Nedra Talley Ross, Last of the Ronettes, Dies at 80
Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of the legendary 1960s girl group The Ronettes, has died at the age of 80. The American singer, who performed alongside her cousins Ronnie and Estelle Bennett, passed away peacefully at her home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, surrounded by family.
The news was announced on the group's official social media accounts, with a heartfelt statement reading: 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nedra Talley Ross' passing. She was a light to those who knew and loved her.' The tribute continued: 'As a founding member of The Ronettes, along with her beloved cousins Ronnie and Estelle, Nedra's voice, style and spirit helped define a sound that would change music. Her contribution to the group's story and their defining influence will live forever. Rest peacefully, dear Nedra. Thanks for the magic.'
Talley Ross' daughter, Nedra K. Ross, shared additional details on Facebook, writing: 'At approximately 8:30 this morning our mother Nedra Talley Ross went home to be with the Lord. She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved. Thank you Lord. There will be a Celebration of Life in the future, and I will post information when plans have been confirmed.'
Born in 1946, Talley Ross began performing with her cousins as teenagers in New York City. They were discovered by Murray Kaufman while performing at the Peppermint Lounge, where he hired them as dancers for his Brooklyn Fox Theater rock and roll revues. In 1963, the trio changed their name from The Darling Sisters to The Ronettes after signing with Phil Spector's Phillies Records.
Although the group released only one studio album, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes, they placed nine songs on the Billboard Hot 100, with six becoming Top 40 hits. Their most famous songs include 'Be My Baby,' 'Baby, I Love You,' and '(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up.' 'Be My Baby,' which Beach Boys' Brian Wilson called 'the greatest record ever produced,' spent three weeks at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963 and was featured in the opening credits of Martin Scorsese's film Mean Streets.
The Ronettes' music has been used in nearly 100 movies and TV shows, including Quadrophenia, Twist + Shout, Moonlighting, Dirty Dancing, The Wonder Years, How I Met Your Mother, Fred Claus, Glee, The Simpsons, Pretty Little Liars, Bridget Jones's Baby, Billions, Industry, Priscilla, and The Bear.
The group also opened for The Beatles on their 1966 US tour, and two years earlier, The Rolling Stones had been their opening act during a UK tour. However, the Ronettes disbanded within a year and never performed together again. Talley Ross later explained her decision, saying: 'I hated the "dog-eat-dog" side of show-business. I hated pushing for the next record and the feeling of failure if we didn't get it. There was a continual demand on us to produce that I thought was unfair. My personality didn't like that.' She also attributed her departure to her spiritual awakening and embrace of Christianity, as well as her desire to be a wife and mother.
After the group's breakup, Talley Ross pursued a solo career, recording a contemporary Christian album in 1978 and several singles. She married radio DJ Scott Ross, with whom she had four children. In later years, she worked in real estate and lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Talley Ross was the last surviving member of the Ronettes after Ronnie Spector died of cancer at age 78 in 2022 and Estelle Bennett died in 2009 at age 67.
