Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of The Ronettes, has died.
The 1960s girl group singer was 80 when she passed.
Announcement
Nedra Talley Ross’ death was announced on The Ronettes’ official social media accounts on April 26th.
“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. 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.”
The message added, “Her contribution to the group’s story and their defining influence will live forever. Rest peacefully, dear Nedra. Thanks for the magic.”
As of now, the cause of Talley Ross’ death is unclear.
Talley Ross’ daughter, Nedra K. Ross, also posted about her mother’s death on Facebook.
She wrote, “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.”
The Ronettes
The Ronettes consisted of lead singer Ronnie Spector, older sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Talley Ross. They first performed together as teenagers in New York City, frequenting the Peppermint Lounge.
After a while, they were discovered by Murray “Murray the K” Kaufman, who hired them as dancers for his Brooklyn Fox Theater. They later signed with Phil Spector’s label, Philles Records, in 1963, releasing a studio album.
Some of their biggest hits included “Be My Baby,” “Walking in the Rain,” “Baby, I Love You,” and “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up.”
The Ronettes toured Europe in 1967, opening for the Rolling Stones and the Beatles for their last world tour. They performed together for the last time in 1966 and split in 1967.
Along with their music, The Ronettes were known for their memorable style and beehive hair.
Spector shared with People in 2018, “We wanted to be different because there were all these other girl groups with wide dresses. When the Supremes came on, they had on gowns. I said, ‘Uh uh. That’s not our look.’ My aunt made us our first outfits, and I told her, ‘I don’t want anything wide, we want something tight,’ because we’d dance.”
Other Deaths
Bennett died in February 2009 from colon cancer at 67 years old.
Specter also passed from cancer, dying in January 2022 at 78 years old.