Profile Text
Spector – The 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Presentation with Ronnie Spector – Waldorf Astoria hotel – New York City – Photo Credit: Daniel Locke / PR Photos
Birth Name: Veronica Yvette Bennett
Date of Birth: August 10, 1943
Place of Birth: Spanish Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: January 12, 2022
Place of Death: Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Ethnicity: African-American
Ronnie Spector was an American rock and roll and pop music singer. She fronted girl group The Ronettes, or Ronnie and the Relatives, with her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley. The group is famous for their hits, “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You,” “The Best Part of Breakin’ Up,” and “Walking in the Rain.” Ronnie was also known for her single “So Young.” Ronnie was billed under other names, Veronica Spector, Ronnie Bennett, and Ronnie Greenfield, and nicknamed the “Bad Girl of Rock and Roll.”
Ronnie was born Veronica Yvette Bennett in New York City, the daughter of Beatrice (Mobley) and Louis Albert Bennett, who had been a drummer with several bands. Her parents were both black, as were her grandparents. Her father was born in Chatham County, Georgia. Her mother was born in Jasper, Hamilton County, Florida. While her father is sometimes described as having been of Irish descent, and her mother as being of part Cherokee Native American ancestry, it is not clear if any Irish and/or Cherokee ancestry has been verified for Ronnie.
Ronnie and her sister Estelle were encouraged to sing by their large family, as was their cousin Nedra, who was of African-American and Puerto Rican descent.
Ronnie was married to Jonathan Greenfield, her manager, until her death. She had three children with her former husband, record producer, musician, and songwriter Phil Spector; and two children with Jonathan. She largely used Phil’s name professionally.
Ronnie’s paternal grandfather was The Rev. George Washington Bennett (the son of Frank Bennett and Florence Hill). George was born in Millen, Jenkins County, Georgia.
Ronnie’s paternal grandmother was Ethel Mae McIver (the daughter of Byron Julian McIver and Margaret/Maggie J. Weber). Ethel was born in Georgia. Byron was born in Georgia, the son of Byron McIver and Elsie Monroe. Margaret was born in Georgia, the daughter of Jacob Webber and Lotta.
Ronnie’s maternal grandfather was John F. Mobley (the son of Peter Mobley and Elizabeth Pipkin). John was born in Florida. Elizabeth was the daughter of Mary.
Ronnie’s maternal grandmother was named Susie Parrish (the daughter of James B. Parrish and Maria). Susie was born in Florida. James was the son of Abraham Parrish and Elsey.
Sources: http://www.silive.com
Genealogies of Ronnie Spector – https://www.geni.com https://www.findagrave.com
Ronnie’s father on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org Ronnie’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Ronnie’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org Ronnie’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org