Name: Phil Spector, convicted murderer and famed music producer, dies at 81
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Phil Spector, convicted murderer and famed music producer, dies at 81

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IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.SKIP TO CONTENTBy Phil Spector, the famed music producer who was convicted of the 2003 murder of actor Lana Clarkson, died Saturday. He was 81.Spector, whose full name was Harvey Phillip Spector, died of natural causes at 6:35 p.m. at an unspecified hospital, the California Corrections Department said in a news release. A medical examiner will determine the official cause of death, according to the release.Long considered a visionary in the world of music, Spector produced albums for countless groups, including the Beatles, the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers. Spector is credited with creating the music production technique known as the "Wall of Sound," which merged vocal harmonies with orchestral arrangements.The technique led to songs like "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "He's a Rebel" by the Crystals and "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes.Twenty-four of Spector's records landed in the Top 40 from 1960 to 1965, according to .Spector worked on iconic songs like "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers. The latter made history, deemed to be the most-played song on the radio and television of the 20th century, The Times reported.He also produced the Beatles' "Let It Be" and John Lennon's "Imagine."Lennon referred to Spector as "the greatest record producer ever," reported, and other iconic musicians, like Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson, replicated the style of sound Spector pioneered.In 2009, Spector was convicted of killing Clarkson in his castlelike mansion in Alhambra, a suburb on the outskirts of Los Angeles.The murder occurred in February 2003, when Spector drove Clarkson to his home after meeting at House of Blues. Spector's chauffeur later testified that he heard a popping sound, with Spector then emerging while holding a revolver and stating, "I think I killed somebody," according to The Times.Police found Clarkson fatally shot in the foyer of Spector's home.Clarkson was the star of the B-movie "Barbarian Queen" and had a small role in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."A 2007 trial ended in a hung jury, and a retrial in 2009 found Spector guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 19 years to life, which he was serving at the time of his death.Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York.

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.SKIP TO CONTENTBy Phil Spector, the famed music producer who was convicted of the 2003 murder of actor Lana Clarkson, died Saturday. He was 81.Spector, whose full name was Harvey Phillip Spector, died of natural causes at 6:35 p.m. at an unspecified hospital, the California Corrections Department said in a news release. A medical examiner will determine the official cause of death, according to the release.Long considered a visionary in the world of music, Spector produced albums for countless groups,...

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Phil Spector, convicted murderer and famed music producer, dies at 81

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