Phil Spector
Phil Spector (26 December 1939-16 January 2021) was an American music producer known for his "Wall of Sound". He wrote and sang on the Teddy Bears' "To know him is to love him". He produced and (co-)wrote music albums for artists including The Ronettes, The Crystals, Ike & Tina Turner, The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, Leonard Cohen and The Righteous Brothers.[1]
Apart from his widely admired musical production, Spector was also notorious for his eccentric behavior, which according to various anecdotes often verged to life threatening and psychological issues. In 2009 he was convicted for murder in the second degree of Lana Clarkson. He died in custody in 2021.[1]
Zappa and Phil Spector
The Big T.N.T. Show (1966), which had Zappa in the audience, was produced by Phil Spector.
Phil Spector is mentioned in the list of influences inside the sleeve of Freak Out! (1966), under the heading "These People Have Contributed Materially In Many Ways To Make Our Music What It Is. Please Do Not Hold It Against Them".
Spector co-produced Some Time In New York City (1973) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which featured music by Zappa.
Zappa about Phil Spector
When asked about songs Spector liked, Zappa said: "Well, all I can say is that his taste and mine run pretty close together."[2]
"I had seen Lenny Bruce a number of times at Canter's Deli, where he used to sit in a front booth with Phil Spector and eat knockwurst." - Frank Zappa in The Real Frank Zappa Book.
Sources
External Links
- Phil Spector & Frank Zappa review the '50s on the Pop Chronicles: show 14, track 3.
