Nedra Talley Ross, Last Ronette, Passes Away

0:00On April 27, Nedra Tally Ross, the last surviving member of the 60s grow group The Ronets, passed away at 80 years old. She sang back up on massive hits, like Be My Baby, alongside her cousin's Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett. Her daughter shared the news on social media, saying it happened around 8.30 a morning at home, surrounded by family. The group blew up in 1963 after linking with producer Phil Spector, dropping tracks that defined the wall of sound era. They landed on that classic Christmas gift for you album, and scored a top 10 hit with Slayride. Be My Baby got played millions of times on Radio and TV, popping up in movies like dirty dancing. Fans and peers always raved about their raw power. Keith Richards called their voices unstoppable, even through Spector's massive production. They opened for the Rolling Stones on a UK tour in 1964, and backed the Beatles on their final U.S. run in 1966, where Nedra even took lead vocals.

1:02After the band split in 1967, Nedra stepped away for family life, marriage to a DJ, and her Christian faith. She dropped a solo gospel album in 1978, got into real estate, and fought long legal battles with Spector over royalties though. They mostly lost in court. Now with Ronnie Gone in 2022 and Estelle in 2009, Nedra's voice seals the Ronets' eternal legacy in rock history, a sound still echoes strong.