February 13, 2009 10:35

Ronettes singer Estelle Bennett dies

Sister Ronnie Spector pays tribute to her

Estelle Bennett, one of The Ronettes, has died. She was 67.

Bennett was found dead in her New Jersey home on Wednesday (February 11) by police, after relatives had been unable to contact her.

Her brother-in-law, Jonathan Greenfield - who is married to sister and fellow Ronette Ronnie Spector - said the time and cause of death is yet to be confirmed, reports Associated Press.

"Estelle was Ronnie's sidekick in The Ronettes," Greenfield said yesterday. "She was very much into fashion and worked with Ronnie on the whole look and style of The Ronettes."

Writing on Ronniespector.com, Spector paid tribute to her sister in a post entitled 'Estelle is gone'.

She wrote: "To my beloved sister, rest in peace, you deserve it. I love you, Ronnie."

The Ronettes were most famous for their 1963 hit 'Be My Baby', which has since been covered by stars including John Lennon, Glasvegas and Amy Winehouse.

The Phil Spector-produced band were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

Although they split up in 1966, their influence was widespread, with the Ramones, Brian Wilson and The Rolling Stones (among many others) all hailing their importance.

As well as her sister, Bennett is survived by a daughter and three grandsons.