Music producer and murderer Phil Spector dies aged 81

American producer Phil Spector, who developed the famed ‘wall of sound’ and was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003, has died. He was 81.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation released a statement on Sunday in the US, saying Spector died of natural causes on Saturday January 16, 2021.

Spector had been serving a 19-years-to-life sentence in prison for the murder of Clarkson. The actress, 40, was found dead at Spector’s castle-like house in Alhambra, California with a bullet wound to her head.

Spector told Esquire magazine in July 2003 that Clarkson’s death was an accidental suicide and that she had “kissed the gun”, ABC News reports. However, the disgraced music producer was convicted and sentenced in 2009 of murdering Clarkson.

According to the publication, Spector had a long-standing reputation for gunplay. In fact, Blondie guitarist Chris Stein has since written on Twitter, saying: “When we went to Phil Spector’s house in the 70s he came to the door holding a bottle of diet Manischewitz wine in one hand and a presumably loaded 45 automatic in the other. Long story. I thought he was nuts.”

When we went to Phil Spector's house in the 70s he came to the door holding a bottle of diet Manischewitz wine in one hand and a presumably loaded 45 automatic in the other. Long story. I thought he was nuts.

— Cʜʀɪs Sᴛᴇɪɴ (@chrissteinplays) January 17, 2021

Meanwhile, Spector’s ex-wife Ronnie Spector, who fronted the girl group The Ronettes, also paid tribute, writing: “It’s a sad day for music and a sad day for me.

“When I was working with Phil Spector, watching him create in the recording studio, I knew I was working with the very best,” she wrote. “He was in complete control, directing everyone. So much to love about those days.

“Meeting him and falling in love was like a fairytale. The magical music we were able to make together was inspired by our love. I loved him madly, and gave my heart and soul to him.

“I said many times while he was alive, he was a brilliant producer, but a lousy husband. Unfortunately Phil was not able to live and function outside of the recording studio. Darkness set in, many lives were damaged.

“I still smile whenever I hear the music we made together, and always will. The music will be forever.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ronnie Spector (@ronniespectorthebadgirl)

Prior to his sentencing, Spector had a hugely successful career in the music industry, working with a number of big-name artists including The Beatles, Leonard Cohen,the Righteous Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner.