RIP Estelle Bennett

Estelle Bennett, member of The Ronettes, dies

NEW YORK (AP) — Estelle Bennett, one of the Ronettes, the singing trio whose 1963 hit Be My Baby epitomized the famed "wall of sound" technique of its producer, Phil Spector, has died at her home in Englewood, New Jersey. She was 67.

Bennett's brother-in-law, Jonathan Greenfield, said police found her dead in her apartment on Wednesday after relatives had been unable to contact her. The time and cause of death have not yet been determined. Greenfield is the manager and husband of Bennett's sister, Ronettes lead singer Ronnie Spector.

The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007; its website hails the group as "the premier act of the girl group era." Among their admirers were the Beatles and the Rolling Stones; their exotic hairstyles and makeup are aped by Amy Winehouse.

The Ronettes — sisters Veronica "Ronnie" and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley — signed with Spector's Philles Records in 1963.

Their recording of Be My Baby hit No. 2 on Billboard magazine's pop music chart that year. Among their other hits were Walkin' in the Rain and Baby I Love You.

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These girls were one of the sexiest, sassiest, best-dressed and greatest girl groups of the 60's.

And they wewre terrific dancers!