Phil Spector guilty of murder
As a pop music producer, he was a genius; but, as a human being, not so much. His worldly success and wealth made him a self-obsessed recluse and a pitiful and dangerous old man.
An evil Spector: Record producer guilty of murder
Second jury convicts producer in actress’s deathLOS ANGELES — Phil Spector, the rock music impresario behind hits like Da Doo Ron Ron and You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling, was convicted Monday of second-degree murder in shooting a struggling actress at his mansion in 2003 after a night of drinking.
Spector, 68, faces at least 18 years in prison. The jury, in a five-month trial, reached its unanimous decision after 27 hours of deliberating whether he shot the woman in a fit of anger or, as his lawyers argued, merely witnessed her suicide.
Phil Spector was responsible for some of the most joyous moments in 1960s pop-rock music. His work with such groups as the Ronettes, the Crystals, and the Righteous Brothers earned him world-wide recognition as an influential and respected creative artist.
Today, however, it all turns sour. The music will live on, but its creator is brought low in shame and disgrace. How the mighty have fallen.
On another day, I’d post a video of the Ronettes in happier times, but not today. Here’s an AP report on the verdict.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPHx4VCknfE[/youtube]