Phil Spector

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• Genre: Brill Building Pop
• Hometown: Los Angeles

About

Long before he was known for brandishing firearms, Phil Spector invented the panoramic Wall Of Sound production. By cramming intricate, orchestral arrangements into three-minute pop songs, Spector revolutionized recording and became a studio pioneer who influenced artists like Brian Wilson, the Beatles and countless others. He got his start in the late 1950s with a one-hit-wonder band from Los Angeles called the Teddy Bears. When their proverbial 15 minutes were up, he relocated to New York City and started recording and producing girl groups like the Crystals and the Ronettes. He married that band's lead singer, Ronnie Bennett after his popularity began to wane and his work with Ike and Tina Turner failed to sell as many records as was anticipated. Infamously reclusive, Spector retired and became a hermit in his own mansion, only intermittently resurfacing to produce records by members of the Beatles, Leonard Cohen and the Ramones.

- Eric Shea