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Must see BBC Interview with Phil Spector on www.INLNews.com

Phil Spector in "Easy Rider" (1969)
There are several other writeups about Phil's life work available through
Rolling Stone and SpectroPop.
"The world could use a new Phil Spector record, that's for sure." - Bob Dylan: Rolling Stone Nov/Dec 1987

 John Lennon's Imagine is considered by some[who?] as Spector's best production of the 1970s.
 A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector - a trademark album employing the wall of sound.

Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26, 1939) is an American record producer and songwriter.
The originator of the "Wall of Sound" production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s' girl group sound and clocked in over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965. In later years he worked with such artists as Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ramones with similar success, including production work on the Academy Award winning Let It Be and Grammy Award winning Concert For Bangladesh soundtracks. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer.
The 1965 song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," produced and co-written by Spector for the The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. air play in the 20th century.[1]
In later years, Spector has become increasingly known for his eccentricity, reclusive temperament and obsessive behavior that culminated with a
mistrial in a second-degree murder case.

 


The Latest News on the Phil Spector Re-Trial
from The Rolling Stone Magazine

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/13/phil-spector-found-guilty-in-murder-retrial-faces-18-years-in-prison/

Phil Spector Found Guilty In Murder Retrial, Faces At Least 18 Years In Prison

4/13/09, 5:22 pm EST

Photo: Djansezian/Getty 

The jury hearing Phil Spector’s murder retrial found the music producer guilty today of charges of second-degree murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson. Clarkson died of a gunshot wound at Spector’s Los Angeles mansion in February 2003 under dubious circumstances. Spector’s first trial began in April 2007 and concluded in September 2007 when the jury failed to reach a verdict. Deliberations for Spector’s second murder trial stretched 32 hours over nine days. The 69-year-old Spector faces a minimum of 18 years of prison; he’ll be sentenced on May 29th.

Photos: Spector Before the Fall

Spector was arrested on February 3, 2003 after his limo driver called police to report a dead body in the foyer of the producer’s mansion. Spector’s chauffeur testified at the initial trial that Spector said to him, “I think I killed somebody.” Spector met Clarkson at the House of Blues, where she worked as a cocktail waitress, and invited her back to his home for a drink; it was the first time the pair had met. Clarkson was found shot in the mouth with a gun next to her body. Police later testified that Spector was uncooperative at the crime scene and had to be tasered for refusing to obey orders.

Phil Spector On Trial: From the Crime Scene to the Courthouse


According to the Los Angeles Times, the jury that convicted Spector consisted of six women and six men, three of whom owned guns. Nine of the jurors knew someone who had committed suicide, and one juror was a fan of Spector’s music. During the trial, the prosecution argued that Spector threatened women with handguns in the past, often engaging in a “history of playing Russian roulette with the lives of women” when drunk. The defense countered that Clarkson was suicidal about her career at the time of her death and was capable of committing a “self-destructive act,” per the L.A. Times.

This trial followed an arc and witness list similar to Spector’s first murder trial, which resulted in the jury being deadlocked 10-2 in favor of a guilty verdict. Spector is famous for his “Wall of Sound” production technique, featured on hits like the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.’ ” Spector also produced the Beatles’ Let It Be, John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band and George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. His last full-album credit came on Yoko Ono’s 1981 album Season of Glass, though he also produced two tracks for Starsailor’s 2004 LP Silence Is Easy.

Related Stories:

 The Phil Spector Trial: Spector Dances (Literally) and the Aftermath
 Full Coverage: The Phil Spector Trial


PreviousNextLatest

Comments

Peter S. | 4/15/2009, 9:36 pm EST

Justice was Done … I hope the Little Gnome dies in his cell.

Snuffelupugus | 4/15/2009, 7:47 pm EST

Wow first of all to HBlaine (4/13/2009, 9:51 pm EST):

You said: “… and anyone who has tried to put a gun in someones mouth knows its impossible”.

Um, are these people you encounter often? Remind me not to party with you.

Maybe you (or someone else) can explain what makes it “impossible” to put a gun in someone’s mouth? Or to “let” a gun so near to her face. If, for example, Person A is pointing a gun at Person B and says, oh I don’t know, something like “open your mouth or I’m going to shoot you in the face,” I suggest it is at least within the realm of possibility that Person B might oblige them in the hope, however faint, that by doing so might save their own life. We’ve all seen it in the movies dozens of times, haven’t we? That must make it true! Ok, I’m joking about that last bit, but you get the point. It may be (close to?) impossible to physically force a gun into someone’s mouth - fortunately I don’t know anyone who’s tried so I can’t really ask around - but I assert they might very well be coerced into doing so.

Now I’m not saying I know what really happened that morning - only two people do: one is in jail and one is dead. I am saying though that suggesting the convicted party is innocent based on psuedo-scientific claims such as these weakens your argument. I don’t think admitting that something is ‘possible’ would diminish your standing as pro-Spector at all. Heck, it might even make your argument more compelling. Of course, that’s just my opinion. Take it or leave it.

Peter Heide | 4/15/2009, 7:21 pm EST

Thumbs up Kelley Lynch. Keep writing !

Davo | 4/15/2009, 6:47 pm EST

I cant understand how that strong woman could let a gun get that close to her face. Seems she could have turned it away and pummeled the small man into a pudding before that could happen.

Kelley Lynch | 4/15/2009, 4:19 pm EST

Chelsea, I don’t have to pray that Phillip didn’t put a gun in my mouth. Do you know why? Because I know him. You are merely gossip and participating in the District Attorney’s set up of an innocent man. After all, Lost Angeles needed to nail a celebrity. It does indeed matter if Lana Clarkson was a prostitute and I want to hear more from Baby Doll Gibson. And it absolutely matters if she was a prostitute who played with guns.

The vile comments on this website are horrifying. Every single person, from what I can tell, including the jury, has overlooked the facts, the evidence, and forensic science.

Hopefully, the California Appeals Court will allow Mr. Spector to post bond and that, as people have noted, law enforcement does not harm him or permit him to be harmed. Lee Baca has already notified his boyfriends that he doesn’t believe in the Constitution of the United States and feels Phillip is dangerous. I believe Baca and his crowd are dangerous - particularly as I also know a young man who is incarcerated because the Sheriff’s Department shot him in the hands while surrendering. Then, they ran back to their other boyfriends and charged him with pre-meditated attempted murder on law enforcement … this crowd thinks quick and they think dirty. This is precisely what happened to Phil Spector. Alhambra PD realized they screwed up.

But … it’s more fun to glamorize a woman that was drinking and on vicodin, out of control in Phillip’s foyer and acting bizarrely, and singing “Da Doo Run Run” before “SHE” shot herself. Alhambra PD must have realized she shot herself - after they tasered Phil Spector. Imagine the civil suit they could have envisioned. Also, I think only a “man” would put a woman’s handbag over her shoulder - after she was shot and fell back. It would have slipped down on her arm. I would be my life that man was law enforcement.

Phil Spector didn’t have to take the stand. The forensic science is factual and it is evidence. Unfortunately, the crime scene was apparently violated and the evidence appears to have been handled outrageously and tampered with.

If there’s any fat or ugly people on this site - perhaps you would like to be imprisoned for the way you look. This may actually happen - given what is going on in America, with law enforcement, and in the newsmedia. There is no justice system. There are criminals sitting as District Attorneys. They make careers this way.

Chelsea, you remark is pathetic. Why would I lie about the fact that Phil Spector is a wonderful human being? Why would I continue my friendship with Mr. Spector for 25 years if I felt threatened. And, why would I put myself out here for law enforcement and others to target - and, believe me, they have. Because I am telling the truth. That’s why.

Kelley Lynch

Peter Heide | 4/15/2009, 12:53 pm EST

This so sad. And now for sure we wont get a boxset of outtakes and non-released music from the wall of sound produtions everm.
What a fucked-up justice-system you got in USA. Glad i’m not live there.
All my sympathy to Mr. Spector !

Peter S. | 4/15/2009, 11:57 am EST

There was a witness, Phil Spector! … and he took the 5th. That woman would not spotaneously kill herself in a house with someone she didn’t know, and leave no message to her family. Before this ever happened we knew Spector was an unstable and violent man who pulled guns on people when he did not get his way … this time the gun went off.

sept2749 | 4/15/2009, 11:36 am EST

With so many innocent people being convicted these days I have a problem with Spector’s trial. We will never know if he shot lana or not - period! The whole trial was simply a way of “payback” for a celeb. people are envious creatures and seem to love when a big guy falls. That really sucks! Phil may be nuts, bald and love guns but there were no witnesses to Lana’s death and no motive - just the means! Not enough to convict someone for murder. give them Hell kelly lynch!

Jack Maple | 4/15/2009, 11:08 am EST

It doesn’t matter what Lana did for a living ( even though she wasn’t a prostitute , just a pathetic attempt to drag her name by creeps).
Bottom line is she didn’t have any sort of violent past, just plain CRAZINESS like little bitch Philly does :P
If one were to reserach suicide statistics they would uncover fact that in nearly every instance (their are exceptions of course) woman who commit suicide almost never use a a gun.
Suicide is an act usually done in private, not at someone they just mets home.
Any doubters about Phil’s innocence should really do PROPER research about his violent antics towards others.
Matter of fact when Phil was arrested he mouthed off some very insensitive,cruel comments such as “How dare that piece of shit kill herself in MY house”.
He really sounds like a caring, concerned person considering (even if it were ,and it wasn’t suicide) what took place in his home.

Kim E | 4/15/2009, 9:51 am EST

FINALLY an LA Jury listened to the evidence! Justice for Lana! I am thrilled with the outcome. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that phil was on the road to total self destruction over the years. It was only a matter of time before that gun went off. May the new wall of sound in the depths of hell ring in your ears for eternity.

Peter S | 4/15/2009, 9:50 am EST

if she killed herself, wouldn’t he get on the stand and tell us what happened?

Chelsea | 4/15/2009, 8:33 am EST

Kelly Lynch, you should be on your knees thanking God he didn’t stick a gun in YOUR mouth!
How anyone could defend this little miscreant is way beyond me.

Jasper | 4/15/2009, 1:47 am EST

Something doesn’t smell right here.
I agree with Ashleigh Banfield of Court TV. Spector may be a freak with past episodes of violence, but that doesn’t make him a killer.
The evidence here is sparse to say the least.

His Prince Michael | 4/14/2009, 11:16 pm EST

Got R.I.A.A.?

raab | 4/14/2009, 8:35 pm EST

This is the worst day ever!!

twitter.com/GagMeWithA Spoon

soap_on_a_rope | 4/14/2009, 7:40 pm EST

Bout time justice is served.

His Prince Michael | 4/14/2009, 6:56 pm EST

The BEGINNING, for the R.I.A.A.

Kelley Lynch | 4/14/2009, 6:53 pm EST

I thought journalists were supposed to investigate. Alan Jackson looks and sounds like a complete lying fraud. Phil Spector had no motive, whatsoever, to shoot Lana Clarkson - whose Madam, Baby Doll Gibson, said she was a prostitute who played with guns … politically correct or not. There is nothing correct about setting up an innocent man. The newsmedia - assisting the District Idiots - have rendered Phil Spector unrecognizable. I should know - I have known Mr. Spector, the Mother of his children, and his children, for approximately 25 years. After the death of Marty Machat, Phillip’s lawyer, I worked as an intern for Mr. Spector. I have also spent quite a lot of time with Mr. Spector: at his home, in public, at events, and even at the House of Blues. Mr. Spector is targeted. Be clear about that. Not the other way around.

Here’s what Phil Spector told me: Clarkson, who had mixed alcohol and vicodin, was behaving bizarrely in his foyer - dancing around and singing Da Doo Run Run before she shot herself. Unfortunately, Alhambra PD - according to their testimony - thought Mr. Spector was a “voyer” and not a witness inviting him into his house. The driver is clearly a liar and non-credible person who seems to have perjured himself in a number of documents with Immigration.

The District Attorney’s office (and I should know - they approached me as a “probable witness”) is comprised of the most unprofessional, outlandish, corrupt liars I have ever encountered in my life. It is shocking. They are, however, extremely impressed that Alan Jackson was on tv. This is what the “clerical staff” noted on more than one occasion - and that summed things up for me.

Every expert witness for the defense did not lie. That logic is preposterous. Bill Pavelic, however, has made credible allegations that LAPD’s grotesque Robbery-Homicide Unit set up him, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Baden - in retaliation for the OJ trial. I think the jury’s verdict is also retaliation for the failed celebrity murder trials.

Perhaps NBC should investigate Bill Pavelic’s allegations. Read guiltyofincompetence.com - that might frighten you if you believe that there was a “hunt” for Mr. Pavelic, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Baden.

Obviously the judge has thrown both trials for the prosecution. He has prevented people who were not witnesses from speaking to the newsmedia - exercising their constitutional rights. There are allegations that jurors were on the internet - and there is a letter from Lana Clarkson’s friends to the judge and jurors (before the verdict) asking them to find Phil Spector guilty. Of course, you cannot really read that posting because it is illogical but it is very clear about Donna Clarkson’s lawyers and raises issues of threats.

I have asked Phil Spector to join me in a lawsuit against the District Attorney, LAPD, and others. The reason for this is because I was dragged into this insanity and my children’s lives were destroyed. I have been threatened by employees of the District Attorney’s office - after being told I was presumably a witness. Personally, I think the DA should be charged, arrested, put on trial, and imprisoned for what has happened here. But, for now, he and has criminal colleagues are gloating and happy. That is my personal opinion. If you spoke with them it would probably be yours also - particularly if you believed that Phil Spector is innocent.

Kelley Lynch

warhorse1 | 4/14/2009, 5:31 pm EST

black hole sun -

couldn’t have said it better myself.

bicuspitd | 4/14/2009, 5:12 pm EST

Don’t let the bastards get you down, Phil.
I like your work on Let It Be and Imagine.
Millions of us will still be listening to them while you’re getting reamed.

Tootsie | 4/14/2009, 3:33 pm EST

Always said Lana was too classy and talented to commit sucide at a strangers house or anywhere else. I really think Phil was pissed cause she called him Ms. Spector. Ha Ha. May he rot in hell!

Ted | 4/14/2009, 3:32 pm EST

I’m jut glad to see he’s wearing a flag lapel pin, so we know he doesn’t hate America.

dismayed | 4/14/2009, 2:28 pm EST

Imagine a family member/friend of yours wrongly convicted! This should not be happening in USA! A prosecutor should not be able to “devise” a fictitious story to relate to a naive jury. Good luck with the appellate process Phil. To those of you deciding his fate….shame on you!

Bunny | 4/14/2009, 12:49 pm EST

Wow, it’s about time. Karma is a bitch isn’t it?

Gusto | 4/14/2009, 12:23 pm EST

Bunch of freaks you are if you think he is guilty. Remember, when he played with his gun b/f he nev’ killed anyone nor did he shoot anyone! Best hope none of you are ev’ falsely convicted!

Ruben | 4/14/2009, 11:33 am EST

Philly! I’z a waitin for yo ass biatch.

Ruben “The Night Crawler”
California State Correctional Facility
Inmate 15689701

A Gun Called Justice | 4/14/2009, 11:29 am EST

I’m overjoyed,I really thought the legal system (especially in L.A.) would prove to yet again be a mere joke.
All that know about Phill, are well aware Phil is a known sadistic,cruel, misogynist.
May he die in jail a slow painful death.

Tom | 4/14/2009, 11:02 am EST

Perhaps he’ll be incarcerated in an 8 by 10 foot cell with a 7-foot crazed inmate named Mongo, which would greatly reduce the California tax burden over the ensuing decades.

Reverend Billy D. / Austin | 4/14/2009, 10:52 am EST

Well Well Well - is seems that once again the primary beneficiary of “Justice” will be [drum roll please] THE LAWYERS!!!

Sorry for the vic - mostly because no one apparently ever told her [or she never bothered to learn] that short men with histories of violence towards women and/or alcoholism and/or lots of guns aren’t really the best pick ups… mostly sad more than anything else.

Shoulda fled the country Philly… surely woulda been cheaper

CHRISTINA | 4/14/2009, 10:26 am EST

I. DON’T FEEL BAD 4 SPECTOR….. HE DESESRVE TO B IN JAIL 4 THE REST OF HIS LIFE…… HE FIGURE HE WOULD GET AWAY WITH THE MURDER CUZ HE IS A CELEBRITY…
JUSTICE FINALLY…. BUT UNFORTUALLY IT WILL NOT BRING HER BACK …. I HOPE U DO DROP THE SOAP U SICK BARTARD

tony montana | 4/14/2009, 10:19 am EST

this guy has a shitload of money.
what makes you think he’s going to be with the main population of the prison?
he’ll probably have his own private cell like mark david chapman except he will probably be drinking champagne and eating caviar as he pays off the guards!

Colleen | 4/14/2009, 10:16 am EST

What a waste of talent I guess justice was served. Do your time Phil…

Colleen | 4/14/2009, 10:16 am EST

What a waste of talent I guess justice was served. Do your time Phil…

larry | 4/14/2009, 10:11 am EST

Echoing around the Wall of Sound is the infamous greeting:
“Good morning, Bubba!”

Pete, UK | 4/14/2009, 9:59 am EST

Maybe the guards on suicide watch won’t be too diligent in their duties? Maybe they’ll be neglectful and leave him alone for a while with the means to finish it.
No, on second thought that would make it too f*cking easy for him.
At age 69 perhaps he won’t be attractive to the bulls. On the other hand I guess they do get a little desparate in prison!

Rock | 4/14/2009, 9:43 am EST

Uhm, what evidence was there to implicate Spector? NONE B/c of Fidler Phil has been wrongly convicted, appalling. Even worse is the fact that so many people take enjoyment over his demise. Is the world safer with Phil incarcerated? He picked up the wrong woman that night ultimately giving himself the death penalty. He simply could not have walked up to Lana and put a gun in her mouth, she could have easily fought back! Disgusting!

Sly | 4/14/2009, 9:37 am EST

What a sad finale…..obviously Lana was living in anguish and committed suicide, how did the jury get it so wrong?

Mike/Houston,TX. | 4/14/2009, 7:51 am EST

Silly Rabbitt said it best. Let him rot in jail. Next up should be Chris Brown. All the women who have suffered from the abuse of all these manipulative social monsters - you all deserved much better.

Anonymous | 4/14/2009, 6:53 am EST

Phil Spector should have been given the death penalty…. not for the murder of Lana Clarkson…

…but for what he did to the Beatles’ Let It Be album.

The record was good enough, as is. But then he went ahead, and took a great big shit all over the original sessions, by adding the most godawful syrupy strings and choirs, making the music practically unlistenable.

Fry, Phil, fry!

Silly rabbit | 4/14/2009, 5:12 am EST

It wasn’t a suicide, it was murder. Pure and simple.

As for “canned emotion”, the only “canned emotion” comes from the mental midgets who defend him because they can’t stand to see a celebrity with feet of clay and a sadistic streak 30 years deep suffer for his crime. Or they’re the type of creep who think someone who dies as Lana did somehow deserved their fate.

Let him rot in prison. He will never see the light of day as a free man again, and that’s something not even winning a wrongful-death suit could buy.

pelme | 4/14/2009, 5:04 am EST

Will Phil be allowed to wear his wigs in jail?

MDawg | 4/14/2009, 3:25 am EST

Phil Spector was not guilty. The forensic evidence establishes this was suicide.

Miss Fanny | 4/14/2009, 2:45 am EST

Sweet revenge for Ronnie Spector. She’s known about PS and his wierdness far longer than anyone else. I’ll always love those records, but they were dreams - symphonies for kids - total escape music. But the man has always been a maniac. Justice has at last been done. Thanks for the memories and Bye bye Phil.

jojo | 4/14/2009, 2:08 am EST

HAVE ANYONE OF YOU MORONS EVER BEEN TO PRISON, IF NOT KEEP YOUR TELEVION BREATHING THINKING FEELING MOUTH IN FRONT OF YOUR GOD T.V.

The Intl | 4/14/2009, 12:49 am EST

Fake sympathy?? Are you shitting me?

It doesn’t matter if anyone knew who Lana Clarkson was before this deal or not. SHE met HIM JUST THAT NIGHT and died for it. So yeah, I feel sorry for her bad judgement to go with that frikkin’ gun totin’ megalomaniac has-been. I love Spector’s work, the wall of sound will never be beat but it’s well known what a nut job he was, especially with his loosey-goosey attitude towards guns. Sad, very very sad, but yeah, I feel sorry for her and everyone else should, too. She coulda gone on being a LIVING nobody.

Peter Daily | 4/14/2009, 12:30 am EST

What a weird situation.
Hard to believe that anyone that was sane would let another person stick a gun in their mouth for fun.
No one will ever know though.

Sad for the victims family.
Sad for Spector.

Peace & love everybody…peace & love.

Anon | 4/14/2009, 12:16 am EST

It’s about time.

john | 4/14/2009, 12:10 am EST

reap what you sow Phil - glad to be rid of you

. | 4/14/2009, 12:01 am EST

Can people stop with the “justice for lana”, “I’m so happy for her” fake sympathy.
Not bashing the victim, but it’s not like any of you had a clue who she was prior to this trial.
The canned emotions are nauseating.

Black Hole Sun | 4/13/2009, 11:46 pm EST

From Wikipedia: “Spector has had many conflicts, sometimes bizarre, with the artists, songwriters and promoters he has worked with. Describing the dissolution of their Philles Records partnership, Lester Sill said, “I sold out for a pittance. It was shit, ridiculous, around $60,000. I didn’t want to but I had to. Let me tell you, I couldn’t live with Phillip . . . I just wanted the fuck out of there. If I wouldn’t have, I would have killed him. It wasn’t worth the aggravation.”
As a peevish farewell gesture, shortly after Lester Sill’s departure from Philles Records, Spector wrote, and had The Crystals record, a single entitled “(Let’s Dance) The Screw”. Six minutes long and completely lacking Spector’s customary Wall of Sound production techniques, “The Screw” was neither releasable (by 1963 music industry standards) nor intended for general release. Indeed, only a handful of copies of the single were pressed, one of which Spector had delivered to Sill as a parting shot at his former partner. (Legend has it that the recording of “The Screw” served a second purpose: to cheat Sill out of royalties due him from sales of the next Philles recording. However, this claim is considered unlikely.) It has also been said that Spector brought one of his own lawyers into the recording studio to yell out the chorus of the song ( “—do the screw!” ). Both Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love have included stories of poor treatment towards his artists in their autobiographies.
Spector’s domineering attitude toward Ronnie Spector led to the dissolution of their marriage. Ronnie Spector has claimed that Spector showed her a gold coffin with a glass top in his basement, promising to kill and display her should she ever choose to leave him; he had earlier forbidden her from speaking to the Rolling Stones or touring with the Beatles, for fear of infidelity. During Spector’s reclusive period in the late 1960s, he reportedly kept his wife locked inside their mansion. She claimed he also hid her shoes to dissuade her from walking outside, and kept the house dark because he didn’t want anyone to see his balding head. Spector’s son later claimed that he was kept locked inside his room, with a pot in the corner to be used as a toilet. Ronnie Spector did leave the producer and filed for divorce in 1972. She wrote a book about her experiences, and said years later, “I can only say that when I left in the early ’70s, I knew that if I didn’t leave at that time, I was going to die there.” In 1998, Ronnie Spector and the other Ronettes sued Phil Spector for allegedly cheating them of royalties and licensing fees, winning a $3 million judgment; however, an appeals court later reversed the decision, upholding the terms of the group’s 1963 contract as binding. In 2007, Ronnie Spector discussed her Ronettes’ much-delayed entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: “He wrote the Hall of Fame to tell them not to put me in. He did everything he could to stop me. He’s bitter that I left him. He wants everyone to think he’s the mastermind. He thought everything was because of him.” Stories of Phil Spector’s gunplay mounted over the years, including his discharging a firearm while in the studio with John Lennon during the recording of his cover album Rock ‘n’ Roll, either placing a loaded pistol at Leonard Cohen’s head or threatening him with a crossbow during the sessions for Death of a Ladies’ Man, and forcing Dee Dee Ramone to play bass guitar to Spector’s specifications at gunpoint. Cohen told Rolling Stone magazine in 1978 that, “Phil couldn’t resist annihilating me. I don’t think he can tolerate any other shadows in his darkness.” The Ramones reportedly had to play the opening chord to the song, “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School”, for eight hours straight; years later, Johnny Ramone described Spector as “a little man with lifts in his shoes, the wig on top of his head and four guns”. But he also described the session philosophically: “It was a positive learning experience. And that chord does sound really good.” Marky Ramone said, “A lot of these things were overblown, and a lot of these things were alcohol-induced.”

Payback time, bitch. All the hell you put Ronnie & MANY others through is coming back to bite you in the ass BIG TIME. Unfortunately, Lana was the one who had to suffer the worst in order for you to finally end up where you belong, you worthless scumbag. Good luck trying to bring your Brillo pad wig in jail with you. Oh, and I strongly endorse Tom’s suggestion of a cellmate. It would serve his ass well, anyway.

JD | 4/13/2009, 11:24 pm EST

I wonder if this means he’ll be removed from the rock and roll hall of fame and that oldies radio will no longer be able to play great songs like “Lovin’ Feeling”, “Then He Kissed Me,” and “Be My Baby.” I have lots of respect for his music, but as a person, he’s very creepy. And I guess they can’t air any TV show that he appeared on anymore, including that “I Dream of Jeannie” episode where Boyce and Hart do that “Out And About” song.

pinkflyd7 | 4/13/2009, 10:53 pm EST

Once he’s in jail, he’ll have to get rid of that god-awful wig.

DB | 4/13/2009, 10:39 pm EST

Down goes Spector ! (in my best Howard Cosell voice)

Atlanta | 4/13/2009, 10:33 pm EST

You never know how you look til you get your picture took.

HBlaine | 4/13/2009, 9:51 pm EST

They screwed this one up but good, the chick obviously did herself in and anyone who has tried to put a gun in someones mouth knows its impossible. Off in 3 months visa vi appeal and letting 5 previous “girlfriends” appear as witnesses..prosecuters blew it luckily. Phil is the best..back to mono me amigo!

poughkeepsiejohn | 4/13/2009, 9:03 pm EST

I have to say that I don’t feel sorry for Phil Spector. Anybody who knows even a little bit of his personal history will tell you that he’s erratic, he’s arrogant, he’s isolated himself from everyone and he’s been known to draw guns on people—such as Johnny Ramone, Leonard Cohen and even John Lennon. And don’t get me started about his stormy relationship with Ronnie Spector.

Justice was delayed but at least it wasn’t denied.

Hollywood Actress | 4/13/2009, 8:51 pm EST

Today, finally I can say Lana can rest in peace. If there is a such thing. Her life was cut to short she is gone from all of us who loved and knew her. Justice for Lana on this day gives me hope. That if your rich and famous your not above the law.

larry | 4/13/2009, 8:50 pm EST

Prison won’t be that bad for Spector. When he finds himself in times of loneliness, Bubba will come to him.

dreamedofanangel | 4/13/2009, 8:19 pm EST

Congratulations to everyone who worked to convict this horrid beast of his unspeakable crime. This will never give Lana back her life, and we all miss her so. Justice will be somewhat served in his confinement as he rots away with others of his kind, and he will not be able to hurt anyone else. Thank you for doing the right thing.

Cathy Los Angeles Ca | 4/13/2009, 8:10 pm EST

It is fantastic that that creep who has been REMORSELESS after killing that woman in cold blood and then to have them expose her life like she was some kind of spinster She came to his home alive and left dead case closed finally some rich SOB in L.A.is paying the price Cathy

Tom | 4/13/2009, 8:04 pm EST

Is it to much to ask for Phil Spector to be assigned a jail cell with a 7 foot serial killer named Mongo?

Matt | 4/13/2009, 6:57 pm EST

I’m sure he’ll make lots of new friends at Pelican Bay or wherever they send him. I hope to see him on a future episode of lockup without his wig on.

Mr. Wallingford | 4/13/2009, 6:54 pm EST

“Nine of the jurors knew someone who had committed suicide, and one juror was a fan of Spector’s music.”

So apparently suicide is more prevalent than fans of the music Phil Spector produced.

What a very very weird world we live in.

Cape Cod Girl | 4/13/2009, 6:52 pm EST

FINALLY! A “celebrity” guilty of murder actually being convicted of the crime! If only justice had been served for Nicole Brown, Ron Goldman, Bonnie Lee Bakley and others. This time they got it right!

Klugles | 4/13/2009, 6:51 pm EST

Long overdo - Congrats to the jury for a job well done this time.

Be my baby... | 4/13/2009, 6:42 pm EST

Hey Rochelle! Let’s see another victory dance!

Thaddeus Buttmunch MD | 4/13/2009, 6:14 pm EST

if he won the Heisman and played in the NFL he’d be a free man and you KNOW it!

lalala | 4/13/2009, 6:11 pm EST

HAHAHA

Bob | 4/13/2009, 6:06 pm EST

Timbaland is still the most vile producer ever, though.
Spector may have killed a woman, but at least he didn’t cause a decade’s worth of shit music.

tanaS | 4/13/2009, 5:46 pm EST

“Be My Little Baby” indeed. Don’t drop the soap Phil.

Karol | 4/13/2009, 5:39 pm EST

Yes many yeara ago great producer who them sucmmed to drugs/alcohol and bacame a maniac!
Down he goes–maybe he could room with OJ!
Ah the fallen do get their rewards!


Phil Spector attending his trial and re-trial
Phil Spector is convicted of 2nd-degree murder.
  Legendary music producer Phil Spector has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of an actress at his home in Alhambra, California. The six men and six women began their deliberations on March 26. Spector now faces 15 years to life in prison.

Phil Spector found guilty of actress' 2003 murder










http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/13/phil.spector.verdict/


INLNews.com comment:
This photo shown by the LA Times of Phil Spector seems to have been used to
show Phil Spector in his worst light and make him look guilty. So it seems the LA Times
want to support the guilty verdict rather than questioning it.
INLNews.com is positive that if Phil Spector was found not guilty the LA Times would have used
a much more pleasant and sane photo of Phil Spector
 
such as


in the article reporting any not guilty verdict.
This photo above of Phil Spector makes him look like an insane guilty man that deserves never to be released from prison. INLNews.com feels that the LA Times have used this photo in a wrongful and unjust way against Phil Spector, who as like anyone, has the right of a fair trial, as well as fair independant and balanced journalism surrounding his case.
INLNews.com do not believe that the use of this above photo by the LA Times of Phil Spector is fair independant and balanced journalism and may effect Phil Spector's sentencing hearing in a negative way.

Phil Spector will not remain free on bail pending his May 29 sentencing.

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- After about 30 hours of deliberation, a jury on Monday convicted music producer Phil Spector of second-degree murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson more than six years ago.

Wearing a black suit with a red tie and pocket square, Spector showed no reaction as the verdict was announced. Now 69, he faces a sentence of 18 years to life in prison when he is sentenced May 29.

Asked if he agreed to the sentencing date, Spector quietly answered, "Yes."

Prosecutor Alan Jackson said he believed the jury reached the correct verdict, and he acknowledged the strength and backing of Clarkson's family. But defense attorney Doron Weinberg said Spector's defense team disagreed and planned to appeal.

"We don't believe justice was done," Weinberg said.

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler declined to allow Spector to remain free on bail pending sentencing, citing Spector's years-long "pattern of violence" involving firearms. Video Watch the lawyers give their views of the verdict »

"This was not an isolated incident," Fidler said, noting Spector's two previous firearm-related convictions from the 1970s. "The taking of an innocent human life, it doesn't get any more serious than that."

Spector's wife, Rachelle, was in the courtroom to hear the verdict Monday, as was Clarkson's mother, Donna.

Clarkson, 40, was found dead, slumped in a chair in the foyer of Spector's Alhambra, California, mansion with a gunshot wound through the roof of her mouth in February 2003.

A mistrial was declared in Spector's first trial in September 2007. After deliberating 15 days, jurors told Fidler that they were unable to reach a verdict. Spector was also charged with second-degree murder in that trial. Jurors deadlocked 10-2 in favor of conviction.

In closing arguments at the retrial, prosecutor Truc Do called Spector "a very dangerous man" who "has a history of playing Russian roulette with women -- six women. Lana just happened to be the sixth."

Weinberg argued that the prosecution's case hinged on circumstantial evidence. He said the possibility that Clarkson committed suicide could not be ruled out.

Do pointed out, however, to jurors that Clarkson bought new shoes on the day of her death -- something a suicidal woman would not have done, the prosecutor said.

A female juror who declined to be identified told reporters the jurors considered all the evidence and testimony to reach their verdict.

"This entire jury took this so seriously," she said with tears in her eyes, before adding that "it's tough to be in a jury," because another person's life is in the jury's hands.

Clarkson starred in the 1985 B-movie "Barbarian Queen" and appeared in many other films, including "DeathStalker," "Blind Date," "Scarface," "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and the spoof "Amazon Women on the Moon." She was working as a VIP hostess at Hollywood's House of Blues at the time of her death.

In the 2007 trial, Spector's attorneys argued that Clarkson was depressed over a recent breakup and grabbed a .38-caliber pistol to kill herself while at Spector's home.

But prosecution witnesses painted Spector as a gun-toting menace. Five women took the stand and claimed he had threatened them with firearms. His driver testified that he heard a loud noise and saw the producer leave the home, pistol in hand, saying, "I think I killed somebody."

Spector's retrial began in October. Fidler ruled that jurors could consider the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter against Spector.

Spector's professional trademark was the "Wall of Sound," the layering of instrumental tracks and percussion that underpinned a string of hits on his Philles label -- named for Spector and his business partner, Lester Sill -- in the early 1960s. iReport.com: What do you think of this verdict?

The roaring arrangements were the heart of what he called "little symphonies for the kids" -- among them No. 1 hits like the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."

Don't Miss



Lana Clarkson
Lana Clarkson
Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Lana Clarkson
Lana Model Photo




http://www.tabloidcolumn.com/phil-spector.html

Phil Spector Trial News


Convicted of 2nd-degree murder


· Phil Spector is convicted of 2nd-degree murder.  Legendary music producer Phil Spector has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of an actress at his home in Alhambra, California. The six men and six women began their deliberations on March 26. Spector now faces 15 years to life in prison.  Read More

· Prosecutor calls Phil Spector 'demonic maniac.'  A prosecutor told a jury that Phil Spector's history of violence against women was like a game of Russian roulette that ended with the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson at his hilltop mansion.  Read More

· LA jury can consider lesser charge in Spector case.  Jurors in Phil Spector's retrial can consider the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter instead of second-degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, a judge ruled Friday.  Read More

· Phil Spector jury ready for tour of his mansion.  For the second time in two years, a jury is to go by bus to suburban Alhambra to tour the mansion where actress Lana Clarkson died and where the life of music legend Phil Spector was altered forever. The tour scheduled for Thursday is part of Spector's murder retrial, which was ordered after the judge declared a mistrial in his first case.  Read More

· Jury to tour Phil Spector home despite objections.  Music producer Phil Spector's second jury will tour his Alhambra mansion where actress Lana Clarkson died of a gunshot wound, just as the first jury did, despite prosecution objections.  Read More

· Prosecution rests in Phil Spector murder retrial.  Prosecutors rested their case Thursday in the murder retrial of legendary music producer Phil Spector. The final prosecution witness was Donna Clarkson, mother of 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson, who died of a gunshot through the mouth at Spector's mansion in February 2003. It ended nine weeks of testimony.  Read More

· The strange defense of Phil Spector: He's scary.  Since his murder retrial began a month ago, Phil Spector has heard himself described as a gun-obsessed boor with a mouth filthier than a truck stop restroom and mood swings as sharp and scary as a dagger.  Surprisingly, this ugly portrait came courtesy not of prosecutors - although they've offered their own unflattering character sketch - but from the legendary music producer's own lawyer.  Read More

· Spector's ex-girlfriend testifies: 'He's easy to forgive.'  Phil Spector's ex-girlfriend acknowledged Wednesday that she attended events with the rock music legend after she says he pistol-whipped her and threatened her with guns, telling the court that "he's easy to forgive."  Read More

· Actress' death center stage again in Spector trial.  The death of actress Lana Clarkson at Phil Spector's hillside castle stunned Hollywood five years ago. It is a distant memory now as Spector, the eccentric musical genius behind some of rock 'n' roll's biggest sounds, goes on trial for a second time. It's a year since the jury in his first murder trial failed to reach a verdict, bringing a mistrial and now a retrial.  Read More

· UPDATE: Phil Spector's case moves toward jury selection.  A witness at Phil Spector's murder retrial will be allowed to testify that the record producer used incendiary language about women and once stated that they should be shot, a judge has ruled.  Read More

· Spector defense team not ready until fall.  Phil Spector made a brief court appearance Friday in which his new lawyer said he could not be ready for the music producer's murder retrial until September at the earliest.  The lawyer also filed a writ asking that a neutral judge be appointed to decide if Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler should be disqualified from Spector's second trial because of alleged bias.  Read More

· Phil Spector breaks his silence before second trial for murder.  Phil Spector, the American music producer who faces a second murder trial later this year, is about to break his media silence to talk on British television about the case against him and about his extraordinary career.  Read More

· Phil Spector Murder Trial Witness Dies.  A woman who testified against Phil Spector at his murder trial last year has died, but prosecutors vowed Monday that the loss would not substantially affect the music producer's second trial. Dianne Ogden, 61, who was one of four women who testified that Spector had threatened her with a gun, died at home in Park City, Utah, on Dec. 29, said Argus Hamilton, a friend. Hamilton, the host of the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, said he was told of Ogden's death during the weekend. Hamilton did not know the cause of death.  Read More

· Phil Spector gets a new lawyer.  A San Francisco lawyer says he will represent Phil Spector in his retrial on a murder charge and that he could not be ready to proceed until September.  Doron Weinberg's proposed date for the new trial would put it exactly one year after the record producer's first one ended in a hung jury.  Read More

· Spector still lacks new lawyer.  Music legend Phil Spector told a judge Monday that he's seeking a new attorney to defend him for the retrial of his murder case but has yet to find the lawyer he wants.  The 67-year-old Spector was accompanied in court by Christopher Plourd, the only lawyer remaining from his six-attorney defense team. Spector already has tried unsuccessfully to hire two new lawyers.  Read More

· Spector faces murder case retrial.  Music producer Phil Spector is to face a retrial on a charge of murdering actress Lana Clarkson, officials have confirmed. Spector's first trial ended in a mistrial last month when the jury were deadlocked 10-2, with the majority favouring conviction. Lawyers have been back to court, and prosecutor Alan Jackson formally confirmed that the district attorney's office will retry Spector.  Read More

· A half-decade later, Spector case will go on.  The specter of Phil Spector will haunt Hollywood well into 2008. On Wednesday, the judge presiding over the legendary "Wall of Sound" producer's murder trial declared a mistrial after jurors indicated they were hopelessly deadlocked, 10-2, in favor of convicting Spector on charges that he killed actress Lana Clarkson more than four years ago. After the decision, the district attorney's office indicated it would retry Spector.  Read More

· Mistrial declared in Phil Spector murder case.  A judge declared a mistrial in the murder case against music legend Phil Spector after a jury announced for the second time in a week that it was hopelessly deadlocked. The jury deliberated for 12 days without reaching a unanimous verdict. Spector went on trial in April, charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson after a night in the nightclubs of Hollywood.  Read More

· A look at the jurors in Phil Spector's murder trial.  A look at the nine-man, three-woman jury in Phil Spector's murder trial, based on their jury questionnaires.  Read More

· Phil Spector's Musical Legacy Survives.  Phil Spector was often described as a music legend during the trial that ended Wednesday with a jury unable to decide whether he was guilty or innocent of murder.  The fact is, though, that Spector's glory days - of reinventing rock 'n' roll, and influencing everyone from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen - had been decades past by the time he landed in an LA courtroom surrounded by bodyguards and lawyers.  Read More

· Spector Jury Resumes Deliberations in LA.  As jurors returned to deliberations in Phil Spector's murder trial Monday, the record producer's defense filed a motion asking the judge to give the panel more guidance to clarify controversial new instructions he issued last week to help break a deadlock. In a hearing outside the jury's presence, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler listened to arguments on the motion and told attorneys he would think about it, but gave no indication how he would rule. Amid the developments, the jury sent a note asking for a VCR, which was brought in but not used before the jury recessed for lunch. It was not known what the panel wished to view.  Read More

· Instruction in Spector case `unorthodox.'  Jurors in Phil Spector's murder trial resumed deliberations after a two-day break with a new set of instructions from the judge that legal experts deemed an unprecedented effort to break a deadlock.  Fidler told the panel that to prove Spector guilty, "the people must prove that ... the defendant committed an act with a firearm that caused the death of Lana Clarkson, such as placing a gun in her mouth or forcing her to place the gun in her mouth at which time it discharged, pointing the gun at or against her head at which time it entered her mouth and discharged, pointing the gun at her to prevent her from leaving the house, causing a struggle which resulted in the gun entering her mouth and discharging."  Read More

· Spector Judge to Withdraw Instruction.  The judge in Phil Spector's murder trial, struggling to help deadlocked jurors reach a verdict, is taking an unusual step that some legal experts say could make a conviction easily reversible on appeal.  With jurors split 7-5, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said Wednesday he planned to withdraw a legal instruction that some panelists cited as a point of dispute when they announced the impasse a day earlier. The judge sent the jurors home early on Wednesday and told them to return Thursday.  The instruction concerns the prosecution's theory that Spector held a gun to actress Lana Clarkson's mouth, and that the weapon discharged, causing her death. It says jurors must find Spector committed that act in order to convict him of second-degree murder.  Read More

· Spector judge rejects manslaughter option.  The judge in the Phil Spector murder trial today ruled out instructing the deadlocked jurors on a lesser charge, but he left the door open to sending them back to continue deliberating.  At a morning hearing, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said it would be inappropriate to have the jury consider involuntary manslaughter because it would imply that jurors should return a guilty verdict after they were unable to decide whether the famed record producer was guilty of shooting actress Lana Clarkson.  Read More

· Spector jury locked in 7-5 impasse  The judge in Phil Spector's murder trial said he is considering giving jurors the option of finding the record producer guilty of a lesser charge than second degree murder after the panelists reported a 7-5 impasse following seven days of deliberations. Spector's defense team was expected Wednesday to vigorously oppose Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler's expected proposal to help jurors break their deadlock, while legal scholars said a conviction on lesser charges could be vulnerable to appeal.  Read More

· Spector jury says it's deadlocked.  The jury in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector has "reached an impasse" after more than a week of deliberations, the trial judge said Tuesday. Phil Spector, 67, is charged with second-degree murder in the 2003 killing of an actress. The nine-man, three-woman jury delivered a note to court officials early Tuesday afternoon, warning they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in Spector's case.  Read More

· Spector jurors begin deliberations, view revolver used in shooting death.  A jury of nine men and three women began deliberating yesterday whether rock 'n' roll producer Phil Spector is guilty of second-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.  In the afternoon, jurors requested the .38-caliber revolver used in the shooting. They'll return for a second day of deliberations today.  Read More

· Murder Case Against Spector Goes to Jury.  The murder case against record producer Phil Spector went to jurors Monday after Spector's wife sparred with the judge over a gag order and Spector himself publicly denied he had criticized the judge and jury pool.  Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler sent the jurors into deliberations after asking if any had heard or seen any news reports over the weekend that could affect their discussions. No one raised a hand.  The London newspaper The Mail on Sunday reported that Spector had said most of the prospective jurors thought he was either guilty or insane and Fidler "doesn't like me."  Read More

· Spector prosecutors show animations depicting Clarkson's death.  Closing arguments in the Phil Spector murder trial ended after jurors watched a series of computer-generated animations of how prosecutors say the music pioneer shot actress Lana Clarkson. The Spector figure, sporting a long, white jacket and a long, curly hairdo, then thrusts a gun in her mouth and fires.  Read More

· Jurors Hear Closings in Spector Trial.  The nine-man, three-woman jury is expected to hear two days of closing arguments by both sides. Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said he expects the case to be submitted to them on Friday.  The judge has ruled that the jury will only decide whether Spector is guilty or innocent of second-degree murder, and they cannot consider so-called lesser included offenses, such as voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.  Read More

· Spector Murder Trial Headed for Showdown.  Prosecutors, haunted by the acquittals of stars such as O.J. Simpson, Robert Blake and Michael Jackson, seem invested in making Phile Spector, 67, the first showbiz star to be convicted in a major criminal case. But his lawyers have fought fiercely to prove Clarkson pulled the trigger.  Final arguments are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday and jurors are to begin deliberations Friday. And, like any intriguing murder mystery, the outcome is unpredictable.  Read More

· Spector Appoints New Lead Attorney.  Phil Spector's murder trial is entering its final phases with a newly appointed lawyer at the helm of the music producer's defense team.  In a surprise development Tuesday evening - a day after the close of the trial's testimony - Spector's wife announced that the producer had hired San Francisco attorney Dennis Riordan to replace his ousted lead counsel, Bruce Cutler.  Spector's lawyers filed papers Tuesday asking the judge to tell jurors they must find the record producer either guilty or not guilty of murder, with no option to convict him of lesser offenses such as voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.  Read More

· Spector Trial Testimony Ends.  The final day of testimony in Phil Spector's trial began dramatically, with the music producer's often-absent lead defense lawyer announcing that he was leaving the case.  Later, Judge Larry Fidler told the jurors, who heard form 77 witnesses over the course of the trial, that the evidence in the case was finished.  He said final arguments would be presented next Wednesday, with jury deliberations to begin Friday.  Read More

· Phil Spector's lead lawyer leaves case.  Phil Spector's often-absent lead lawyer, Bruce Cutler, announced Monday that he is leaving the music producer's murder case because of "a difference of opinion between Mr. Spector and me on strategy." Cutler made the announcement as the trial resumed for what was expected to be the last day of testimony. It wasn't immediately clear if he quit or if Spector fired him.  Cutler had been absent from the trial for many weeks so he could appear on a syndicated TV show.  Read More

· Spector trial hears from Clarkson's mother.  The mother of actress Lana Clarkson testified at Phil Spector's murder trial yesterday, telling jurors that she last saw her daughter when they went shopping for comfortable shoes the day before she died.  Prosecutors elicited the testimony to counter the defense contention that Lana Clarkson was despondent. They are expected to argue that if Clarkson were suicidal, she would not buy multiple pairs of shoes – seven – or get a new crop of casting photos.  Read More

· Michael Bay Directed to Witness Stand.  The Phil Spector trial reached blockbuster status today. Michael Bay took the stand Monday to refute a story that had him giving Lana Clarkson the brush-off at a party just weeks before she died. A friend of the late actress testified several weeks ago that Clarkson was distraught over her run-in with the filmmaker.  Read More

· Woman Refutes Testimony at Spector Trial.  Nili Hudson, called as a prosecution rebuttal witness, produced a letter written by Punkin Pie Laughlin a year after Clarkson died. In it, Laughlin told friends: 'My Lana, my best friend, my sister, my right arm, was violently taken from me at the hands of Phil Spector."  Read More

· Spector's Daughter Testifies for Defense.  Phil Spector's daughter took the witness stand Wednesday as the defense's case wound down in his murder trial, but the judge only allowed her to testify that he is right-handed and stopped questioning that suggested he was an attentive father.  Read More

· Spector defense suddenly near end.  After several weeks of trying to persuade jurors that music producer Phil Spector did not murder actress Lana Clarkson, defense attorneys have abruptly decided to close their case. Defense attorneys said they would have a few minor witnesses Wednesday morning and then would conclude, pending admission of exhibits and a planned jury tour next week of Spector's home.  Read More

· Prosecution case closed in Spector murder trial.  Prosecutors finally rested their case in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector here Monday, three months and 35 witnesses after the high-profile court case got underway.  Read More

· Spector Trial Turns Bloody Again.  Contradicting one of the prosecution's main scientific arguments, defense witness James Pex testified Wednesday during Phil Spector's murder trial that blood spatter can travel more than three feet, depending on the circumstances.  Read More

· Ex-Spector Lawyer Agrees to Testify.  A former attorney for Phil Spector agreed Thursday to testify in his murder trial about evidence allegedly withheld by a defense expert rather than go to jail for contempt of court.  Read More

· Judge Allows Spector Rant Testimony.  The judge in record producer Phil Spector's murder trial decided Monday to let jurors hear from a celebrity security guard who says he heard Spector rant against women and declare they should all be shot in the head.  Read More

· Spector lawyer Cutler leaves to tape TV show.  Just when we thought we had seen it all in celebrity trials, Phil Spector's bombastic lead attorney has decided the record producer's murder case can continue just fine without jurors seeing one key element — himself.  Bruce Cutler, the New York lawyer who opened the proceedings in April as the star performer, has taken time out from the 10-week-old trial to film a new courtroom TV show, "Jury Duty."  Read More

· Spector prosecutor grills defense expert.  A prosecutor in Phil Spector's murder trial accused a forensic pathologist who testified actress Lana Clarkson shot herself to death of tailoring his testimony to favor Spector.  Dr. Vincent DiMaio said he was basing his opinions on scientific evidence and not trying to help Spector, for whom he is working.  Read More

· Phil Spectors's Former Attorney Could go to Jail.  A former attorney for rock music producer Phil Spector could go to jail for her refusal to testify before jurors in her ex-client's murder trial.  Spector, 67, is accused of fatally shooting Lana Clarkson, a 40-year-old actress and House of Blues hostess, in the foyer of his Alhambra mansion during the early hours of Feb. 3, 2003. He maintains Clarkson's death was a suicide.  Sara Caplan, 51, was held in contempt of court last week by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler for refusing to testify the prosecution in front of the jury. Caplan said her testimony is barred by attorney-client privilege. Read More

· Ex-Spector attorney held in contempt.  An ex-defense attorney for Phil Spector was declared in contempt of court Monday after she tearfully refused to testify that she saw a defense expert in the murder case pick up possible evidence. Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler ordered the attorney, Sara Caplan, to be jailed until she testifies. But he stayed the order to allow for an immediate appeal before she was put behind bars.  Read More

· Anger and tears at Spector trial, ex-lawyer told she must testify.  An angry judge Thursday threatened a tearful lawyer with contempt of court for refusing to testify for the prosecution, at the murder trial of her ex-client and record producer Phil Spector.  "You're not going to jail today," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler told Beverly Hills lawyer Sara Caplan, who cited attorney-client privilege in appealing the judge's order to testify.  Caplan said she saw a defense expert pick up something from Spector's house the day after the February 3, 2003 murder, according to prosecutors. The defense expert, Henry Lee, denies having tampered with evidence and prosecutors now want Caplan to testify before the jury, in order to counter Lee's crucial testimony in the case.  Read More

· DNA Consistent With Spector's Found on Lana Clarkson's Breast.  DNA consistent with Phil Spector's genetic markers was found on Lana Clarkson's left breast but was not present on any part of the gun that killed her or the bullets in the weapon and was not under her broken fingernail, a sheriff's criminalist testified Tuesday in the record producer's murder trial.  Read More

· Spector jury sees death weapon.  The bloody revolver found at the feet of an actress shot to death in Phil Spector's mansion was shown to jurors at the music producer's murder trial on Tuesday.  Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Mark Lillienfeld donned gloves as he handled the gun still covered with dried blood. The snub-nosed Colt Cobra revolver was not registered and never definitively linked to Spector, though prosecutors argued he used it to shoot Lana Clarkson in the mouth on Feb. 3, 2003.  Read More

· Spector Defense Expert Decries "Slanderous Attack."  Henry Lee is mad as hell and doesn't want to take it anymore. The forensics expert who has been accused of mishandling evidence in the Phil Spector case adamantly denies any and all wrongdoing pertaining to a piece of broken fingernail that he may or may not have found at the alleged crime scene. Yesterday, however, the jury was shown a picture of Clarkson's right hand, which showed a chunk of nail missing from her thumb.  Read More

· Phil Spector trial gets real ugly with coroner testimony.  Dr. Louis Pena testified on Tuesday that there were bruises on the right arm and wrist of Lana Clarkson, which he called "resistance injuries," not exactly consistent with the story of a woman who grabbed a gun and killed herself as much as it is with someone who fought with someone trying to kill her. It got worse for the Phil Spector defense team when Dr. Louis Pena testified that there was bruising on the tongue of Lana Clarkson, which would be consistent if someone shoved a gun, a Colt Cobra in this particular case, in her mouth. "The bruise is very unique and is consistent with blunt-force trauma. Something struck the tongue."  Read More

· Coroner: Clarkson's Death Was a Homicide.  The barrel of a gun may have been forced into actress Lana Clarkson's mouth, bruising her tongue before she was fatally shot, a coroner testified Tuesday in music producer Phil Spector's murder trial.  "The bruise is very unique and is consistent with blunt-force trauma. Something struck the tongue," said Dr. Louis Pena.  Read More

· Judge: Dr. Lee Hid Spector Evidence.  The judge in Phil Spector's murder trial ruled Wednesday that renowned forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee removed something from the scene where actress Lana Clarkson was shot and hid it from the prosecution.  Read More

· Spector murder jury sees grisly picture of dead actress.  This is the gruesome images shown to the jury of actress Lana Clarkson slumped dead in a chair. The jury were shown the death photos by defense attorney Bradley Brunson. [with photo Read More

· Spector denies killing actress in video.  Phil Spector, now on trial for murder, asserted in a 2005 home video interview that the statuesque Lana Clarkson was standing when a gun was fired in her mouth and that he is too short to have done it.  The video, broadcast Wednesday by the TV program "Inside Edition," also showed Spector offering $100,000 to unnamed women to take a lie detector test to prove their claims that Spector threatened them with guns.  Read More

· Phil Spector's Chauffeur Testifies He Fled Spector's Home in Fear.  Phil Spector's chauffeur testified that he fled the music producer's home after seeing his boss with a gun and the body of an actress inside - and feared he could have been shot himself.  Read More

· Spector Driver Tells of Fateful Night.  Phil Spector stepped out of his mansion with a gun in his hand at 5 a.m. four years ago and said, "I think I killed somebody," a chauffeur testified Tuesday in the record producer's trial on charges of murdering an actress. It was the first time that Adriano Desouza gave his account in public, though he has told the story to police and grand jurors.  Desouza said he looked past Spector into the foyer of his castle-like home in suburban Alhambra. "I saw the legs of the lady," he said. "I stepped inside and I saw the blood on her face."  Read More

· Waitress Tells of Spector Gun Episode.  A waitress testifying Monday in music producer Phil Spector's murder trial described him as fatherly, but also said he once escorted her and a friend out of his mansion while carrying a rifle or shotgun. Kathy Sullivan testified that she initially thought it was silly for Spector to walk them to a car with a gun, and that he looked like the cartoon character Elmer Fudd when he came downstairs with the weapon while wearing plaid. She said she had told investigators that "it was the funniest picture in the whole wide world" but also testified that once she and her friend drove away she remarked, "I'm so glad we're out of there."  Read More

· Witness Says Spector Was Not Himself.  A friend of Phil Spector testified Thursday that the music producer "was not his usual self" during a dinner date hours before actress Lana Clarkson's death at his mansion.  Rommie Davis said at Spector's murder trial that she was concerned about him because he was drinking and taking medication, calling it a "lethal combination."  Read More

· 2 more women say Spector pulled gun.  Four women who have testified in Phil Spector's murder trial described a pattern of threats with guns before the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.  "He walked up, held the gun to my face between my eyes and said, 'If you try to leave I'm going to kill you,'" Melissa Grosvenor testified Wednesday after another witness said the record producer held her hostage at gunpoint.  Read More

· Spector Defense Off the Hook, For Now.  Phil Spector's defense team can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler opted Tuesday to not issue sanctions against Spector's camp for allegedly mishandling evidence, although he concurred with the District Attorney's Office that the music producer's attorneys had improperly delayed the turning over of evidence and names of potential witnesses to prosecutors.  Read More

· Woman says Phil Spector turned 'demonic.'  A second woman has testified that Phil Spector threatened her with a gun, saying the music producer suddenly turned "demonic" after a party 18 years ago and tried to rape her.  Prosecutors called Dianne Ogden, a music talent coordinator, to support its case that Spector's pattern of threatening women with guns led to the killing of actress Lana Clarkson.  Read More

· Spector trial delayed after defense lawyer falls ill.  The murder trial of Phil Spector hit a fresh snag on Monday after a defense attorney representing the legendary music producer fell ill, court officials said. The trial will now resume on Wednesday after Spector's flamboyant lawyer Bruce Cutler was forced to seek medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.  Read More

· Trembling Spector, shrunken shadow of former genius.  Pale, gaunt, his hands trembling, Phil Spector sits silently in a Los Angeles courtroom, a shrunken shadow of the man who revolutionized pop music 40 years ago.  Read More

· Spector to rely on 'invisible witness.'  Phil Spector's defense will rely on an "invisible witness" to prove that he did not shoot actress Lana Clarkson, one of his lawyers said yesterday: science.  Science will show that Clarkson shot herself, that Spector was not standing close enough to shoot her, that his DNA was not on the gun and that his clothing bore no trace evidence to prove guilt, the defense told jurors.  Read More

· Opening Statements Begin in Spector Case.  More than four years after a beautiful actress was shot to death at Phil Spector's hilltop castle, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday that at times the music producer is "sinister and deadly." Spector appeared tense during the televised proceeding as the prosecution laid out the murder case against him in opening statements. Prosecutor Alan Jackson said Spector is someone "who, when he's confronted with the right circumstances, when he's confronted with the right situations, turns sinister and deadly."  Read More

· Jury chosen for murder trial of music legend Phil Spector.  A 12-member jury was on Thursday chosen to hear the murder trial of legendary music producer Phil Spector, which is expected to get underway in earnest next week. Nine men and three women will sit on the jury panel, which was selected after four days of questioning by prosecution and defense lawyers at the Los Angeles Superior Court.  Read More

· Spector Prosecution Files New Motions.  Prosecutors in the Phil Spector slaying case asked a judge Friday to limit the defense from suggesting shooting victim Lana Clarkson was suicidal because of a declining career.  Read More

· Prosecutors: Spector threatened ex-lover.  Prosecutors in the Phil Spector murder case have asked a judge to allow testimony from a one-time girlfriend who said the record producer pointed a gun at her head in two separate incidents decades ago.  Read More

· Murder trial begins for Phil Spector.  Jury selection began on Monday in the murder trial of pioneering rock producer Phil Spector, who came to court in Los Angeles sporting a new blond, Beatles-style shag and smiling broadly as he made his way past photographers.  The trial, delayed repeatedly since Spector was indicted in 2003, will be shown on live television amid fascination with the 1960s musical genius turned recluse who once described himself as having "devils that fight inside me."  

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· Update: Jury selection date set in Spector trial.  Jury selection will begin in March in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector, who's charged with killing actress Lana Clarkson in his suburban mansion, a judge said Tuesday.  "We have to get this to trial," said Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler, who has granted numerous postponements in the case since Spector was arrested for the Feb. 3, 2003 slaying.  Read More


· Date Set for First Leg of Spector's Civil War.  Phil Spector has another date to get ready for. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lee Smalley Edmon set an Apr. 16, 2007, trial date in the lawsuit the notorious music producer filed in September against a former assistant for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from him.  Read More

· Lawsuits Filed by Spector Can Proceed.  Record producer Phil Spector lost a bid Friday to delay court proceedings on lawsuits involving his former assistant until his murder trial is over.  Superior Court Judge Lee Smalley Edmon ruled that since Spector was first to file suit against Michelle Blaine he will have to live with the consequences of that decision.  Read More

· Phil Spector's Murder Trial Delayed Again.  The much-delayed murder trial of music producer Phil Spector was postponed again Tuesday, with a judge pushing the case back to January.  Spector's trial in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson had been set for September. But at a hastily called hearing, the judge told attorneys he had scheduled two trials for the same time and had decided to try the other case first.  Read More

· Ex-Personal Assistant Sues Phil Spector.  Record producer Phil Spector, awaiting trial for murder, is being sued for more than $5 million by his former personal assistant, whose claims include sexual harassment.  In September, the creator of rock music's "wall of sound" sued Michelle Blaine, alleging that she siphoned off hundreds of thousands of dollars from his accounts.  Read More

· Rock producer Spector says mind clouded by Taser.  Rock producer Phil Spector said in a sworn deposition made public on Friday he was sober when arrested in the shooting death of an actress but that his mind was clouded from having been zapped by police with a stun-gun.  Read More

· Judge: 'No Smoking Gun' in Spector Deposition.  Phil Spector said he made the rounds at upscale restaurants but did not drink heavily or use drugs the night actress Lana Clarkson was killed in his mansion, according to a civil trial deposition.  Spector gave now familiar facts: that he went out with two different women that night, and took them to Dan Tana's and The Grill, two upscale restaurants, before he went to House of Blues. He said he didn't drink much early in the night and left lavish tips of $100 for waiters.  Read More

· Spector Drops Suit Against Former Attorney.  Record producer Phil Spector, who is facing a murder trial, has dropped a lawsuit that claims he was cheated by his former attorney, Robert Shapiro. Spector's attorney filed a dismissal without prejudice Thursday in Superior Court. The move permits Spector to file another suit in the future if he chooses. "We're very happy because the case has been completely dismissed and Bob Shapiro has been completely vindicated," said Eric Early, Shapiro's lawyer. Spector, 65, said he gave Shapiro a $1-million retainer after his February 2003 arrest for investigation of shooting to death B-movie actress Lana Clarkson at Spector's home in suburban Alhambra.  Read More

· Spector prosecutor, now a judge, is stepping down from the case.  The lead prosecutor in the murder case against music producer Phil Spector is stepping down from the case and stepping up to the bench.  Deputy District Attorney Douglas Sortino, 46, was named a Los Angeles Superior Court judge by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday.  Read More

· Music legend Phil Spector set to go to trial on murder charges in April.  A Los Angeles judge has set a date of April 24 for the murder trial of legendary music producer Phil Spector.  Spector, 65, is charged with the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, whose body police found in the foyer of Spector's Alhambra mansion with a single gunshot wound to her head.  Spector has pleaded not guilty and is free on $1 million bail.  Read More

· Spector plans to wed if he escapes murder rap.  Troubled music producer Phil Spector plans to celebrate in style if he beats the murder charges hanging over him - he'll wed his fiancee Rachelle Short.  Spector, 64, is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his Hollywood Hills home but continues to protest his innocence with the support of his 25-year-old bride-to-be.  Read More

· Phil Spector loses key court ruling.  Phil Spector's potentially damning statements to police about the shooting death of an actress at his home can be used against the record producer at his upcoming murder trial, a judge ruled on Thursday.  Most damaging to the defense may be testimony from a police officer who says that after Spector was shot with a stun gun, wrestled to the ground and hog-tied in his foyer, not far from Clarkson's body, he said: "I didn't mean to shoot her. It was an accident."  Read More

· Prosecutors Want to Use Phil Spector's Comments.  Prosecutors in the Phil Spector murder case asked a judge to allow statements he made shortly after an actress was shot to death at his home in 2003 to be used at his trial.  Spector's lawyers have argued the statements he made after Lana Clarkson died should be thrown out because he was suffering withdrawal symptoms from seven prescription drugs when he talked to police.  The judge has said he expects the trial to begin in January.  Read More

· Dead actress' pal attacks Phil Spector's legal team over stalling tactics.  Late actress Lana Clarkson's former agent has lashed out at Phil Spector's legal team - for stalling the music producer's upcoming murder trial.  After learning the trial, which was set to begin tomorrow, is set for another delay, Clarkson's ex-publicist Edward Lozzi has blasted attorney Bruce Cutler for allegedly stalling proceedings.  Read More

· Phil Spector's bad hair day.  Music producer Phil Spector is shown in Superior Court judge Monday, May 23, 2005, in Los Angeles. A judge said Monday, he will allow four of 10 incidents of evidence in Spector's murder trial that prosecutors say illustrate the music producer's history of pulling guns on women.  Dealing the defense a potentially serious blow, a Los Angeles judge ruled Monday that four women can testify that rock legend Phil Spector had threatened them with guns more than 15 years before he allegedly shot actress Lana Clarkson in the face at his Alhambra mansion.  Read More

· Phil Spector Getting Married?  Famed record producer Phil Spector isn't going to let a murder charge prevent him from getting hitched again this weekend. Fox News is reporting that friends are on their way out to his Alhambra, Calif., estate — where he allegedly fatally shot an actress in 2003 — to witness the secret nuptials.  Read More

· Judge Sets Sept. 16 Trial Date for Spector.  A judge on Thursday set a Sept. 16 trial date for famed rock 'n' roll producer Phil Spector, who is accused of fatally shooting a B-movie actress Lana Clarkson during a fight at his home.  Read More

· Phil Spector Sued for Wrongful Death.  Famed rock 'n' roll producer Phil Spector has been named in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the mother of a B-movie actress whom Spector is accused of killing in his home.  The shooting took place after Spector "grabbed, hit, fought with ... and injured" Lana Clarkson, and after he tried to prevent her from leaving his home, the lawsuit says.  Read More

· Spector Said He Accidentally Shot Actress.  Rock music producer Phil Spector initially told police he accidentally shot actress Lana Clarkson, then later said she committed suicide, according to newly released grand jury transcripts.  Read More

· Spector transcripts to be made public.  Transcripts of grand jury hearings in the Phil Spector murder case should be made public, a judge ruled Wednesday, brushing aside vehement arguments by the defence that the documents are "full of lies." Judge Larry Paul Fidler said lawyers for the rock music producer failed to show how releasing the documents would prevent a fair and impartial jury from being chosen for the trial.  Read More

· Phil Spector Charged With Murder.  Record producer Phil Spector was charged in an indictment unsealed Monday with murder in the shooting death of a B-movie actress at his mansion last year. Spector, 64, leaned on the arm of his attorney as the indictment in the slaying of 40-year-old Lana Clarkson was read, but showed no emotion. He was allowed to remains free on $1 million bail.  Read More

· Spector granted murder case delay.  Music producer Phil Spector has been granted a court delay to give his new legal team time to prepare his defence against a murder charge. Spector, 64, denies murdering B-movie actress and club hostess Lana Clarkson at his home in February 2003. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carlos Uranga agreed to rearrange a preliminary hearing for 16 December. Mr Spector's recently-appointed lawyer Bruce Cutler said he was confident of clearing his client' s name.  Read More

· Gotti Lawyer To Rep Phil Spector.  Spector, famed for creating rock 'n' roll's "wall of sound" recording technique in the 1960s, is charged in the fatal shooting of actress Lana Clarkson at his mansion in February 2003.  After a string of high-profile lawyers, Bruce Cutler, best known for representing John Gotti, is taking over Spector's criminal case.  Read More

· Producer Phil Spector sues former attorney.  Music producer Phil Spector, charged with allegedly killing an actress, has sued his attorney for a refund of his $1 million retainer, it was reported.  Spector filed the civil suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Robert L. Shapiro, an attorney known for defending O.J. Simpson, E! Online said.  Read More

· Spector Defense Denies Hiding Fingernail.  Lawyers for music legend Phil Spector declared in court Friday that they are not hiding a fingernail from the body of the actress he's accused of killing.  Read More

· Phil Spector and chauffeur arrested after scuffle.  Music producer Phil Spector, who is awaiting trial on a murder charge, and his chauffeur were both arrested for investigation of misdemeanor battery after the two scuffled Friday at Spector's mansion.  Read More

· Expert Says Spector Shooting Likely Not Suicide.  Music producer Phil Spector was the only person in his mansion when a gunshot killed "Silk Stalkings" star Lana Clarkson. Now, rumors swirl that Lana's death is likely not a suicide and sex may have been a factor.  Read More

· Spector's Lawyers: It Was Suicide.  Attorney for Spector says "The theory cannot be that Philip Spector somehow was able to walk up to this woman, put a gun inside her mouth, and shoot the gun without any defensive measures from Ms. Clarkson."  Read More

· Actress May Have Shot Self in Spector Case.  An actress killed at music producer Phil Spector's home was shot with a gun inside her mouth and had gunshot residue on both hands, indicating she may have fired the weapon, according to a coroner's report.  Read More

· Coroner: Spector May Not Have Shot Victim.  "Analysis revealed several highly specific particles and many consistent particles of gunshot residue on both the right and left hand. ... Therefore, the decedent may have discharged a firearm or had (her) hands otherwise in an environment of gunshot residue," the Coroner's report said.  Read More

· Phil Spector's Lawyers Refuse to Share Evidence.  Phil Spector's lawyers said Friday they have no obligation to share with the prosecution a piece of evidence discovered after sheriff's detectives left the music producer's mansion after investigating the fatal shooting of an actress.  Read More

· Prosecutors: Spector Camp Is Withholding Physical Evidence.  The defense in music producer Phil Spector's murder case has refused to turn over a torn piece of the victim's fingernail, blackened with gunpowder residue, prosecutors said in court documents released Wednesday.  Read More

· Phil Spector replaces lawyer, hires Leslie Abramson to defend him.  Music producer Phil Spector has hired Leslie Abramson, one of the nation's best known and most colorful criminal defense lawyers, to handle his murder case, ending his relationship with Robert Shapiro, Abramson said.  Read More

· Prosecutors ask for mystery evidence in Spector case.  Prosecutors in the Phil Spector murder case want the defense to reveal mystery evidence that "had been overlooked at the crime scene."  Read More

· Woman claims Phil Spector forced sex at gunpoint.  Los Angeles Sheriff's officers want to question a New York woman who claims record producer Phil Spector once forced her at gunpoint to perform oral sex.  Read More

· Grisly scene at site of Phil Spector murder.  Court records show that authorities found broken teeth and the body of an actress shot in the mouth when they came to record producer Phil Spector's home after a 911 call.  Read More

· Record Producer Phil Spector Charged With Murder.  Record producer Phil Spector was charged Thursday with one count of murder in the death of Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra home.  Read More

· Phil Spector's bail extended again.  Phil Spector's $1 million bail has been extended again until January 9 while the investigation into the death of actress LANA CLARKSON continues.  Read More

· Search Warrants In Spector Murder Case To Stay Sealed.  One of the search warrants executed after B-movie actress Lana Clarkson's shooting death at record producer Phil Spector's Alhambra, Calif., mansion will stay sealed until at least Nov. 12.

Clarkson, 40, died of a gunshot wound to the "head and neck" and was "shot by another."  Read More

· Phil Spector Might Flee The Country.  The New York Daily News reports that legendary '60s record producer Phil Spector, who was arrested in February on suspicion of killing actress Lana Clarkson at his California mansion, may have plans to flee the U.S. before his October 31 hearing.  Read More

· Phil Spector's Bail Extended to Nov. 3  Record producer Phil Spector has had his one million dollar bail extended until November third while a decision is being made on whether he will be charged in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.  Read More

· Death of Actress in Spector Case a Homicide.  The February shooting death of an actress at the home of record producer Phil Spector was ruled a homicide Monday by the coroner's office.  Read More

· BREAKING!  Police conclude Spector shot actress.  Police investigating the death of actress Lana Clarkson say they have concluded that legendary record producer Phil Spector was responsible for her shooting.  Read More

 Lana Clarkson's Family Cries Foul.  Spector has gone on a rampage declaring that Lana Clarkson, found dead in his home last February, killed herself by putting a loaded gun in her mouth.  more...

 
Phil Spector Says Slain Actress 'Kissed The Gun' Before Killing Herself.  The producer told Esquire magazine that Clarkson "kissed the gun" before pulling the trigger.  "I have no idea why," he said in the magazine's July issue. "I never knew her, never even saw her before that night."  more...

 
L.A. Police Want Spector Interview Too.  Legendary rock producer Phil Spector has told Esquire Magazine that actress Lana Clarkson killed herself in his Los Angeles mansion by putting a gun in her mouth and blowing her head off -- details about the death he apparently hasn't shared with police.  more...

 
Family of Woman Shot at Spector Home in Limbo.  The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has remained mum on the case. A planned arraignment for March 3 was skipped, and now August 1 has been set has the due date.  more...

 
Actor 'shot herself': Spector.  POP legend Phil Spector says a B-movie actor found dead in his mansion committed suicide.  In a bizarre e-mail circulating Hollywood, the record producer - on $1 million bail and likely to be charged with first-degree murder - says Lana Clarkson, 40, shot herself in the face.  more...

 
Spector Boasts: "I Told You So!"  more...

 
Police: Spector victim did not kill herself.  more...

 
Not an "accidental suicide" as E-mail states.   more...

 
Suicide ruled out in Spector case.  more...

 
Spector's Attorney Says He'll Be Cleared.  more...

 
Phil Spector's bail bond extended as murder case remains under investigation.  more...

 
Friends and Family Mourn Lana Clarkson.  more...

 
250 Gather To Remember Clarkson.  more...

 
Family, friends pay tribute to slain actress.  more...

 
Police say Spector case could be delayed.  more...

 
Prosecutor not ready in Spector case.  more...

 
Murder case turns Spector into hot movie property.  more...

 
ABC's 'Prime Time Live' guest exploiting Clarkson.  more...

 
Clarkson death casts shadow over TV pilot season.  more...

 
Spector will contend shooting was accidental... 
Clarkson found shot in the face, slumped over in a white antique chair in the foyer of Spector's mansion.  more...


 
Spector's apparent wall of unsound.  more...

 
Spector Was in Dark Place, Friends Say.  more...

 
This Is Your Life, Phil Spector.  more...

 
'From madman to gentleman.'  more...

 
Police Building Case Against Phil Spector.  more...

 
An inside look at Lana Clarkson's life.  more...

 
Bartender saw nothing unusual.  more...

 
Spector's sons claim forced sex with girlfriend.  more...

 
Champagne toast before death for Phil's new pal.  more...

 
The Hollywood Lana knew all too well.  more...

 
Lana Clarkson: Requiem for the Barbarian Queen.   more...

 
Spector's mystery dinner date.  more...

 
Spector dined at Dan Tana's.  more...

 
Dan Tana's food menu with $39 NY Steak.  more...

 
Later, House of Blues - Sunset Strip.  more...

 
Spector surrounded by music, mystery and murder? more...

 
EX-LOVER: 'Spector drew gun on me.'  more...

 
Coroner: Spector murder victim shot in face.  more...

 
Spector resisted arrest when confronted by cops.  more...

 
Police Work to Build Murder Case Against Spector.  more...

 
Spector Ex-wife: "If I didn't leave... I was going to die."  more...

 
Ronnie Spector speaks out on GMA.  more...

 
Ex-girlfriend also recounts Spector's abusiveness.  more...

 
A quiet meal with another woman and a $500 tip.  more...

 
Page Six: ACTRESS KILLING - FATAL ATTRACTION.  more...

 
LANA'S LAST BOOZY HOURS.  more...

 
Spector killing: 'I have devils inside that fight me.'  more...

 
Why Spector Is Free on Bail after Killing.  more...

 
Killing Puzzles the Police and Spector's Friends.  more...

 
Specter Murder Case Victim Kept Dreaming.  more...

 
Clarkson's TV guest star credits.  more...

 
Spector killing: He met actress at House of Blues club near Los Angeles just hours before her death.  more...

 
Phil Spector Met Murder Victim At Club Where She Worked.  more...

 
Lana Clarkson murder, three shots fired.  more...

 
High school classmates look back on life of Clark.  more...

 
Tribute paid to murdered actress.  more...

 
Lana Clarkson Exposed (rated R).  more...

 
Phil Spector busted on first-degree murder charges.  more...

 
Spector arrested for victim killed at his mansion.  more...

 
Spector released on $1 million bail for killing.  more...

 
Victim identified as 42-year-old Lana Clarkson.  more...

 
Actress killed wanted stardom - found fame in death.  more...

 
Clarkson killing provides clues in e-messages.  more...

 
Six-foot blonde beauty had long list of TV credits.  more...

 
Clarkson was also actress for several B-movies.  more...

 
Lana Clarkson's personal website.  more...

 
O.J. attorney Robert Shapiro handling Spector case.  more...

 
Spector "booked for murder but did not confess."  more...

 
Los Angeles NBC affiliate news report.  more...

 
History of Phil Spector.  more...

 
Slide show of photos in Spector case.  more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 About Phil Spector

Phillip Spector (born December 25, 1940) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer.

 

Coming to prominence in the early 1960s, Spector became one of the most distinctive producers in the history of popular music. He was hailed in his heyday by Tom Wolfe as the "First Tycoon of Teen." The originator of the famous "Wall of Sound" production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s' girl group sound and clocked in over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965. In later years he worked with various artists, including Ike and Tina Turner, The Beatles, and Ramones with similar success. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer.

 

The 1965 song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", co-written by Phil Spector, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. air play in the 20th century. The original version was performed by The Righteous Brothers and produced by Spector.

The 1965 song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", co-written by Phil Spector, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. air play in the 20th century. The original version was performed by The Righteous Brothers and produced by Spector.


Phil Spector Easy Rider

 

Phil Spector in "Easy Rider" (1969)


There are several other writeups about Phil's life work available through Rolling Stone and SpectroPop.

"The world could use a new Phil Spector record, that's for sure." - Bob Dylan: Rolling Stone Nov/Dec 1987

http://www.philspector.com/music.html

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Phil Spector



Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26, 1939) is an American record producer and songwriter.

The originator of the "Wall of Sound" production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s' girl group sound and clocked in over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965. In later years he worked with such artists as Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ramones with similar success, including production work on the Academy Award winning Let It Be and Grammy Award winning Concert For Bangladesh soundtracks. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer.

The 1965 song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," produced and co-written by Spector for the The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. air play in the 20th century.[1]

In later years, Spector has become increasingly known for his eccentricity, reclusive temperament and obsessive behavior that culminated with a mistrial in a second-degree murder case.

Early life

Spector was born on December 26, 1939 to a lower middle class Jewish family in the Bronx in New York City.[2][3] His grandfather emigrated from Russia. Spector changed his last name from 'Spektor' to 'Spector'. [4] Spector's parents were first cousins.[5][6] As a child, Spector faced constant schoolyard bullying.[5]

Following his father's death by suicide in 1949, Spector and his mother and sister moved to Los Angeles, California in 1953, where he became involved with music, learning the guitar. At 16, he performed Lonnie Donegan's "Rock Island Line", at a talent show at Fairfax High School.[7] While there at Fairfax, he joined a loosely knit community of young aspirants, including Lou Adler, Bruce Johnston, Steve Douglas, and Sandy Nelson, the last of whom played drums on Spector's first record release, "To Know Him Is To Love Him."[8]

The Teddy Bears

The Teddy Bears

With three friends from high school, Marshall Lieb, Harvey Goldstein, and singer Annette Kleinbard, Spector formed a group, The Teddy Bears. During this period, Spector also began visiting local recording studios, and he eventually managed to win the confidence of record producer Stan Ross, co-owner of Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, who began to tutor the young man in record production and who exerted a major influence on Spector's production style.

By the spring of 1958, Spector and his bandmates had raised enough money to buy two hours of recording time at Gold Star. With Spector producing, the Teddy Bears recorded the Spector-penned "Don't You Worry My Little Pet," which helped them secure a deal with Era Records. At their next session, they recorded another song Spector had written — this one inspired by the epitaph on Spector's father's tombstone[5]. Released on Era's subsidiary label, Dore Records, "To Know Him Is to Love Him" went to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart, selling over a million copies by year's end.

Following the success of their debut, the group signed with Imperial Records, but their next single, "I Don't Need You Anymore," only reached #91. While several more recordings were released, including an album The Teddy Bears Sing!, the group never again charted in the Hot 100. The Teddy Bears went their separate ways in 1959.

Record producer

After the split, Spector's career quickly moved from performing and songwriting to production. While recording the Teddy Bears' album, Spector had met Lester Sill, a former promotion man who was a mentor to Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. His next project, the Spectors Three, was undertaken under the aegis of Sill and his partner, Lee Hazlewood. In 1960, Sill arranged for Spector to work as an apprentice to Leiber and Stoller in New York.

Spector quickly learned how to use a studio. He co-wrote the Ben E. King Top 10 hit "Spanish Harlem", with Jerry Leiber and also worked as a session musician, most notably playing the guitar solo on the The Drifters' song, "On Broadway". His own productions during this time, while less conspicuous, included releases by LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown, and Billy Storm, as well as The Top Notes' original version of "Twist and Shout".

Leiber and Stoller recommended Spector to produce Ray Peterson's "Corrina, Corrina," which reached #9 in January of 1961. Later, he produced another major hit for Curtis Lee, "Pretty Little Angel Eyes," which made it to #7.

Returning to Hollywood, Spector agreed to produce one of Lester Sill's acts. After both Liberty Records and Capitol Records turned down the master of "Be My Boy" by The Paris Sisters, Sill formed a new label, Gregmark Records, with Lee Hazlewood and released it. It only managed to reach #56, but the follow-up, "I Love How You Love Me", was a smash, reaching #5.

Philles Records

In the fall of 1961, Spector formed a new record company with Lester Sill, who by this time had ended his business partnership with Hazlewood. Philles Records combined the names of its two founders. Through Hill and Range Publishers, Spector found three groups he wanted to produce: The Ducanes, The Creations, and The Crystals. The first two signed with other companies, but Spector managed to secure The Crystals for his new label. Their first single, "There's No Other (Like My Baby)" was a success, hitting #20. Their next release, "Uptown", did even better, making it to #13.

Spector continued to work freelance with other artists. In 1962, he produced "Second Hand Love" by Connie Francis, which reached #7. In the early '60s, he briefly worked with Atlantic Records' R&B artists Ruth Brown and LaVerne Baker. Ahmet Ertegün of Atlantic paired Spector with Broadway star Jean DuShon for "Talk to Me", the b-side of which was "Tired of Trying", written by DuShon.

Spector briefly took a job as head of A&R for Liberty Records. It was while working at Liberty that he heard a song written by Gene Pitney, for whom he had produced a #41 hit, "Every Breath I Take", a year earlier. "He's a Rebel" was due to be released on Liberty by Vicki Carr, but Spector rushed into Gold Star Studios and recorded a cover version using Darlene Love on lead vocals. The record was released on Philles, attributed to The Crystals, and quickly rose to the top of the charts.

By the time "He's a Rebel" went to #1, Lester Sill was out of the company, and Spector had Philles all to himself. He created a new act, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, featuring Darlene Love and Bobby Sheen, a singer he had worked with at Liberty. The group had hits with "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" (#8), "Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts?" (#38), and "Not Too Young To Get Married" (#63). Spector also released solo material by Darlene Love in 1963. In the same year, he released "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, which went to #2.

Although predominantly a singles-based label, Philles did release a few albums, one of which was the perennial seller A Christmas Gift for You in 1963.

The Wall of Sound

Main article: Wall of Sound

Spector's trademark during that era was the so-called Wall of Sound, a production technique yielding a dense, layered effect that reproduced well on AM radio and jukeboxes. To attain this signature sound, Spector gathered large groups of musicians (playing some instruments not generally used for ensemble playing, such as electric and acoustic guitars) playing orchestrated parts — often doubling and tripling many instruments playing in unison — for a fuller sound. Spector himself called his technique "a Wagnerian approach to rock & roll: little symphonies for the kids".

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector - a trademark album employing the wall of sound.

John Lennon's Imagine is considered by some[who?] as Spector's best production of the 1970s.

 

 Comeback

In 1969, Spector made a brief return to the music business by signing a production deal with A&M Records. A Ronettes single, "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered" flopped, but Spector returned to the Hot 100 with "Black Pearl", by Sonny Charles and the Checkmates, Ltd. The record reached #13.

In 1970, Allen Klein, manager of The Beatles, brought Spector to England. While producing John Lennon's hit solo single "Instant Karma!", which went to #3, Spector was invited by Lennon and George Harrison to take on the task of turning the Beatles abandoned "Get Back" recording sessions into a usable album. Spector went to work using many of his production techniques, making significant changes to the arrangements and sound of some songs. The resulting album, Let It Be, was a massive commercial success and topped the US and UK charts. The album also yielded the #1 single, "The Long and Winding Road". Although viewed as a major creative comeback for Spector, it may also have contributed to the contentious Beatles breakup, as Spector added what some considered inappropriate choir and orchestral arrangements to Lennon's "Across the Universe", and Harrison's "I Me Mine". His overdubbing of "The Long and Winding Road" infuriated its composer, Paul McCartney, especially since the work was allegedly completed without his knowledge and without any opportunity for him to assess the results. In 2003, McCartney spearheaded the release of Let It Be... Naked, which stripped the songs of Spector's input. Spector later stated that McCartney's complaints were "bullshit" and did not stop McCartney from accepting the "Best Musical Score" award at the 1971 Academy Awards for the Let It Be soundtrack.

However, both John Lennon and George Harrison were satisfied with the results, and Let It Be led to Spector co-producing albums with both ex-Beatles. For George Harrison's multi-platinum album All Things Must Pass (#1, 1970), Spector provided a cathedral-like sonic ambiance, complete with ornate orchestrations and gospel-like choirs. The LP yielded two major hits: "My Sweet Lord" (#1) and "What Is Life" (#10). That same year, Spector co-produced John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band (#6) album, which featured a very different, sparse and raw sound.

In 1971, Spector was named director of A&R for Apple Records. He only held the post for a year, but during that time he co-produced the single "Power to the People" with John Lennon (#11), as well as Lennon's chart-topping Imagine album. The album's title track, which hit #3 upon its release and #1 after Lennon's murder, is frequently considered to be one of the greatest pop songs of all time. With George Harrison, Spector co-produced Harrison's "Bangla-Desh" (a #23 hit) and wife Ronnie Spector's "Try Some, Buy Some" (which made it to #77). Also that year, Spector recorded the music for the #1 triple album The Concert For Bangla Desh. The album later won the "Album of the Year" award at the 1972 Grammys. Despite being recorded live, Spector used up to 44 microphones simultaneously while recording to create his trademark Wall of Sound.

Lennon retained Spector for the 1971 Christmas single "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and the poorly-reviewed 1972 album Some Time In New York City (#48). Similar to the unusual pattern of success that Spector's A Christmas Gift For You experienced, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" also stalled in sales upon its initial release, only later to become a fixture on radio station playlists during the holiday season. In 1973, Spector participated in the recording sessions for what would be Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll album (#6). It was during these sessions that Spector's relationship with Lennon ended; some versions claim that the producer suffered a breakdown in the studio, brandishing a gun and disappearing with the Rock 'n' Roll tapes, although Spector biographer Dave Thompson places most of the blame on the out-of-control behavior of Lennon and his entourage. After several months, Lennon retrieved the tapes and finished the album himself.

Later years

As the seventies progressed, Spector became increasingly reclusive. The most probable and significant reason for his withdrawal, recently revealed by biographer Dave Thompson, was that Spector was seriously injured when he was thrown through the windshield of his car in a crash in Hollywood. According to a contemporary report published in the New Musical Express, Spector was almost killed, and it was only because the attending police officer detected a faint pulse that Spector was not declared dead at the scene. He was admitted to the UCLA Medical Center on the night of March 31, 1974, suffering serious head injuries which necessitated several hours of surgery with over 300 stitches to his face, and more than 400 stitches to the back of his head. His head injuries, Thompson suggests, were the reason that Spector began his habit of wearing outlandish wigs in later years.

The 1974 accident took place shortly after Spector had established the Warner-Spector label, which undertook new recordings with Dion, Cher, Harry Nilsson and others, as well as several reissues. A similar relationship with Britain's Polydor Records led to the formation of the Phil Spector International label in 1975.

After a pair of failed dirge-like singles with Cher, Spector produced Dion’s "Born To Be With You." A set of slow and mid-tempo songs recorded against a darker Wall of Sound, drenched in sinister portent, the release was initially panned and released only in the UK, but has since grown in stature.

The majority of Spector's classic Philles recordings had been out of print in the U.S. since the original label's demise, although Spector had released several Philles Records compilations in Britain. Finally, he released an American compilation of his Philles recordings in 1977 which put most of the better known Spector hits back into circulation after many years.

Spector began to re-emerge in the late 1970s, producing and co-writing a controversial 1977 album by Leonard Cohen, entitled Death of a Ladies' Man. The album angered many devout Cohen fans who were used to his stark acoustic sound versus the orchestral and choral wall of sound the album contains. Despite initial negative critiques, the album is now considered one of Cohen's best.[9] The recording of the album was fraught with difficulty; Spector reportedly mixed the album in secret studio sessions and Cohen said Spector once threatened him with a crossbow. Cohen has remarked that the end result is "grotesque", but also "semi-virtuous". Cohen, however, still includes a re-worked version of the track "Memories" in live concerts. Bob Dylan also participated in the recording of "Don't Go Home With Your Hard-On," which is the second time Spector indirectly produced Dylan - the first being Dylan's live recordings on The Concert For Bangladesh.

Spector also produced the much-publicized Ramones album, End of the Century in 1980. Similar to his work with Leonard Cohen, End of the Century received negative backlash from Ramones fans who were angered over the radio-friendly sound the album adopted. However, End of the Century contains some of the most well known and successful Ramones singles such as Rock 'n' Roll High School, Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? and their cover of a previously released Spector song for the Ronettes, Baby, I Love You[10]. He also worked with Yoko Ono in 1981, and co-produced Season of Glass, her first work after her husband's death.

Click here for a Phil Spector - A Short Tribute


Phil Spector

Jury selected for Phil Spector murder retrial

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Jury selection was completed Thursday for the murder retrial of legendary music producer Phil Spector, and main arguments in the case will be heard beginning next Wednesday, court sources said.

Spector, the eccentric musical genius who created the famous "Wall of Sound" recording technique, was accused of shooting dead an actress in his Los Angeles mansion five years ago.

He avoided conviction after a marathon, six-month trial last year that ended with a jury deadlocked 10-2 in favor of finding him guilty, and prosecutors decided to launch a new case against him.

The new jury consists of seven men and five women. Six replacement jurors must be chosen before next Wednesday, when the court hears opening statements by the defense and the public prosecutor.

The trial at Los Angeles Superior Court is expected to last between three and four months, and the fabled producer faces a minimum 15 years to life in prison if he is found guilty of second degree murder.

Prosecutors are seeking to convict Spector, 68, of murdering actress Lana Clarkson, who was found dead in the foyer of the fabled producer's home in the early hours of February 3, 2003.

At his first trial, prosecutors alleged that Spector shot Clarkson as she attempted to leave his home after meeting him for the first time only hours earlier at the Hollywood nightclub where she worked.

Defense lawyers said Clarkson, 40, best-known for her role in Roger Corman's 1985 cult classic "The Barbarian Queen" but whose career had stalled at the time of her death, killed herself.

Spector is regarded as one of the most influential figures in pop music history. In the early 1960s he was responsible for hits including "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Be My Baby" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.'"

He is famed for his work with The Beatles, Tina Turner, The Righteous Brothers, The Ronettes and The Ramones.

Full coverage »

Music producer Phil Spector, left, and his wife Rachelle Spector arrive at Los Angeles County Superior Court Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, for the start of jury selection in his murder re-trial. Spector is charged with second-degree murder in the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson, 40, at his Alhambra mansion. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)



Spector jury chosen in shadow of OJ Simpson trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in for the murder retrial of music producer Phil Spector and attorneys began searching for six alternates, revealing that the ghost of another trial — the O.J. Simpson murder case — hangs over the current proceedings.

The Spector trial is under way in a courtroom down the hall from where Simpson was acquitted 13 years ago in the slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.

And the jury consultant who aided the Las Vegas prosecution that recently won an armed robbery conviction of Simpson is now assisting Los Angeles prosecutors in picking jurors.

Spector, whose "Wall of Sound" recording technique made him a major figure in rock music, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, 40, at his home in 2003.

Spector's first trial ended last year in a 10-2 deadlock leaning toward conviction. His defense had argued that the actress, despondent about her fading career, shot herself through the mouth.

Spector, 68, has a new defense attorney, Doron Weinberg, and his theory of the case will be evident when attorneys deliver opening statements next Wednesday.

It took less than four days to select the jury, ending Thursday. Six replacement jurors must be chosen before Wednesday.

Much of the questioning of prospective alternates by Weinberg and Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson focused on Spector's celebrity and the impact the Simpson trial had on perceptions of the justice system.

Two women prospects said they watched Simpson's murder trial on TV and were shocked at the verdict.

"He seemed guilty to me," one woman, a paralegal, said. "I completely think he got off. I was upset."

Another woman, who said she followed all celebrity cases including those of Simpson, Robert Blake and Spector's first trial, had written on her jury selection questionnaire that celebrities tend to manipulate the law. Asked what she meant, she said, "I meant their lawyers. I felt they manipulated the system. I think they sometimes took people's eyes off what happened and distracted them."

Weinberg asked: "So your opinion was the defendants were clearly guilty?"

"Sitting in my house, yes," she said.

"And you thought the lawyers were being dishonest and tried to fool the jury?" he asked.

The woman hesitated and answered, "I was judging from my living room. I learned a lot here these last few days. I don't think you'd do that."

She said she watched "everything" in the first Spector trial and concluded he was guilty. But she added she would have a hard time finding him or anyone else guilty.

"I would have a hard time with someone going to jail for the rest of his life," she said.

Another woman said she knew little about the case but recognized the defendant.

"I just know him from the hair," she said of Spector, who has been known for his wild hairdos.

"I saw him and I thought I could do a good hair style for him," she said to laughter. The woman said she is a retired cosmetologist.

Looking over at Spector, whose hair was in a more subdued shoulder-length bob, she said, "It looks better now."

At day's end, she and the two women who spoke about Simpson had been dismissed and selection of the alternate panel was to resume Monday.

Spector tells BBC he feels hounded

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Music producer Phil Spector appears in what the BBC said is his first major television interview on Saturday, claiming he has been "hounded".

As his retrial for the murder of Lana Clarkson approaches, the Arena programme explores the career of one of the most influential figures in pop music.

The 68-year-old recluse's first trial resulted in a jury deadlock. He denies killing the 40-year-old movie actress at his mansion in 2003.

The "unprecedented material", shot in March last year, explores the rage behind Spector's music. It intersperses his interview with footage of his previous trial, playing some of his greatest hits over the top of court proceedings.

Spector told the programme it was "the verdict that concerns me", saying pre-trial publicity meant many in the previous jury selection panel thought he was guilty or insane.

<a href="http://ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID=0000bc74b21ff1a100000000/AAMSZ=452x118/SITE=THISISSCUN/AREA=ENTERTAINMENT/SUBAREA=SHOWBIZ/ARTICLE=426973/acc_random=7525817500/pageid=/RS=" target="_blank"> <img src="http://iad.anm.co.uk/anmdefaultad.gif" alt="Click here!" border="0" width="452" height="118" /> </a>

The documentary was filmed in Spector's home, in front of the piano he bought with John Lennon to play in the video for Imagine.

Spector, famed for his Wall Of Sound recording technique, said he never considered himself an "outlaw" and always wanted to be accepted.

He said "I'm very much hounded" and told how he always had security as "it tends to keep the riff-raff away".

Jury chosen for Spector retrial
By AP


Phil Spector (AP File)

LOS ANGELES -- A jury has been selected for the murder retrial of music pioneer Phil Spector.

Attorneys immediately began questioning more prospective jurors Thursday to find six alternates.

Opening statements are scheduled for later this month, and the trial is expected to last until January.

Spector is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson five years ago. A mistrial was declared in the recording innovator’s first trial a year ago when jurors could not reach a decision.

His lawyers argued that Clarkson was despondent about her fading career and shot herself.

Spector jury chosen in shadow of OJ Simpson trial
The Associated Press - Oct 24, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in for the murder retrial of music producer Phil Spector and attorneys began searching for ...
Jury selected for Phil Spector murder retrial
AFP - Oct 23, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Jury selection was completed Thursday for the murder retrial of legendary music producer Phil Spector, and main arguments in the case ...
Spector tells BBC he feels hounded
This is Scunthorpe, UK - Oct 24, 2008
Music producer Phil Spector appears in what the BBC said is his first major television interview on Saturday, claiming he has been "hounded". ...
Jury chosen for Spector retrial
Jam! Showbiz, Canada - Oct 23, 2008
By AP LOS ANGELES -- A jury has been selected for the murder retrial of music pioneer Phil Spector. Attorneys immediately began questioning more prospective ...

Recent work

Spector remained inactive throughout most of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. He attempted to work with Céline Dion on her album Falling Into You, but that fell through. His most recent released project has been "Silence Is Easy" by Starsailor, released in 2003. He was originally supposed to produce the entire album, but was fired owing to personal and creative differences — however, one of the two Spector-produced songs on the album was a U.K. top 10 single. Plans to work with The Vines were halted because of his murder trial.[citation needed]

The latest song to be produced by Spector is a track by singer-songwriter, Hargo. The track, "Crying For John Lennon", originally appears on Hargo's 2006 album In Your Eyes, but on a visit to Spector's mansion for an interview for the John Lennon tribute movie, Strawberry Fields, Hargo played Spector the song and asked him to produce it. Spector and former Paul McCartney drummer Graham Ward produced it in the classic wall of sound style on nights after his murder trial. [11]

In December 2007, the song B Boy Baby by Mutya Buena and Amy Winehouse featured melodic and lyrical passages heavily influenced from the Ronettes song Be My Baby. As a result, Spector was given a song writing credit on the single. Contrary to popular belief, the sections from Be My Baby are sung by Winehouse, not directly sampled from the mono single.[12] Winehouse has made reference to her admiration of Spector's work with 1960s girl groups. She is known to cover Spector's first hit, To Know Him Is To Love Him.[13]

Also in December 2007, Spector attended the funeral for Ike Turner whom he previously produced in the mid-late 1960s with his then wife Tina Turner. While delivering a eulogy, Spector lashed out at Tina Turner and stated that "Ike made Tina the jewel she was. When I went to see Ike play at the Cinegrill in the 90s…there were at least five Tina Turners on the stage performing that night, any one of them could have been Tina Turner.” Spector then lashed out at Oprah Winfrey for promoting Tina Turner's autobiography that "demonized and vilified Ike."[14]

In mid-April 2008, BBC2 will be broadcasting a special entitled, Phil Spector: The Agony and The Ecstasy. It will consist of Spector's first screen interview - breaking a long stage of media silence. The network states that Spector will pledge to clear his name of the murder charges against him. He will speak, too, about the musical instincts that led him to create some of the most enduring hit records of all time, from 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' to 'River Deep, Mountain High' and The Beatles album Let it Be.[15]

 Influence

Many producers have tried to emulate the Wall of Sound, and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys—a fellow adherent of mono recording—considered Spector his main competition as a studio artist. Bruce Springsteen emulated the Wall of Sound technique in his recording of "Born to Run". Shoegazing, a British musical movement in the late 1980s and mid 1990s, was heavily influenced by the Wall of Sound. Les Fradkin has a production style that has been influenced by and favorably compared to Spector- most significantly with Fradkin's "Spirit of Christmas" CD released in 2006.

For his contributions to the music industry, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #63 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[16]

Spector's early musical influences included Latin music in general, and Latin percussion in particular. This is is keenly perceptible in many, if not all, of Spector's recordings from the percussion in many of his hit songs: shakers, guiros (gourds) and maracas in "Be My Baby," and the son montuno in "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," heard clearly in the song's bridge played by session bassist Carol Kaye while the same repeating refrain is played on harpsichord by keyboardist Larry Knechtel. Phil would visit Spanish Harlem clubs and schools to hone his listening and practical skills. He would ask his pre-teen coffee boy from "El Barrio," Roberto Tirado, to borrow his parents' best Puerto Rican recordings in order to listen to these at odd times. Unknowingly, Phil instilled some of his musical influence on little Roberto as he also became enmeshed in the music field later as an adult.

The Beach Boys paid tribute to Spector in the lyrics of their song "Mona":

The character of Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzell in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, a 1970 Russ Meyer film, is based upon Spector, though neither Meyer nor screenwriter Roger Ebert had met him.

Eccentricity

Spector has had many conflicts, sometimes bizarre, with the artists, songwriters and promoters he has worked with. Describing the dissolution of their Philles Records partnership, Lester Sill said, "I sold out for a pittance. It was shit, ridiculous, around $60,000. I didn't want to but I had to. Let me tell you, I couldn't live with Phillip . . . I just wanted the fuck out of there. If I wouldn't have, I would have killed him. It wasn't worth the aggravation."

As a peevish farewell gesture, shortly after Lester Sill's departure from Philles Records, Spector wrote, and had The Crystals record, a single entitled "(Let's Dance) The Screw". Six minutes long and completely lacking Spector's customary Wall of Sound production techniques, "The Screw" was neither releasable (by 1963 music industry standards) nor intended for general release. Indeed, only a handful of copies of the single were pressed, one of which Spector had delivered to Sill as a parting shot at his former partner. (Legend has it that the recording of "The Screw" served a second purpose: to cheat Sill out of royalties due him from sales of the next Philles recording. However, this claim is considered unlikely.) [2] It has also been said that Spector brought one of his own lawyers into the recording studio to yell out the chorus of the song ( "—do the screw!" ). Both Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love have included stories of poor treatment towards his artists in their autobiographies.

Spector's domineering attitude toward Ronnie Spector led to the dissolution of their marriage. Ronnie Spector has claimed that Spector showed her a gold coffin with a glass top in his basement, promising to kill and display her should she ever choose to leave him; he had earlier forbidden her from speaking to the Rolling Stones or touring with the Beatles, for fear of infidelity. During Spector's reclusive period in the late 1960s, he reportedly kept his wife locked inside their mansion. She claimed he also hid her shoes to dissuade her from walking outside, and kept the house dark because he didn't want anyone to see his balding head. Spector's son later claimed that he was kept locked inside his room, with a pot in the corner to be used as a toilet. Ronnie Spector did leave the producer and filed for divorce in 1972. She wrote a book about her experiences, and said years later, "I can only say that when I left in the early '70s, I knew that if I didn't leave at that time, I was going to die there." In 1998, Ronnie Spector and the other Ronettes sued Phil Spector for allegedly cheating them of royalties and licensing fees, winning a $3 million judgment; however, an appeals court later reversed the decision, upholding the terms of the group's 1963 contract as binding. In 2007, Ronnie Spector discussed her Ronettes' much-delayed entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: "He wrote the Hall of Fame to tell them not to put me in. He did everything he could to stop me. He's bitter that I left him. He wants everyone to think he's the mastermind. He thought everything was because of him."[17]

Stories of Phil Spector's gunplay mounted over the years, including his discharging a firearm while in the studio with John Lennon during the recording of his cover album Rock 'n' Roll, placing a loaded pistol at Leonard Cohen's head during the sessions for Death of a Ladies' Man, and forcing Dee Dee Ramone to play bass guitar to Spector's specifications at gunpoint. Cohen told Rolling Stone magazine in 1978 that, "Phil couldn't resist annihilating me. I don't think he can tolerate any other shadows in his darkness."

The Ramones reportedly had to play the opening chord to the song, "Rock and Roll High School", for eight hours straight; years later, Johnny Ramone described Spector as "a little man with lifts in his shoes, the wig on top of his head and four guns". But he also described the session philosophically: "It was a positive learning experience. And that chord does sound really good." Marky Ramone said, "A lot of these things were overblown, and a lot of these things were alcohol-induced."


Murder charges

On February 3, 2003, Spector was arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of 40-year-old nightclub hostess and actress Lana Clarkson of Los Angeles was found at his mansion, Pyrenees Castle, in Alhambra, California.[18] Police responded to a 9-1-1 phone call from Spector's driver and discovered Clarkson, who had been shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene. On November 20, 2003, Spector was indicted for Clarkson's murder. In September 2004 he was ordered to stand trial in Los Angeles.

Spector has stated that Clarkson's death was an "accidental suicide".[18] However, on October 28, 2005, a judge ruled that potentially damning statements Spector allegedly made to police could be used against him at trial. Spector's lawyers had sought to suppress an apparent statement made by Spector after Clarkson was found dead. Spector allegedly said, "I think I killed somebody." His lawyer argued that comments attributed to the music producer should be thrown out because he was suffering from prescription-drug withdrawal symptoms at the time. Two months before the night of the crime in question, Spector had stated in an interview with the British Daily Telegraph that he had bipolar disorder and that he considered himself "relatively insane".[19][20] The judge has also ruled that transcripts from a deposition Spector made several months before Clarkson's death could also be introduced by the prosecution at trial.

Prior to and during the trial itself, Spector went through at least three sets of attorneys. Defense attorney Robert Shapiro, an original O.J. Simpson "dream team" member, was first to represent Spector at his arraignment and early pre-trial hearings. Shapiro also arranged for his release on $1 million bail. Spector eventually fired and entered in a civil suit with Shapiro in order to re-claim a $1 million retainer paid to the defense attorney.[21] In December 2005, Spector dropped all claims against Shapiro.[22] Shapiro was replaced by Leslie Abramson and Marcia Morrissey. They, in turn, were later replaced by Bruce Cutler, the former long-time lawyer of New York City mafia boss John Gotti.[23] Cutler left Spector's defense on August 27, 2007 claiming "a difference of opinion between Mr. Spector and me on strategy." Attorney Linda Kenney Baden then became lead lawyer for closing arguments.[24]


The trial

Spector remained free on $1 million bail while awaiting trial, which had been scheduled to begin on April 24, 2006, but had been postponed several times since then, first to January 16, 2007, then to March 5 and finally to March 19. On February 16, 2007, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler stated that he would allow Spector's trial to be televised, though he also indicated that he would reverse course should the media abuse this access.[25]

Jury selection began Monday, March 19, 2007 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. Three hundred prospective jurors were screened over two days. Those not granted hardship exemptions by Fidler completed 18-page questionnaires including queries as to whether celebrities are entitled to act as they please, and whether police treat celebrities with greater leniency. Voir dire began April 16, 2007. A jury of nine men and three women (along with four male and three female alternate jurors) were sworn in on April 19, 2007. A list of possible witnesses shown to prospective jurors included long-time Spector studio associates Hal Blaine and Nino Tempo, limo driver Adriano de Souza and writer Anne Beatts.[26] Opening statements in the trial began April 25, 2007 in Los Angeles.

Since the beginning of the trial, controversy had surrounded it. Famed forensic expert Henry Lee (who provided key evidence in the O. J. Simpson trial) was accused of hiding crucial evidence that the District Attorney's office claimed could prove Spector's guilt.[27] Furthermore, a coroner who examined Clarkson's body concluded that bruising on her tongue indicated that the gun was shoved in her mouth.[28] Despite these setbacks, Spector's defense team had a breakthrough on June 12, 2007 when the Los Angeles Sheriff's criminalist DNA expert stated that only Clarkson's DNA was found on the handgun, which aided Spector's defense that she shot herself. The DNA expert also found none of Spector's DNA on Clarkson's fingernails, which hurt the prosecution's argument that Clarkson struggled with Spector.[29]

On September 18, 2007, the jury reported that they had "reached an impasse" and judge Fidler adjourned the case for attorneys to review the position. The jury was split 7-5; however, no indication was given as to which side was which. Fidler stated he would consider whether or not the charge of involuntary manslaughter would fit the profile of the case.[30] At the urging of the defense, Fidler, however, decided against the addition of the lesser included charge as he considered it tantamount to an instruction to convict.[31] On September 20, 2007, the jury resumed deliberations. Prior to the deliberation, Fidler removed "Special Instruction 3", which he characterized as a misstatement of the law.

The charge in the case against Spector was second-degree murder. Spector could have received a 15-year-to-life sentence (with another ten years added automatically since the crime involved a gun) if convicted.[18]

On September 26, 2007 at 1:45pm PST, the jury stated that it could not reach a verdict. The jurors announced a deadlock of ten for guilty and two for not guilty. Judge Fidler then declared a mistrial in the murder case against Phil Spector.[32][33]


Ongoing proceedings

The judge and lawyers met on October 3, 2007, to discuss future proceedings. Sandi Gibbons, the spokeperson for the District Attorney's office, has confirmed that preparations are being made to retry Spector immediately.[32]

In early December 2007, it was announced that San Francisco lawyer Doron Weinberg had agreed to serve as Spector's attorney and had proposed that the retrial begin in September 2008. The only remaining member of Spector's defense team is Christopher Plourd, who Weinberg told Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler will not be available to resume the case until the autumn of 2008. All of the remaining members of Spector's previous defense team have either resigned or were dismissed after the mistrial.[34] Also, in the same month, Spector decided to once again sue former attorney Robert Shapiro for a one million dollar retainer paid before the first trial. Spector also claimed that Shapiro inadequately prepared the trial and may have been responsible for the prosecution filing charges in the first place.[35]

On April 11, 2008, Spector lost another battle in his bid to disqualify the judge presiding at his murder retrial. Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler, who presided over Spector's 2007 mistrial, has been accused by the defense as showing a bias against Spector. A state appellate panel refused to order the appointment of a neutral judge to determine whether Judge Fidler should be removed from the retrial of the case. Fidler previously refused to remove himself from the retrial.[36]

Jury selection in the murder retrial began on October 20, 2008.[37]

Family

Spector was married to Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett, former lead singer of The Ronettes, a girl group that he had managed and produced, from 1963 to 1974. They adopted three children:

  • Louis Phillip Spector [Twin]- Born May 12, 1966 (Adopted: age 5)
  • Gary Phillip Spector [Twin]- Born May 12, 1966 (Adopted: age 5)
  • Donté Phillip Spector - Born March 23, 1969 (Adopted: age 8 Months).

Other children:

  • Nicole Audrey Spector [Twin]- 1982
  • Phillip Spector Jr. [Twin]- 1982 (died of leukemia December 25, 1991)[38]

Spector married aspiring singer and actress Rachelle Short on September 1, 2006.

Trivia

Phil Spector

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Phil Spector
[[Image:?|220px|]]
Background information
Birth name Harvey Phillip Spektor
Born December 26, 1939 (age 68)(1939-12-26)
Origin The Bronx, New York City, USA
Genre(s) Pop, girl group, rock, punk
Occupation(s) record producer, songwriter, session musician
Instrument(s) Guitar, piano
Years active 1958 – present
Label(s) Philles Records
Associated acts The Ronettes
The Crystals
Darlene Love
The Righteous Brothers
John Lennon
The Teddy Bears
Ike and Tina Turner
George Harrison
Ramones
The Beatles (Let It Be)
Leonard Cohen
Ben E. King
Gene Pitney
Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
The Wrecking Crew
Starsailor
Website philspector.com

Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26, 1939) is an American record producer and songwriter.

The originator of the "Wall of Sound" production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s' girl group sound and clocked in over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965. In later years he worked with such artists as Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ramones with similar success, including production work on the Academy Award winning Let It Be and Grammy Award winning Concert For Bangladesh soundtracks. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer.

The 1965 song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," produced and co-written by Spector for the The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. air play in the 20th century.[1]

In later years, Spector has become increasingly known for his eccentricity, reclusive temperament and obsessive behavior that culminated with a mistrial in a second-degree murder case.

Contents

Early life

Spector was born on December 26, 1939 to a lower middle class Jewish family in the Bronx in New York City.[2][3] His grandfather emigrated from Russia. Spector changed his last name from 'Spektor' to 'Spector'. [4] Spector's parents were first cousins.[5][6] As a child, Spector faced constant schoolyard bullying.[5]

Following his father's death by suicide in 1949, Spector and his mother and sister moved to Los Angeles, California in 1953, where he became involved with music, learning the guitar. At 16, he performed Lonnie Donegan's "Rock Island Line", at a talent show at Fairfax High School.[7]Lou Adler, Bruce Johnston, Steve Douglas, and Sandy Nelson, the last of whom played drums on Spector's first record release, "To Know Him Is To Love Him."[8] While there at Fairfax, he joined a loosely knit community of young aspirants, including

The Teddy Bears

The Teddy Bears

With three friends from high school, Marshall Lieb, Harvey Goldstein, and singer Annette Kleinbard, Spector formed a group, The Teddy Bears. During this period, Spector also began visiting local recording studios, and he eventually managed to win the confidence of record producer Stan Ross, co-owner of Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, who began to tutor the young man in record production and who exerted a major influence on Spector's production style.

By the spring of 1958, Spector and his bandmates had raised enough money to buy two hours of recording time at Gold Star. With Spector producing, the Teddy Bears recorded the Spector-penned "Don't You Worry My Little Pet," which helped them secure a deal with Era Records. At their next session, they recorded another song Spector had written — this one inspired by the epitaph on Spector's father's tombstone[5]. Released on Era's subsidiary label, Dore Records, "To Know Him Is to Love Him" went to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart, selling over a million copies by year's end.

Following the success of their debut, the group signed with Imperial Records, but their next single, "I Don't Need You Anymore," only reached #91. While several more recordings were released, including an album The Teddy Bears Sing!, the group never again charted in the Hot 100. The Teddy Bears went their separate ways in 1959.

Record producer

After the split, Spector's career quickly moved from performing and songwriting to production. While recording the Teddy Bears' album, Spector had met Lester Sill, a former promotion man who was a mentor to Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. His next project, the Spectors Three, was undertaken under the aegis of Sill and his partner, Lee Hazlewood. In 1960, Sill arranged for Spector to work as an apprentice to Leiber and Stoller in New York.

Spector quickly learned how to use a studio. He co-wrote the Ben E. King Top 10 hit "Spanish Harlem", with Jerry Leiber and also worked as a session musician, most notably playing the guitar solo on the The Drifters' song, "On Broadway". His own productions during this time, while less conspicuous, included releases by LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown, and Billy Storm, as well as The Top Notes' original version of "Twist and Shout".

Leiber and Stoller recommended Spector to produce Ray Peterson's "Corrina, Corrina," which reached #9 in January of 1961. Later, he produced another major hit for Curtis Lee, "Pretty Little Angel Eyes," which made it to #7.

Returning to Hollywood, Spector agreed to produce one of Lester Sill's acts. After both Liberty Records and Capitol Records turned down the master of "Be My Boy" by The Paris Sisters, Sill formed a new label, Gregmark Records, with Lee Hazlewood and released it. It only managed to reach #56, but the follow-up, "I Love How You Love Me", was a smash, reaching #5.

Philles Records

In the fall of 1961, Spector formed a new record company with Lester Sill, who by this time had ended his business partnership with Hazlewood. Philles Records combined the names of its two founders. Through Hill and Range Publishers, Spector found three groups he wanted to produce: The Ducanes, The Creations, and The Crystals. The first two signed with other companies, but Spector managed to secure The Crystals for his new label. Their first single, "There's No Other (Like My Baby)" was a success, hitting #20. Their next release, "Uptown", did even better, making it to #13.

Spector continued to work freelance with other artists. In 1962, he produced "Second Hand Love" by Connie Francis, which reached #7. In the early '60s, he briefly worked with Atlantic Records' R&B artists Ruth Brown and LaVerne Baker. Ahmet Ertegün of Atlantic paired Spector with Broadway star Jean DuShon for "Talk to Me", the b-side of which was "Tired of Trying", written by DuShon.

Spector briefly took a job as head of A&R for Liberty Records. It was while working at Liberty that he heard a song written by Gene Pitney, for whom he had produced a #41 hit, "Every Breath I Take", a year earlier. "He's a Rebel" was due to be released on Liberty by Vicki Carr, but Spector rushed into Gold Star Studios and recorded a cover version using Darlene Love on lead vocals. The record was released on Philles, attributed to The Crystals, and quickly rose to the top of the charts.

By the time "He's a Rebel" went to #1, Lester Sill was out of the company, and Spector had Philles all to himself. He created a new act, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, featuring Darlene Love and Bobby Sheen, a singer he had worked with at Liberty. The group had hits with "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" (#8), "Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts?" (#38), and "Not Too Young To Get Married" (#63). Spector also released solo material by Darlene Love in 1963. In the same year, he released "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, which went to #2.

Although predominantly a singles-based label, Philles did release a few albums, one of which was the perennial seller A Christmas Gift for You in 1963.

The Wall of Sound

Main article: Wall of Sound

Spector's trademark during that era was the so-called Wall of Sound, a production technique yielding a dense, layered effect that reproduced well on AM radio and jukeboxes. To attain this signature sound, Spector gathered large groups of musicians (playing some instruments not generally used for ensemble playing, such as electric and acoustic guitars) playing orchestrated parts — often doubling and tripling many instruments playing in unison — for a fuller sound. Spector himself called his technique "a Wagnerian approach to rock & roll: little symphonies for the kids".

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector - a trademark album employing the wall of sound.

While Spector directed the overall sound of his recordings, he took a relatively hands-off approach to working with the musicians themselves (usually a core group that became known as The Wrecking Crew, including session players such as Hal Blaine, Steve Douglas, Carol Kaye, Glen Campbell, and Leon Russell), delegating arrangement duties to Jack Nitzsche and having Sonny Bono oversee the performances, viewing these two as his "lieutenants".

Spector frequently used songs from songwriters employed at the Brill Building (Trio Music) and at 1650 Broadway (Aldon Music), such as the teams of Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Spector often worked with the songwriters, receiving co-credit for compositions.

Spector was already known as a temperamental and quirky personality with strong, often unconventional ideas about musical and recording techniques. Despite the trend towards multi-channel recording, Spector was vehemently opposed to stereo releases, claiming that it took control of the record's sound away from the producer in favor of the listener. Spector also greatly preferred singles to albums, describing LPs as, "two hits and ten pieces of junk".

The first time Spector put the same amount of effort into an LP as he did into 45s was when he utilized the full Philles roster and the Wrecking Crew to make what he felt would become a hit for the 1963 Christmas season. A Christmas Gift for You arrived in stores the day of the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The somber mood of the country may have contributed to the album being a flop in its initial release. Despite its initially poor reception, selections from the album are now Yuletide mainstays on radio stations, and the album has since been a regular seller during the holiday season.

The mid-Sixties

In 1964, The Ronettes appeared at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Also on the bill were The Righteous Brothers. Spector, who was conducting the band for all the acts, was so impressed with Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield that he bought their contract from Moonglow Records and signed them to Philles. In early 1965, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", became the label's second #1 single. Three more major hits with the group followed: "Just Once in My Life" (#9), "Unchained Melody" (originally the B side of "Hung On You") (#4) and "Ebb Tide" (#5). Despite having hits, Spector lost interest in producing The Righteous Brothers, and sold their contract and all their master recordings to Verve Records. However, the sound of The Righteous Brothers' singles was so distinctive that the act chose to replicate it after leaving Spector, notching a second #1 hit in 1966 with the Bill Medley-produced, "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration".

The Spector-produced recording of "Unchained Melody" had a second wave of popularity 25 years after its initial release, when it was featured prominently in the 1990 hit movie, Ghost. A re-release of the single re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100, and went to number one on the Adult Contemporary charts. This also put Spector (as a producer) back on the U.S. Top 40 charts for the first time since his last appearance in 1971 with John Lennon's "Imagine", although he did have U.K. top 40 hits between this time with bands like The Ramones.

Spector's final signing to Philles was the husband-and-wife team of Ike and Tina Turner in 1966. Spector considered their recording of "River Deep - Mountain High", to be his best work, but it failed to go any higher than #88 in the United States. The single, which was essentially a solo Tina Turner record, was more successful in Britain, reaching #3.

Spector subsequently lost enthusiasm for his label and the recording industry. Already something of a recluse, he withdrew temporarily from the public eye, marrying Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett, lead singer of the Ronettes, in 1968. Spector emerged briefly for a cameo as a drug dealer in the film Easy Rider, in 1969. He also appeared as himself in an episode of I Dream of Jeannie in 1967.

Comeback

In 1969, Spector made a brief return to the music business by signing a production deal with A&M Records. A Ronettes single, "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered" flopped, but Spector returned to the Hot 100 with "Black Pearl", by Sonny Charles and the Checkmates, Ltd. The record reached #13.

John Lennon's Imagine is considered by some[who?] as Spector's best production of the 1970s.

In 1970, Allen Klein, manager of The Beatles, brought Spector to England. While producing John Lennon's hit solo single "Instant Karma!", which went to #3, Spector was invited by Lennon and George Harrison to take on the task of turning the Beatles abandoned "Get Back" recording sessions into a usable album. Spector went to work using many of his production techniques, making significant changes to the arrangements and sound of some songs. The resulting album, Let It Be, was a massive commercial success and topped the US and UK charts. The album also yielded the #1 single, "The Long and Winding Road". Although viewed as a major creative comeback for Spector, it may also have contributed to the contentious Beatles breakup, as Spector added what some considered inappropriate choir and orchestral arrangements to Lennon's "Across the Universe", and Harrison's "I Me Mine". His overdubbing of "The Long and Winding Road" infuriated its composer, Paul McCartney, especially since the work was allegedly completed without his knowledge and without any opportunity for him to assess the results. In 2003, McCartney spearheaded the release of Let It Be... Naked, which stripped the songs of Spector's input. Spector later stated that McCartney's complaints were "bullshit" and did not stop McCartney from accepting the "Best Musical Score" award at the 1971 Academy Awards for the Let It Be soundtrack.

However, both John Lennon and George Harrison were satisfied with the results, and Let It BeAll Things Must Pass (#1, 1970), Spector provided a cathedral-like sonic ambiance, complete with ornate orchestrations and gospel-like choirs. The LP yielded two major hits: "My Sweet Lord" (#1) and "What Is Life" (#10). That same year, Spector co-produced John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band (#6) album, which featured a very different, sparse and raw sound. led to Spector co-producing albums with both ex-Beatles. For George Harrison's multi-platinum album

In 1971, Spector was named director of A&R for Apple Records. He only held the post for a year, but during that time he co-produced the single "Power to the People" with John Lennon (#11), as well as Lennon's chart-topping Imagine album. The album's title track, which hit #3 upon its release and #1 after Lennon's murder, is frequently considered to be one of the greatest pop songs of all time. With George Harrison, Spector co-produced Harrison's "Bangla-Desh" (a #23 hit) and wife Ronnie Spector's "Try Some, Buy Some" (which made it to #77). Also that year, Spector recorded the music for the #1 triple album The Concert For Bangla Desh. The album later won the "Album of the Year" award at the 1972 Grammys. Despite being recorded live, Spector used up to 44 microphones simultaneously while recording to create his trademark Wall of Sound.

Lennon retained Spector for the 1971 Christmas single "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and the poorly-reviewed 1972 album Some Time In New York City (#48). Similar to the unusual pattern of success that Spector's A Christmas Gift For You experienced, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" also stalled in sales upon its initial release, only later to become a fixture on radio station playlists during the holiday season. In 1973, Spector participated in the recording sessions for what would be Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll album (#6). It was during these sessions that Spector's relationship with Lennon ended; some versions claim that the producer suffered a breakdown in the studio, brandishing a gun and disappearing with the Rock 'n' Roll tapes, although Spector biographer Dave Thompson places most of the blame on the out-of-control behavior of Lennon and his entourage. After several months, Lennon retrieved the tapes and finished the album himself.

Later years

As the seventies progressed, Spector became increasingly reclusive. The most probable and significant reason for his withdrawal, recently revealed by biographer Dave Thompson, was that Spector was seriously injured when he was thrown through the windshield of his car in a crash in Hollywood. According to a contemporary report published in the New Musical Express, Spector was almost killed, and it was only because the attending police officer detected a faint pulse that Spector was not declared dead at the scene. He was admitted to the UCLA Medical Center on the night of March 31, 1974, suffering serious head injuries which necessitated several hours of surgery with over 300 stitches to his face, and more than 400 stitches to the back of his head. His head injuries, Thompson suggests, were the reason that Spector began his habit of wearing outlandish wigs in later years.

The 1974 accident took place shortly after Spector had established the Warner-Spector label, which undertook new recordings with Dion, Cher, Harry Nilsson and others, as well as several reissues. A similar relationship with Britain's Polydor Records led to the formation of the Phil Spector International label in 1975.

After a pair of failed dirge-like singles with Cher, Spector produced Dion’s "Born To Be With You." A set of slow and mid-tempo songs recorded against a darker Wall of Sound, drenched in sinister portent, the release was initially panned and released only in the UK, but has since grown in stature.

The majority of Spector's classic Philles recordings had been out of print in the U.S. since the original label's demise, although Spector had released several Philles Records compilations in Britain. Finally, he released an American compilation of his Philles recordings in 1977 which put most of the better known Spector hits back into circulation after many years.

Spector began to re-emerge in the late 1970s, producing and co-writing a controversial 1977 album by Leonard Cohen, entitled Death of a Ladies' Man. The album angered many devout Cohen fans who were used to his stark acoustic sound versus the orchestral and choral wall of sound the album contains. Despite initial negative critiques, the album is now considered one of Cohen's best.[9] The recording of the album was fraught with difficulty; Spector reportedly mixed the album in secret studio sessions and Cohen said Spector once threatened him with a crossbow. Cohen has remarked that the end result is "grotesque", but also "semi-virtuous". Cohen, however, still includes a re-worked version of the track "Memories" in live concerts. Bob Dylan also participated in the recording of "Don't Go Home With Your Hard-On," which is the second time Spector indirectly produced Dylan - the first being Dylan's live recordings on The Concert For Bangladesh.

Spector also produced the much-publicized Ramones album, End of the Century in 1980. Similar to his work with Leonard Cohen, End of the Century received negative backlash from Ramones fans who were angered over the radio-friendly sound the album adopted. However, End of the Century contains some of the most well known and successful Ramones singles such as Rock 'n' Roll High School, Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? and their cover of a previously released Spector song for the Ronettes, Baby, I Love You[10]. He also worked with Yoko Ono in 1981, and co-produced Season of Glass, her first work after her husband's death.

Recent work

Spector remained inactive throughout most of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. He attempted to work with Céline Dion on her album Falling Into You, but that fell through. His most recent released project has been "Silence Is Easy" by Starsailor, released in 2003. He was originally supposed to produce the entire album, but was fired owing to personal and creative differences — however, one of the two Spector-produced songs on the album was a U.K. top 10 single. Plans to work with The Vines were halted because of his murder trial.[citation needed]

The latest song to be produced by Spector is a track by singer-songwriter, Hargo. The track, "Crying For John Lennon", originally appears on Hargo's 2006 album In Your Eyes, but on a visit to Spector's mansion for an interview for the John Lennon tribute movie, Strawberry Fields, Hargo played Spector the song and asked him to produce it. Spector and former Paul McCartney drummer Graham Ward produced it in the classic wall of sound style on nights after his murder trial. [11]

In December 2007, the song B Boy Baby by Mutya Buena and Amy Winehouse featured melodic and lyrical passages heavily influenced from the Ronettes song Be My Baby. As a result, Spector was given a song writing credit on the single. Contrary to popular belief, the sections from Be My Baby are sung by Winehouse, not directly sampled from the mono single.[12] Winehouse has made reference to her admiration of Spector's work with 1960s girl groups. She is known to cover Spector's first hit, To Know Him Is To Love Him.[13]

Also in December 2007, Spector attended the funeral for Ike Turner whom he previously produced in the mid-late 1960s with his then wife Tina Turner. While delivering a eulogy, Spector lashed out at Tina Turner and stated that "Ike made Tina the jewel she was. When I went to see Ike play at the Cinegrill in the 90s…there were at least five Tina Turners on the stage performing that night, any one of them could have been Tina Turner.” Spector then lashed out at Oprah Winfrey for promoting Tina Turner's autobiography that "demonized and vilified Ike."[14]

In mid-April 2008, BBC2 will be broadcasting a special entitled, Phil Spector: The Agony and The Ecstasy. It will consist of Spector's first screen interview - breaking a long stage of media silence. The network states that Spector will pledge to clear his name of the murder charges[15] against him. He will speak, too, about the musical instincts that led him to create some of the most enduring hit records of all time, from 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' to 'River Deep, Mountain High' and The Beatles album Let it Be.

Influence

Many producers have tried to emulate the Wall of Sound, and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys—a fellow adherent of mono recording—considered Spector his main competition as a studio artist. Bruce Springsteen emulated the Wall of Sound technique in his recording of "Born to Run". Shoegazing, a British musical movement in the late 1980s and mid 1990s, was heavily influenced by the Wall of Sound. Les Fradkin has a production style that has been influenced by and favorably compared to Spector- most significantly with Fradkin's "Spirit of Christmas" CD released in 2006.

For his contributions to the music industry, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #63 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[16]

Spector's early musical influences included Latin music in general, and Latin percussion in particular. This is is keenly perceptible in many, if not all, of Spector's recordings from the percussion in many of his hit songs: shakers, guiros (gourds) and maracas in "Be My Baby," and the son montuno in "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," heard clearly in the song's bridge played by session bassist Carol Kaye while the same repeating refrain is played on harpsichord by keyboardist Larry Knechtel. Phil would visit Spanish Harlem clubs and schools to hone his listening and practical skills. He would ask his pre-teen coffee boy from "El Barrio," Roberto Tirado, to borrow his parents' best Puerto Rican recordings in order to listen to these at odd times. Unknowingly, Phil instilled some of his musical influence on little Roberto as he also became enmeshed in the music field later as an adult.

The Beach Boys paid tribute to Spector in the lyrics of their song "Mona":

The character of Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzell in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, a 1970 Russ MeyerRoger Ebert had met him. film, is based upon Spector, though neither Meyer nor screenwriter

Eccentricity

Spector has had many conflicts, sometimes bizarre, with the artists, songwriters and promoters he has worked with. Describing the dissolution of their Philles Records partnership, Lester Sill said, "I sold out for a pittance. It was shit, ridiculous, around $60,000. I didn't want to but I had to. Let me tell you, I couldn't live with Phillip . . . I just wanted the fuck out of there. If I wouldn't have, I would have killed him. It wasn't worth the aggravation."

As a peevish farewell gesture, shortly after Lester Sill's departure from Philles Records, Spector wrote, and had The Crystals record, a single entitled "(Let's Dance) The Screw". Six minutes long and completely lacking Spector's customary Wall of Sound production techniques, "The Screw" was neither releasable (by 1963 music industry standards) nor intended for general release. Indeed, only a handful of copies of the single were pressed, one of which Spector had delivered to Sill as a parting shot at his former partner. (Legend has it that the recording of "The Screw" served a second purpose: to cheat Sill out of royalties due him from sales of the next Philles recording. However, this claim is considered unlikely.) [2] It has also been said that Spector brought one of his own lawyers into the recording studio to yell out the chorus of the song ( "—do the screw!" ). Both Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love have included stories of poor treatment towards his artists in their autobiographies.

Spector's domineering attitude toward Ronnie Spector led to the dissolution of their marriage. Ronnie Spector has claimed that Spector showed her a gold coffin with a glass top in his basement, promising to kill and display her should she ever choose to leave him; he had earlier forbidden her from speaking to the Rolling Stones or touring with the Beatles, for fear of infidelity. During Spector's reclusive period in the late 1960s, he reportedly kept his wife locked inside their mansion. She claimed he also hid her shoes to dissuade her from walking outside, and kept the house dark because he didn't want anyone to see his balding head. Spector's son later claimed that he was kept locked inside his room, with a pot in the corner to be used as a toilet. Ronnie Spector did leave the producer and filed for divorce in 1972. She wrote a book about her experiences, and said years later, "I can only say that when I left in the early '70s, I knew that if I didn't leave at that time, I was going to die there." In 1998, Ronnie Spector and the other Ronettes sued Phil Spector for allegedly cheating them of royalties and licensing fees, winning a $3 million judgment; however, an appeals court later reversed the decision, upholding the terms of the group's 1963 contract as binding. In 2007, Ronnie Spector discussed her Ronettes' much-delayed entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: "He wrote the Hall of Fame to tell them not to put me in. He did everything he could to stop me. He's bitter that I left him. He wants everyone to think he's the mastermind. He thought everything was because of him."[17]

Stories of Phil Spector's gunplay mounted over the years, including his discharging a firearm while in the studio with John Lennon during the recording of his cover album Rock 'n' Roll, placing a loaded pistol at Leonard Cohen's head during the sessions for Death of a Ladies' Man, and forcing Dee Dee Ramone to play bass guitar to Spector's specifications at gunpoint. Cohen told Rolling Stone magazine in 1978 that, "Phil couldn't resist annihilating me. I don't think he can tolerate any other shadows in his darkness."

The Ramones reportedly had to play the opening chord to the song, "Rock and Roll High School", for eight hours straight; years later, Johnny Ramone described Spector as "a little man with lifts in his shoes, the wig on top of his head and four guns". But he also described the session philosophically: "It was a positive learning experience. And that chord does sound really good." Marky Ramone said, "A lot of these things were overblown, and a lot of these things were alcohol-induced."

Murder charges

On February 3, 2003, Spector was arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of 40-year-old nightclub hostess and actress Lana Clarkson of Los Angeles was found at his mansion, Pyrenees Castle, in Alhambra, California.[18] Police responded to a 9-1-1 phone call from Spector's driver and discovered Clarkson, who had been shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene. On November 20, 2003, Spector was indicted for Clarkson's murder. In September 2004 he was ordered to stand trial in Los Angeles.

Spector has stated that Clarkson's death was an "accidental suicide".[18] However, on October 28, 2005, a judge ruled that potentially damning statements Spector allegedly made to police could be used against him at trial. Spector's lawyers had sought to suppress an apparent statement made by Spector after Clarkson was found dead. Spector allegedly said, "I think I killed somebody." His lawyer argued that comments attributed to the music producer should be thrown out because he was suffering from prescription-drug withdrawal symptoms at the time. Two months before the night of the crime in question, Spector had stated in an interview with the British Daily Telegraph that he had bipolar disorder and that he considered himself "relatively insane".[19][20] The judge has also ruled that transcripts from a deposition Spector made several months before Clarkson's death could also be introduced by the prosecution at trial.

Prior to and during the trial itself, Spector went through at least three sets of attorneys. Defense attorney Robert Shapiro, an original O.J. Simpson "dream team" member, was first to represent Spector at his arraignment and early pre-trial hearings. Shapiro also arranged for his release on $1 million bail. Spector eventually fired and entered in a civil suit with Shapiro in order to re-claim a $1 million retainer paid to the defense attorney.[21] In December 2005, Spector dropped all claims against Shapiro.[22] Shapiro was replaced by Leslie Abramson and Marcia Morrissey. They, in turn, were later replaced by Bruce Cutler, the former long-time lawyer of New York City mafia boss John Gotti.[23] Cutler left Spector's defense on August 27, 2007 claiming "a difference of opinion between Mr. Spector and me on strategy." Attorney Linda Kenney Baden then became lead lawyer for closing arguments.[24]

The trial

Spector remained free on $1 million bail while awaiting trial, which had been scheduled to begin on April 24, 2006, but had been postponed several times since then, first to January 16, 2007, then to March 5 and finally to March 19. On February 16, 2007, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler stated that he would allow Spector's trial to be televised, though he also indicated that he would reverse course should the media abuse this access.[25]

Jury selection began Monday, March 19, 2007 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. Three hundred prospective jurors were screened over two days. Those not granted hardship exemptions by Fidler completed 18-page questionnaires including queries as to whether celebrities are entitled to act as they please, and whether police treat celebrities with greater leniency. Voir dire began April 16, 2007. A jury of nine men and three women (along with four male and three female alternate jurors) were sworn in on April 19, 2007. A list of possible witnesses shown to prospective jurors included long-time Spector studio associates Hal Blaine and Nino Tempo, limo driver Adriano de Souza and writer Anne Beatts.[26] Opening statements in the trial began April 25, 2007 in Los Angeles.

Since the beginning of the trial, controversy had surrounded it. Famed forensic expert Henry LeeO. J. Simpson trial) was accused of hiding crucial evidence that the District Attorney's office claimed could prove Spector's guilt.[27] Furthermore, a coroner who examined Clarkson's body concluded that bruising on her tongue indicated that the gun was shoved in her mouth.[28] Despite these setbacks, Spector's defense team had a breakthrough on June 12, 2007 when the Los Angeles Sheriff's criminalist DNA expert stated that only Clarkson's DNA was found on the handgun, which aided Spector's defense that she shot herself. The DNA expert also found none of Spector's DNA on Clarkson's fingernails, which hurt the prosecution's argument that Clarkson struggled with Spector.[29] (who provided key evidence in the

On September 18, 2007, the jury reported that they had "reached an impasse" and judge Fidler adjourned the case for attorneys to review the position. The jury was split 7-5; however, no indication was given as to which side was which. Fidler stated he would consider whether or not the charge of involuntary manslaughter would fit the profile of the case.[30] At the urging of the defense, Fidler, however, decided against the addition of the lesser included charge as he considered it tantamount to an instruction to convict.[31] On September 20, 2007, the jury resumed deliberations. Prior to the deliberation, Fidler removed "Special Instruction 3", which he characterized as a misstatement of the law.

The charge in the case against Spector was second-degree murder. Spector could have received a 15-year-to-life sentence (with another ten years added automatically since the crime involved a gun) if convicted.[18]

On September 26, 2007 at 1:45pm PST, the jury stated that it could not reach a verdict. The jurors announced a deadlock of ten for guilty and two for not guilty. Judge Fidler then declared a mistrial in the murder case against Phil Spector.[32][33]

Ongoing proceedings

The judge and lawyers met on October 3, 2007, to discuss future proceedings. Sandi Gibbons, the spokeperson for the District Attorney's office, has confirmed that preparations are being made to retry Spector immediately.[32]

In early December 2007, it was announced that San Francisco lawyer Doron Weinberg had agreed to serve as Spector's attorney and had proposed that the retrial begin in September 2008. The only remaining member of Spector's defense team is Christopher Plourd, who Weinberg told Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler will not be available to resume the case until the autumn of 2008. All of the remaining members of Spector's previous defense team have either resigned or were dismissed after the mistrial.[34] Also, in the same month, Spector decided to once again sue former attorney Robert Shapiro for a one million dollar retainer paid before the first trial. Spector also claimed that Shapiro inadequately prepared the trial and may have been responsible for the prosecution filing charges in the first place.[35]

On April 11, 2008, Spector lost another battle in his bid to disqualify the judge presiding at his murder retrial. Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler, who presided over Spector's 2007 mistrial, has been accused by the defense as showing a bias against Spector. A state appellate panel refused to order the appointment of a neutral judge to determine whether Judge Fidler should be removed from the retrial of the case. Fidler previously refused to remove himself from the retrial.[36]

Jury selection in the murder retrial began on October 20, 2008.[37]

Family

Spector was married to Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett, former lead singer of The Ronettes, a girl group that he had managed and produced, from 1963 to 1974. They adopted three children:

  • Louis Phillip Spector [Twin]- Born May 12, 1966 (Adopted: age 5)
  • Gary Phillip Spector [Twin]- Born May 12, 1966 (Adopted: age 5)
  • Donté Phillip Spector - Born March 23, 1969 (Adopted: age 8 Months).

Other children:

  • Nicole Audrey Spector [Twin]- 1982
  • Phillip Spector Jr. [Twin]- 1982 (died of leukemia December 25, 1991)[38]

Spector married aspiring singer and actress Rachelle Short on September 1, 2006.

Trivia

A rather small but significant signature left by Spector can be found on many of the singles and albums he produced over the years. A closer look at the most inner band around the label on many of his vinyl albums and singles from the 60's will reveal the text "Phil + Ronnie" etched into them.

Selected discography
Albums

 

 


Singles

 


Further reading
  • Tearing Down the Wall of Sound: The Rise and Fall of Phil Spector, by Mick Brown, ISBN 10: 0747572437
  • 'He's a Rebel: The Truth About Phil Spector – Rock and Roll's Legendary Madman, by Mark Ribowsky (biography). ISBN 0-306-81471-4.
  • "The First Tycoon of Teen", Tom Wolfe (magazine article reprinted in The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby, ISBN 0-553-38058-3, and in the Back to Mono liner notes.)
  • Out of His Head, by Richard Williams (biography). ISBN 0-7119-9864-7
  • Wall of Pain: The Biography of Phil Spector, by Dave Thompson. ISBN 1-86074-543-1
  • Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era, by Ken Emerson, (ISBN 0-670-03456-8)
  • Fuel-Injected Dreams (novel whose central character is based on Phil Spector), by James Robert Baker. ISBN 0-452-25815-4
  • References
    1. ^ "BMI Announces Top 100 Songs of the Century" from BMI website
    2. ^ Salon Brilliant Careers | Phil Spector
    3. ^ Phil Spector: Out of His Head by Richard Williams. Published in 1972.
    4. ^ BBC - Northern Ireland - Music
    5. ^ a b c From Hitmaker to Defendant, a Long and Winding Road - New York Times
    6. ^ The Phil Spector Trial : Los Angeles Times : High School classmate
    7. ^ Bronson, Fred (December 2002). Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits. Watson-Guptill Publications. ISBN 0-8230-7646-6. 
    8. ^ Larkin, Colin (March 2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Virgin Publishing. ISBN 1-85227-923-0. 
    9. ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leonardcohen/albums/album/232777/review/5944581/death_of_a_ladies_man Album Review: Death of A Ladies Man (Rolling Stone)
    10. ^ Whatever their differences, the band still namechecked Spector in the song "It's not my place ( in the 9 to 5 world)" on their next album, Pleasant Dreams
    11. ^ Phil Spector continues work in studio | News | NME.COM
    12. ^ Mutya Buena - Mutya Buena - Album Reviews - NME.COM
    13. ^ //www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAHdAVOiw6Q Amy Winehouse: To Know Him Is To Love Him (live)
    14. ^ Phil Spector criticises Tina Turner at Ike Turner's funeral | News | NME.COM
    15. ^ http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2257524,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=uknews Phil Spector breaks his silence before second trial for murder (Music Guardian)
    16. ^ "The Immortals: The First Fifty". Rolling Stone Issue 946. Rolling Stone.
    17. ^ RON-NUTS - New York Post
    18. ^ a b c CNN Newsroom
    19. ^ Moss, Corey (February 6, 2003). "Phil Spector Recently Claimed To Be 'Relatively Insane'", MTV News. Retrieved on 2006-10-30. 
    20. ^ "Court records reveal Spector 'crime scene'", Ananova. Retrieved on 2006-10-30. 
    21. ^ Deutsch, Linda (January 27, 2006). "Phil Spector's deposition to be released", Associated Press via the San Jose Mercury News.
    22. ^ Keller, Julie (December 19, 2005). "Spector Drops Lawyer Suit", E! News
    23. ^ CBS News, "Gotti Lawyer To Rep Phil Spector"
    24. ^ Phil Spector's lead lawyer leaves case
    25. ^ BBC News, "US Spector trial to be televised", Saturday, 17 February 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-09
    26. ^ Linder, Michael (March 25, 2007). "With Hollywood Hoopla, Spector Goes to Trial", KNX Newsradio.
    27. ^ Finn, Natalie (March 31, 2007). "Spector Defense Expert Decries Slanderous Attack", Yahoo News.
    28. ^ NME Los Angeles Staff (May 30, 2007). "Phil Spector Trial: Day 14", New Musical Express.
    29. ^ NME Los Angeles Staff (June 12, 2007). "Phil Spector Trial: Day 21", New Musical Express.
    30. ^ Ryan, Harriet (Accessed: September 18, 2007). "Phil Spector Murder Trial Blog on CourtTV, CourtTV.
    31. ^ Kreps, Daniel (Accessed: September 21, 2007). [1], Rolling Stone - The Phil Spector Trial: September 19, 2007
    32. ^ a b Archibold, Randal C. (2007-09-27). "Mistrial Declared in Spector Murder Case". The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
    33. ^ Davey, Jonathan (2007-09-26). "Court TV - Live video stream of Phil Spector verdict". (transcribed). Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
    34. ^ "Phil Spector finds new lawyer for murder retrial" New Musical Express
    35. ^ "The Phil Spector Trial - 4th paragraph down"Rolling Stone
    36. ^ http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_8891011 The Mercury News: Appeals court refuses Spector bid to remove LA judge from retrial (11 April 2008).
    37. ^ [http://www.nme.com/news/phil-spector/40549
    38. ^ Legend with a Bullet Vanity Fair

    External links
    Persondata
    NAME Spector, Harvey Phillip
    ALTERNATIVE NAMES
    SHORT DESCRIPTION Music producer
    DATE OF BIRTH December 26, 1940
    PLACE OF BIRTH New York City, New York
    DATE OF DEATH
    PLACE OF DEATH
    Craig covers the Airbus, guilty hair, and then predicts the future. ... CBS Craig Ferguson jumbo jet Airbus ...
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    The Necrophiliacs playing at The Retro Bar, Manchester, 17th Jan ...... Necrophilaics Phil Spector Dandy Punk
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    Hal Blaine, The World's Greatest Drummer, discusses his work with Phil Spector- an excerpt from a rare one hour interview ... (more)
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    Ronnie Spector performs "Why Don't They Let Us Fall in Love?", "Don't Worry Baby" and "Do I Love You?" in this live ... (more)
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    Ronnie Spector did a last minute unannounced birthday show at the Cutting Room, NYC. Here's a shaky video of her ... (more)
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    Unfortunately not the best picture quality, but here's Ronnie, guesting on the Sha Na Na Show, which ran from '77 to '81 ... (more)
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    Phil inadvertently sparks a war of words with multi-billionaire Donald Trump. ABOUT THESERIES: Phil Spector, a simple man ... (more)
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    [TRANSLATED]Phil Spector Profile
    [TRANSLATED]Phil Spector Profile
    His murder ordeal just ended in mistrial. But a lot of people still ask who is this Phil Spector, and why should I care ... (more)
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    Ronnie sings an edited version of her 1977 Miami Steve-produced classic, filmed in the UK on a short promo visit ...
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    Third of 3 duets with Joey, I've made. Bye Bye Baby. Joey & Ronnie Spector duet. Miscellaneous pictures of Joey. Thanx to ... (more)
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    Here's a real cool Video,..yall should Seek! we don't know if Phil Spector is guilty, or what hair brain thing he got ... (more)
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    crystals 60's girls group singing their hit ... 60's girls groups the crystals ...
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    5.0
    01:59
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