Estelle Bennett
Encyclopedia
Estelle Bennett was a member of the girl group
The Ronettes
, along with her sister Ronnie Spector
(the 'Ronnie' of the band's name) and cousin Nedra Talley
.
After the Ronettes' 1966 break-up, she recorded a single for Laurie Records, "The Year 2000/The Naked Boy". She then quit the music business and had rarely been seen since. She married the group's road manager Joe Dong, and they had a daughter, Toyin.
In 2007, when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she refused to perform with them, and spoke only a brief two 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."
Bennett died of colon cancer aged 67 in Englewood, New Jersey
. Her body was discovered on February 11, 2009. A week after her death it was revealed that she had suffered from schizophrenia
in the years after the Ronettes break up and that later on she had been homeless in New York
.
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
The Ronettes
The Ronettes
The Ronettes were a 1960s girl group from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. The group consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett ; her older sister, Estelle Bennett; and their cousin Nedra Talley...
, along with her sister Ronnie Spector
Ronnie Spector
Veronica Yvette "Ronnie" Spector is an American rock and roll and popular music vocalist, and was the lead singer of the 1960s hit-making girl group, The Ronettes, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. She is known as the "original bad girl of rock and roll."-Personal...
(the 'Ronnie' of the band's name) and cousin Nedra Talley
Nedra Talley
Nedra Talley, now Nedra Talley Ross , was a member of the girl group The Ronettes, along with her cousins Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett. She is of African-American, Native American and Puerto Rican descents...
.
After the Ronettes' 1966 break-up, she recorded a single for Laurie Records, "The Year 2000/The Naked Boy". She then quit the music business and had rarely been seen since. She married the group's road manager Joe Dong, and they had a daughter, Toyin.
In 2007, when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she refused to perform with them, and spoke only a brief two 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."
Bennett died of colon cancer aged 67 in Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
. Her body was discovered on February 11, 2009. A week after her death it was revealed that she had suffered from schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
in the years after the Ronettes break up and that later on she had been homeless in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
External links
- Obituary in the Star Gazette