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Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness
Updated with new material
Ronnie and Phil Spector made music history with the Ronettes, but as Phil's creative powers began to wane, their marriage soured. He became increasingly reclusive and violent, and Ronnie's life became a constant battle to fend off madness-both his and her own.
Ronnie and Phil Spector made music history with the Ronettes, but as Phil's creative powers began to wane, their marriage soured. He became increasingly reclusive and violent, and Ronnie's life became a constant battle to fend off madness-both his and her own.
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
June 1st 2004
by Onyx
(first published September 1990)
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This was a very fast, compulsive read. A real page turner. I'm one of the biggest Ronnie Spector fans, but I didn't know what to expect. She has some crazy stories about Phil and about her alcoholism, but she presents everything as matter-of-fact. Her writing does not dwell on self-pity or her constant passivity even when she, as a character, is mired in them. What I find refreshing is that she never bashes Phil Spector, even though it would be so easy. The way she described their early professi...more
Having recently finished Phil Spector's bio, I was curious to hear Ronnie's side of the story. I guess, predictably, it mirrors Phil's. A sensation in her early 20's, she spent many years looking to replicate that success. With the failure of her career, marriage and motherhood, she turned to alcohol which could easily have cost her her life. This book was written more than 20 years ago, but, at that time, she seemed to have faced down her demons. To me she'll always be one of the great voices o...more
She's really obsessed with being loved and adored.
She's always talking about her sex appeal, her hair, mascara or how EVERYONE IN THE WORLD WANTS HER for crying out loud. I never knew she was so arrogant. It's an exhausting read. Delusions of grandeur for sure.
She's always talking about her sex appeal, her hair, mascara or how EVERYONE IN THE WORLD WANTS HER for crying out loud. I never knew she was so arrogant. It's an exhausting read. Delusions of grandeur for sure.
I love Ronnie and her story! How she put up with Phil for so long is a mystery, glad she got out.
ronnie spector is the joey ramone of my female ideal. i wanna be ronnie spector!
As a huge fan of Phil Spector's "wall of sound," I had to read this memoir by his ex-wife, lead singer of The Ronettes Ronnie Spector. "Be My Baby" relates not only Ronnie's rise from rags to riches, and her days as a huge pop star, but her long and sad marriage to Phil Spector, during which she was held as a virtual prisoner in his mansion. Those reading this probably wouldn't be surprised at Spector's arrest years later for murder. He was a genius at producing records, but not a very good huma...more
Wonderful book sorry Ronnie had to go through so much. I didn't know Phil was so terrible.
Will not disappoint!
One of my favorite books!
One of my favorite books!
AWESOME!!!
I'm so glad Esme made me remember I'd read this book. This was a really weird read. Case in point: the way both? all 3? I forget -- of her sons were born. I won't spoil it for you; you'll just have to read it. I read this book about 12 years ago, on the plane going from one place to another. I remember being completely unconscious of the passage of time. I was engrossed in the weird, sad world of Ronnie Ronette.
Ronnie is an amazing singer but her writing is not so great. That is completley forgiveable because I loved her stories. Very juicy easy read about growing up with stars in your eyes, into a Ronette and Phil Spector's wife and finally into a sad nightmare. Easy read full of really awesome peaks into the music scene with unbelievable tales.
This caption, from one of the photos in the book, is just one example of the insane things she recounts in this great autobiography-
"A family snapshot taken a few years after my divorce from Phil. That's Donte, standing with Gary and Louis, the twin brothers that Phil adopted as a surprise for me when I got out of the sanitarium."
"A family snapshot taken a few years after my divorce from Phil. That's Donte, standing with Gary and Louis, the twin brothers that Phil adopted as a surprise for me when I got out of the sanitarium."
Sep 21, 2008
Jen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
struggling r&b artists
Shelves:
music-related,
non-fiction
ronnie gave me everything i wanted. trashy behind the scenes gossip about the ronettes. detailed accounts of her (near) sexual liaisons with other rock stars (lennon, bowie). intimate musings on her failed relationship with phil spector. i was in pure heaven. ronnie spector is a true diva, and this book lives up to it's title.
i don't own this but i read jonE/betsy/someone's copy of it. thanks whoever you are. i wouldn't mind reading it again though, cause i don't remember it too well. i do remember the part where john lennon tried to get freaky with her, and got turned down. do you think he wrote a song about that?
Apr 08, 2013
Samantha
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
music folks
All in all Be My Baby is a decent autobiography; though it's clear that writing isn't exactly Ronnie's calling, she gets the point across.
Anyone unsure about Phil Spector's innocence regarding the death of Lana Clarkson should read this book. He's a hint crazy and Ronnie knows first hand.
Anyone unsure about Phil Spector's innocence regarding the death of Lana Clarkson should read this book. He's a hint crazy and Ronnie knows first hand.
Much like the beloved I, Tina this book tries to capture the bad old days with the 60s male impressarios who in addition to making great music, had good backhands and loved to slap their women around. Ronnie's voice (thank god) is still the sweetest thing and I really loved this book.
My mom blasted Ronnie's music through my yearly years. It was a treat to find this book, but even if you don't like Phillies Records, or the music of the 50's, I suggest you read this book. A beautiful story of pain and anguish; ending with self-discovery and love.
Ronnie Spector is as much of a character as her husband Phil, and this account of her rise and fall as a pop singer in the 1960's is full of fantastic stories. It tends towards the trashy side, but it's a fun read for anyone who loves the girl group music of the time.
Some great stories, especially regarding Lennon and the Stones, but kinda left me depressed. I didn't realize her life turned out to be such a mess. Her writing style is much like you expect so it's an easy read.
Zara got this for a school report. I am reading it here and there. We saw her last year at the All Love All Woodstock party and she was awesome! Still lookin' good.
it was really interesting to learn about ronnie's life and all the craziness. this book was definitely entertaining. i liked it a lot. good stories.
one of the funniest and saddest books i've ever read...particularly the part about the phil spector mannequin...
Phil Spector is EVIL!!!! Also, once Ronnie Spector totally boned David Bowie. Highly recommended!!!!!
the part where she gives birth in the toilet is awesome!
Jun 08, 2007
Karen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobio-real-and-fictionalized
Love you, Ronnie. And who knew Eddie Money was such a mensch?
ronnie: will you marry me?
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Apr 24, 2012 05:43pm