Rock and roll legend Ronnie Spector dies

American singer, member of the popular female rock band of the 1960s, Veronica Bennett (better known by the pen name Ronnie Spector) has died at the age of 78.

Spector died Wednesday, January 12, after a brief battle with cancer, her family said. No other details were provided.

“Ronnie lived her life with a sparkle in her eyes, a sentimental personality, a sarcastic sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was full of love and gratitude.”

Ronnie Spector is one of the founders of The Ronettes in 1961. The band signed with producer Phil Spector and released a number of hit songs from the 1960s, including “Be My Baby” and “Walking in the Rain.” Rolling Stone magazine named Spector to its list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time”, ranking it at number 69. In 2007, The Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Bands Hall of Fame, and the song Be My Baby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.