Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life As a Fabulous Ronette

I really didn't know too much about Ronnie Spector or the Ronettes other than the fact that they sang "Be My Baby." I wasn't even born when they hit it big with that song, but I remember seeing TV commercials in the 70s for a compilation record of 60s songs that showed a clip of the Ronettes singing. I had an immediate connection with the group because I thought they were Asian, mixed with some other ethnicity, like me. And I also loved the song.But as time went on and having all but forgotten about the Ronettes, my connection to them wouldn't be far off. As a teen runaway in Hollywood in the 1980s, I hung out with Donté Spector, Ronnie's first son, although I never knew that he was Ronnie and Phil Spector's adopted son until several years ago when a mutual friend told me, and I saw him on some television magazine show talking about life with Phil Spector, which must've been after Spector's conviction.Anyway, my interest in the Ronettes was rekindled with the re-releases of  Be My Baby: The Very Best of The Ronettes  and  Phil Spector Presents The Philles Album Collection  CDs and that brought me to BE MY BABY: HOW I SURVIVED MASCARA, MINISKIRTS, AND MADNESS, OR MY LIFE AS A FABULOUS RONETTE by Ronnie Spector and Vince Waldron.Since I learned about the book's existence and knowing that it was out-of-print, I hunted high and low for it at thrift stores and used record stores that carry books but I could not find it. So I finally gave in and bought the 2004 paperback edition here on Amazon from a third party seller and I was not disappointed.The book is a no-holds barred (I almost embarrassed myself and wrote "holes") autobiography of Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett Spector and she tells her life story from the impoverished beginnings in Spanish Harlem, being the daughter of a white father and a black and Cherokee mother, along with her sister Estelle, and the formation of the Ronettes, which also featured their cousin Nedra Talley whose father was Spanish. It talks about their yearning to be rock stars and practicing at home and doing shows at the famed Apollo Theater and Brooklyn Fox, to their employment as dancers at the famous "Peppermint Lounge" in New York City, and having a large gay following even at that time. It also talks about their meeting with Phil Spector and the making of the big song "Be My Baby," to her eventual marriage to Spector and being kept like a prisoner -- literally in a mansion -- as his wife. She also talks about her problems with alcohol abuse and the numerous comebacks and commercial failures of her subsequent albums after the Ronettes, and how she eventually found happiness many years later. In short, the book is truly a story about survival.After listening to the reissue CDs, I've always wondered why the Ronettes weren't as big as say the Supremes. But I've learned in this book that Phil Spector would record them and then not release their songs like "(Going To The) Chapel Of Love" (shelving the Ronettes version and then giving it to the Dixie Cups who scored a number one hit with it), after they scored big with "Be My Baby," and he even kept Ronnie from going out on tour with the other Ronettes as the Beatles opening act on their last tour of the USA. Ronnie stayed at home and they had another cousin, Elaine, go in her place and the Beatles were furious.Through it all, Ronnie never bad mouths Phil Spector or comes off as bitter at all; she just tells it like it is. The conversational tone from co-author Vince Waldron makes the book read as though this is one of your best friends just telling you the story of her life. It's funny, serious, exciting, and also disappointing at times, because you, as the reader, would always come to a point and wonder what could have been had Phil Spector not been so controlling and insecure. It's also disappointing because you start rooting for Ronnie, but with each new album release came the commercial failure and let down. But it makes for one hell of a book that'll keep you up way past your bedtime!The updated 2004 version talks briefly about Phil's arrest for murdering actress Lana Clarkson, but since that was breaking news at the time, Ronnie couldn't really go into much details other than disbelief. I would've loved to see another update since Spector got convicted and sentenced to 19-years for that crime.But again this isn't a "let's bash Phil Spector book." It's a gripping memoir of a talented woman's journey and how time and again life knocked her down, but she got back up and kept on going.There are black and white photographs in the book as well as an annotated discography compiled by Bob Hyde, Jay Lammy, Vince Waldron, and David A. Young.I really wish the book had another update, aside from the Phil Spector thing, because in 2007, the Ronettes were finally inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. And I'd also like to know what happened to Ronnie's older sister, Estelle. Internet rumors say that she suffered from mental illness, which happened after the breakup of the Ronettes, and became homeless for a time before passing away in 2009 from colon cancer. If you watch the acceptance speech on YouTube for the Rock And Roll induction ceremony Ronnie, Nedra, and Estelle are there, Estelle gives a brief thank you speech but she doesn't perform with the other two on "Be My Baby." I was curious as to why and that led me to the internet stories.If you happen to be a fan of 60s music and the whole 60s scene, BE MY BABY... book is a must have. You get first-hand accounts from someone who was in the thick of it from nightly dancing in the Peppermint Lounge to doing tours in swinging London to meeting the Beatles to recording at Gold Star studios and "the wall of sound," Ronnie Spector's book has it all! It's the next best thing to actually being there!

This book was awesome. Sad at times with what Ronnie went through, but she persevered. That’s what it’s all about ♥️

I've wondered for so long about the life of the little girl I watched on stage at the Brooklyn Fox with Murray the K. As a kid, myself, I recall wishing I only had her glamourous life, imagining how fun and sophisticated it had to be. After reading Be My Baby, I now know that fantisies are far removed from reality, especially when the villain of the story is as twisted and evil as Phil Spector. At times, I felt as though I was reading Stephen King's Misery. Spector was amazingly adept at exploiting every weakness in his victom, ultimately cutting Ronnie off from friends and family, and convincing her that she was completely dependent on him for survival. He made her a star and then did his best to destroy her career. Even after divorce, he continued with death threats and more.But, ultiltimately Be My Baby is a story of survival, and an entertaining, inspirational one. I was a bit disappointed to learn that Murray the K was not the Fifth Beatle that he presented himself to be, and there was enough backstage gossip to keep me turning the pages 'till I finished the book in two readings. For a fan of Ronnie or any of the girl groups from that golden age of rock, this is an autobiography not to be missed.

Like everyone else of all generations, I've grown up familiar with the song "Be My Baby". And like many people of my generation (born in the late 1970's) I never even knew who sang it. This past summer I saw Ronnie Spector on a local talk show promoting a concert she was doing. I googled, youtubed, and I've been a Ronettes fanatic ever since. So I had to read this book because of the fascination I've developed with this songstress, her group, her love affair with her producer, and this era of music. And it delivers everything. Ms Spector and Vince Waldron together tell a story that reads like a conversation. One of those that you don't want to end. The humor is sharp. The details are plenty, good and bad. Her abusive marriage to Phil Spector, her career ups and downs, her family relationships, friendships in and out of the industry, run ins and experiences with other big name rock stars, and her experience just being a a bi-racial girl at a time when it wasn't as common as it is now are all here and all riveting. She holds little to the imagination, and I mean very little. Some pages made me blush. Others made me sad and some made me smile at her redemption. I finished this book much faster than I finish most and I'm pretty sure I'll read it again. It's the next best thing to having Ms Spector in front of me telling her life story herself.

What is there not to like I'm a big Ronnie Spector fan and absolutely loved the Ronnettes I had this book when it first came out and loaned it to a co worker well needless to say it was never returned so when I saw this book I jumped on the opportunity to get it I especially liked the way Ronnie was quite frank about her drinking problem and her turbulent marriage to Phil Spector this is a must read for any Ronnettes and girl groups fan

I think I may have already reviewed this book on Amazon.com? But they have asked me to comment again! So let me do that, but make this review a little shorter! Very simply, this book is a great value, very fast reading, and fills in all of the blanks when it comes to Ronnie Spector's life from growing up in Washington Heights in Spanish Harlem NYC, to her experiences with her sister Estelle and cousin Nedra Talley as Ronettes, through her marriage to Phil Spector. There are all the stories, all the little details, everything. Ronnie is very candid and does not pull any punches. I LOVE having this book in hardback. It is a terrific value and I would even call it a collectible for Ronnie Spector and Ronettes' fans. Buy the First Edition if available. And get it in Mint or Near Mint condition for sure! The book is a super value at around $25, and an absolute MUST READ for any Ronnie Spector or Ronettes' devotee!

Pretty much what you expect from a bio. Pretty honest as far as you can tell. Some interesting facts and a small insight into the 60's.

Great book I am now reading Phil Spectors bio to see if other side of story is any different, ha ha!,

I love Ronnie! What a crazy story.

For any fan of the magical 60' era of classic pop, Ronnie Spector stands proud in the pantheon of iconic singers. Her story is told simply and honestly. Admittedly, it's not literature of the highest degree but it doesn't have to be to get across the trials and tribulations of her now infamous relationship with the mad professor of pop.....mega-producer Phil Spector. As they say on the covers of almost every celebrity bio it's "a gripping read."

Really enjoyed this book. It’s so well written, I finished it over a weekend. RIP Ronnie