Legendary music producer Phil Spector dead at 81 after covid diagnosis

Phil Spector, the music producer who gave the world some of the biggest hits of the 1960s, has died.
Record producer and musician Phil Spector who has died of natural causes in hospital, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.Record producer and musician Phil Spector who has died of natural causes in hospital, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.
Record producer and musician Phil Spector who has died of natural causes in hospital, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.

Spector was diagnosed with COVID four weeks ago and was transferred from his prison cell at California Health Care Facility in Stockton, where he was serving a 19 years-to-life sentence for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, to a hospital.

The famed musician, born in the Bronx of New York City, developed the Wall of Sound a technique of that has a roaring effect, dubbed the 'Wagnerian approach to rock 'n' roll,' that was popular in the '60s.

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This was the first time the recording studio was used as an instrument itself. It worked by having reverberating instruments and large ensembles play in unison to create a fuller, richer tone and nearly drown out vocals.

Phil Spector arriving at the Foltz Criminal Justice Centre in Los Angeles ahead of a retrial of the alleged murder of actress Lana Clarkson.Phil Spector arriving at the Foltz Criminal Justice Centre in Los Angeles ahead of a retrial of the alleged murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
Phil Spector arriving at the Foltz Criminal Justice Centre in Los Angeles ahead of a retrial of the alleged murder of actress Lana Clarkson.

Throughout the 1960s, he wrote, co-wrote, or produced records for acts such as the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Ike & Tina Turner. He typically collaborated with arranger Jack Nitzsche, engineer Larry Levine, and a de facto house band that later became known as "the Wrecking Crew".

A California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation statement said: “California Health Care Facility inmate Phillip Spector was pronounced deceased of natural causes at 6.35pm on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at an outside hospital. His official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner in the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

“Spector was admitted from Los Angeles County on June 5, 2009, for second-degree murder. He had been sentenced to 19 years to life for the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson."

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California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation handout photo of Phil Spector 2ho has died of natural causes in hospital, while he was serving a prison sentence for murder.California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation handout photo of Phil Spector 2ho has died of natural causes in hospital, while he was serving a prison sentence for murder.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation handout photo of Phil Spector 2ho has died of natural causes in hospital, while he was serving a prison sentence for murder.

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