Estelle Bennett was an American singer who rose to fame as a member of the girl group The Ronettes, along with her sister Ronnie and cousin Nedra Talley. The Ronettes had a string of hit songs in the 1960s, such as “Be My Baby”, “Baby I Love You”, and “Walking in the Rain”. They were also known for their distinctive style, featuring heavy mascara, slit skirts, and teased hair. Estelle Bennett was the quiet and shy one of the group, who often stayed in the background while her sister Ronnie took the lead vocals.
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The Rise and Fall of The Ronettes
The Ronettes started singing together when they were teenagers, performing as the Darling Sisters and later as the Rosettes. They signed with Phil Spector’s label Philles Records in 1963, and soon became his most successful act. Spector’s “wall of sound” production technique gave their songs a rich and powerful sound that captivated audiences. The Ronettes also toured with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and dated some of the biggest stars of the era, such as George Harrison and Mick Jagger.
However, behind the scenes, things were not so glamorous. Spector was a controlling and abusive producer, who isolated the Ronettes from their family and friends, and prevented them from recording or performing without his permission. He also cheated on Ronnie, who he married in 1968, and kept her locked up in his mansion. Estelle and Nedra were unhappy with their lack of creative input and royalties, and felt neglected by Spector. The Ronettes broke up in 1966, after their last single “I Can Hear Music” flopped.
Estelle’s Struggle with Mental Illness
After the Ronettes disbanded, Estelle tried to pursue a solo career, but had little success. She recorded a single for Laurie Records in 1968, called “The Year 2000/The Naked Boy”, but it did not chart. She also joined an all-female quartet called The Love Chain in 1969, but they only released three singles that did not make any impact. In 1972, she recorded two songs with the band 1984, called “Baby With No Name” and “Earthman”, but they were never released.
Estelle’s mental health deteriorated in the following years. She suffered from anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia, and depression. She also had periods of homelessness, during which she would approach strangers on the streets of New York, telling them that she would be singing with the Ronettes in a jazz club. She married the group’s road manager, Joe Dong, and had a daughter with him, but they later divorced. She was reported to have slept through her own baby daughter’s crying during a visit to Nedra’s house.
The Ronettes’ Legacy and Estelle’s Death
In 2007, the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after years of legal battles with Spector over their royalties and recognition. Estelle attended the ceremony, but did not perform with Ronnie and Nedra. She spoke only two brief sentences during her acceptance speech: “I would just like to say, thank you very much for giving us this award. I’m Estelle of the Ronettes, thank you.” She then came back onstage for a final bow with the other Ronettes after they performed “Be My Baby”.
On February 11, 2009, Estelle Bennett was found dead in her apartment in Englewood, New Jersey. She was 67 years old. According to Wikipedia, her cause of death was colon cancer. She was buried at Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in Bronx County, New York.
Estelle Bennett was a talented singer who had a tragic life. She was part of one of the most influential girl groups of all time, but she never got to enjoy the fame and fortune that she deserved. She struggled with mental illness and addiction for most of her adult life, and died alone and forgotten by many. Her story is a reminder of the dark side of the music industry, and the need for more awareness and support for mental health issues among artists.
