Producer Phil Spector Dies at Age 81

Precocious, prolific, and ultimately imprisoned, producer Phil Spector died on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the age of 81.

Spector passed away in a California prison, living out his sentence after his 2009 conviction for murdering actress Lana Clarkson.

A producer, musician, and songwriter, Spector became renowned for his dense, orchestral productions of hit albums throughout the 1960’s and ‘70’s. Creator of the famed “Wall of Sound,” Spector was a pioneer in developing the recording studio as an instrument, propelling new acts to stardom and adding an additional dimension to the sound of well-established artists. Over the course of his career, Spector’s clients included The Beatles, George Harrison, John Lennon, Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, Ike & Tina Turner, The Righteous Brothers, and many more.

The legacy of Spector’s indisputable musical achievements are balanced by his unbalanced behavior. He was meticulous when it came to sonics, arrogant and psychologically abusive to musicians and spouses like Spector. Keith Harris of Rolling Stone provides an in-depth perspective on Spector’s career rise and fall in this article. For a thoughtful critique of Spector’s musical contributions—and the complexities they call up for us as listeners—visit this Chris Richards column in the Washington Post, and Randall Roberts’ sharp insights for the Los Angeles Times.

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