Take a pretty, naive and insecure teenager with a marvellous voice and make her a rock'n roll star overnight. Then marry her to a young, brilliant and newly rich producer with a gigantic inferiority complex and a few psychopathic strains. Then you have the plot for most of this book.

The song "Be my baby" by the Ronettes (produced by Phil Spector) was and still is one of my favourites. The live version with Belinda Carlisle and Grace Slick as the two supporting Ronettes is a masterpiece.

The book is yet another illustration of the difficulties associated with money and stardom. It seems as Ronnie (Veronica) came out alive on the other side, but she might as well have ended in the club with Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin.

At first I though that the language was rather "babyish" when Ronnie Spector was relating her early experiences with getting into the music business. But as I read on, her tone and vocabulary changed, almost as if she had matured and had more insight. This was quite a good turn of writing because it reflected her stages of life. Indeed, this was a very interior novel, where I learned about what was going on inside Ronnie Spector's emotions and naive interpretations of her relationship with Phil Spector.
The book vacillated between Ronnie's experiences in her career and living and working with Phil Spector. He brought her fame by recording her voice and adding his wall of sound. Luckily she still had gigs outside of the recording studio, but bit by bit, Phil would curtail those by making her fly to LA to record this or that song - many of which never saw the light of day. It was his initial way of controlling her. Later he put a monkey wrench in the works of her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - although she was inducted later - just another thing he did that had me fuming!
The later incidents that happened in their marriage and with their adopted son were intense and page turning.
It was so great to read about her several comebacks that helped her realize what a contribution she made to everyone's music after her! Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Van Zant, and my favorite - the single "Take me home tonight" by Eddie Money.
As I was reading and going to YouTube to listen to her songs, I thought of Amy Winehouse whose voice I adored. Indeed, towards the end of the book, Ronnie mentions her affection for her - carrying on her vocal style. Indeed after Winehouse died, Ronnie did a tribute by covering Back to Black. So good!
Glad Ronnie had such a great companion and love in her husband of many years. The account of giving birth to her two children was harrowing, but they sound like they turned out great.
Glad that she was able to update the book version that I read up to just a couple of years before she passed.

I just finished listening to this and I'm trying not to sob in my cubicle. Ronnie Spector WENT THROUGH IT! It was hard hearing about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Phil Spector and how he made it hard for her to work after their divorce. Also hard hearing about her alcohol abuse. I love a memoir where some good tea is spilled and Ronnie did not disappoint. I knew about her dating Steven Van Zandt from his memoir but had no idea her and Bowie had hooked up. I KNOW THAT'S RIGHT RONNIE! Ronnie was no doubt a star but she should've been bigger. Can't wait to see Zendaya play her in the movie.

I have to give a shout out to THE Rosie Perez for narrating this. She did an amazing job.