Singer Ronnie Spector has died after a short illness. She was aged 78.

Her group The Ronettes had a world wide hit “Be My Baby”, and “Baby I Love”.

They started in the early Sixties and influenced many up-and-coming bands.

The mercurial Phil Spector produced their records – introducing the world to his “wall of sound”.

The couple married in 1968.

But it was tumultuous relationship.

After years of abuse and death threats she left him four years later.

Ronnie said: “He was a brilliant producer, but a lousy husband”.

Phil Spector – who died last year – was later jailed for the murder of his then girlfriend.

Ronnie’s family released a statement announcing her death, saying she had a brief battle with cancer.