Nedra Talley Ross, last surviving member of The Ronettes, dies at 80
Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector and Nedra Talley of The Ronettes, inductees (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Nedra Talley Ross, best known as a founding member of the influential 1960s girl group, The Ronettes, has died at the age of 80, according to the group’s official Instagram page.
Talley Ross was the final surviving member of the group, which helped define pop music for generations with hits like "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You," songs that remain embedded in American pop culture.
What they're saying:
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nedra Talley Ross’ passing. She was a light to those who knew and loved her," the Instagram post read. "As a founding member of The Ronettes, along with her beloved cousins Ronnie and Estelle, Nedra’s voice, style and spirit helped define a sound that would change music."
Legacy and Impact
Along with her cousins Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett, the group rose to fame with a distinctive sound and style that would influence music and artists for decades to come.
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 1965: Girl group The Ronettes (L-R Estelle Bennett, Veronica Bennett and Nedra Talley) perform on the NBC TV music show 'Hullabaloo' in December 1965 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Hullabaloo Archive/Michael Ochs Archives/G
Background
The group formed in New York in the early 1960s, featuring Talley Ross alongside Spector and Bennett. After little early success, the group rose to prominence after signing with producer Phil Spector.
With their big hair and heavy eyeliner, the image and the group’s signature sound helped shape the identity of female artists, influencing the likes of Cher to Amy Winehouse.
Collectively, the group placed nine songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Their signature hit, "Be My Baby" climbed to number 2 in 1963 and is often cited as one of the greatest songs ever recorded, according to Rolling Stone and New Musical Express. In 2006, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, with songwriting organization BMI noting it had been played on radio and television nearly 4 million times.
Talley Ross and the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, solidifying their place in music history. Talley Ross’ passing marks the end of an era for one of pop music’s most iconic trios.
Talley Ross left the group and turned to Christian music in the 1970s, according to People magazine. Her cousin Ronnie Spector died from cancer in 2022 and her cousin Estelle Bennett died in 2009.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by People, the Rolling Stone and BMI. This story was reported from Orlando.