So Phil Spector story comes to tragic conclusion - as it was not already enough that the man was dragged through the mud for years.
I loved,admired and listened his fantastic 1960s output for years,starting with classic work he did for "The Ronettes","The Crystals" and multitude of all those girl-groups (his own "Christmas album" is still stone-dead pop classic) not to mention Ike & Tina's "River Deep,Mountain High" that for me stands tall head and shoulders above almost any pop single of that decade.Somehow I missed out on his 1970s work and maybe even better - I know he did "Imagine" for John Lennon (and it doesn't really sound like Phil Spector,since it does not have Wall of Sound) and for the rest it seems he lost that famous Mida's touch.
Than scandals,drinks,drugs,strange public appearances,pulling out guns left and right - the stuff that gossip magazines love to write about - they always ridiculed him since its easy to attack the man who does not fit in and clearly Spector was eccentric who lacked social graces and enjoyed being percieved as "mad genius",in fact it became mask behind which he hid his own insecurity and fear of old age.
It did not help that man was wealthy and surrounded with parasites who would bow to him at any step,instead probably shaking him up from drunken stupor or even push him to do some work.He was famously bad tempered,unpredictable and heavy to work with - but than,he knew what he wanted to achieve and results were guaranteed artistic success.Had Celine Dion actually finished that studio project they started doing together,she would have her own "River Deep" instead covering Spector old 1966. song at every opportunity.
I had fascination with Phil Spector for quite a while now,similar to the one with Ike Turner - both strong personalities,both almost universaly hated and feared,both largely known for the bad things and almost nothing good has been said about them (though some would admit their music talent,when pressed).In fact these two became good pals at the end,funny enough considering Spector banned Turner from his recording studio in 1966 and wanted Tina only.Not long ago,at Turner's funeral angry Spector ranted at everybody who would listen and made a fool of himself since nobody would listen.
Nobody would listen - nobody listened for years now,dust covering his old records and his monumental achievements of 1960s,people leaving him alone and fearing his bad reputation,stories about guns finally coming alive in a horror night when that actress was very probably murdered in a rage.
She didn't even know who killed her,to her Spector was possibly just a rich weirdo who could help her in career or she needed the money ("hostess",right).
I am not talking bad about woman because of her choices,you see,I am just thinking how it all turned into David Lynch nightmare movie.she probably laughed at him and smirked something sarcastically not realising how dangerous this man actually is when confronted.
In the court,they say,Spector was stoic and said "What's next?" probably not really getting seriousness of situation.What's next is the rest of his life in a prison for murder and gossip magazines will have field day with this,his music,his work and talent the last thing on people's mind.
Just as a had soft spot for Ike until the very end,somehow feeling for the guy who was so universally hated by people who even never met him,I feel bad for Spector because he is clearly mentally ill person who should have been carefully watched long ago and if he was known to threaten people with guns somebody should have taken those damn guns away from him.
Watch now for the nasty remarks about murderer from people who wouldn't know Spector from Mickey Mouse in the first place.I am saddened to hear about him but not surprised since he probably was guilty.It's just the whole idea of somebody remembered for this and not for anything else that bothers me.
