Phil Spector is dead at 81 from COVID

The music world has lost a controversial icon and COVID-19 has claimed another victim. The legendary Phil Spector passed away from coronavirus complications. According to TMZ he was diagnosed 4 weeks ago but recovered enough to be sent back to his prison cell. Spector was serving a 19- years to life sentence for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. The death was confirmed on Saturday by the California Department of Corrections.

Harvey Phillip Spector was born on December 26, 1939, in the Bronx and became famous as a muscian, songwriter, and record producer. He was noted for developing the Wall of Sound, which is a music production formula that Spectra described as a "Wagnerian approach to rock and roll." Spector is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of pop music. He began his long career in 1958 as a vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the Teddy Bears. Spector wrote their 1958 hit song "To know him is to love him" which went to number 1 on the charts.

In 1960, at the age of 21 Spector co-founded Philles Records, becoming the youngest ever United States label owner at the time. During the 1960s, he wrote, co-wrote, or produced records for recording artists like the Crystals the Ronettes, and Ike & Tina Turner. In 1966 Phil Spector retired from the music entertainment industry. Only 3 years later, in 1969 he returned to the business and produced the Let It Be album for The Beatles. He was also responsible for several solo albums by George Harrison and John Lennon. Rolling Stone gave Phil Spector the honor of ranking number 63 on their list of all-time greatest musicians in history.

Spector has also been portrayed by various actors in television and movies. In season 3 of Dream of Jeannie, steve Davis was cast as Phil Spector in the 1967 episode "Jeannie, the Hip Hippie". In 1970 the character of Ronnie "Z-Man" Baarzell was based on the music mogul and in 1974''s Phantom of Paradise the character Swain, who was portrayed by Paul Williams was supposedly inspired by Spectra. In What's Love Got to Do with It,(1974) Rob Labelle had the role of Ike and Tina Turner's producer.

In the series Metalocalypse (2006-2013) the character Dick Knubbler is a parody of Phil Spector based on his transgressions in recent years. Al Pacino portrayed the icon in Phil Spector, (2013). Jonathan Slavin had the role of the musician in 2014's Love and Mercy but his scene did not make the final cut before the movie reached theaters.

The next chapter in Phil Spectra's life began on February 3, 2003, when actress Lana Clarkson was found dead in his Alhambra, California mansion. Clarkson's body was found slumped over in a chair with a single gunshot wound to her mouth and broken teeth on the carpet. In July 2003, Spector told Esquire that Clarkson's death was an "accidental suicide". The 911 call from Spector's home was made by his driver, Adriano de Souza, who quoted his boss as saying, "I think I've killed somebody". De Souza also stated that he observed Spector exiting the house through the back door carrying a gun in his hand.

On September 26, 2007, a mistrial was declared in the case of murder in the second degree because there was a hung jury. Ten jurors out of 12 voted for conviction and 2for acquittal. The retrial began on October 20, 2008, and the case went to the jury on March 26, 2009. It was 18 days later, on April 13, when the jury returned with a guilty verdict. Phil Spector was also found guilty of using a firearm in the commission of a crime. This added four years to his sentence and he was immediately taken into custody. On May 29, 2009, the talented musician was given the sentence of 19 years to life in the California penal system.

It had been reported during the trial by the prosecution, that Spector had previously pulled guns on 4 other women. Each time he was said to be drunk and that the women spurned his advances. It is believed this is what led to the death of Lana Clarkson and the defense did not want this admissible in court. Phil Spector was the father of 5 children. Louis Phillip, Gary, and Donte were adopted when he was married to Veronica Bennett AKA Ronnie Spector. He later had twins with his girlfriend Janis Zavala: Phillip Spector Jr. and Nicole Audrey Spector. Phil Jr. preceded his father in death.