Phil Spector, famed producer, dies of COVID at 81

• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Published date: 17 January 2021
• Date: 17 January 2021

The site reported that Spector died on Saturday from COVID-19 related complications.

Spector is regarded to be among the most influential figures in pop music history. began his career in 1958 as co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the Teddy Bears, penning their US number-one single "To Know Him Is to Love Him".

Throughout the 1960s, he wrote, co-wrote, or produced records for acts such as the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Ike & Tina Turner. He typically collaborated with arranger Jack Nitzsche, engineer Larry Levine, and a de facto house band that later became known as "the Wrecking Crew". Spector initially retired from the music industry in 1966.

In 1969, Spector returned to his career and subsequently produced the Beatles' album Let It Be (1970), as well as several solo records by the band's John Lennon and George Harrison. He became increasingly eccentric and erratic in his professional and social life (one time brandishing a pistol at a Lennon recording session) and essentially faded from public view in the 1970s.

His chart-toppers included "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (co-written and produced for the Righteous Brothers, 1964), "The Long and Winding Road" (produced for the Beatles, 1970)...