When I looked Phil Spector up on the Internet this is what I found: "Harvey Phillip Spector was an American record producer, songwriter, and convicted murderer." Whoa, what a peculiar combination! Spector (1939-2021) had what you might call a checkered background.
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Per Britannica, he was arguably a pioneer in the music industry. Spector devised a new technique called the "wall of sound," which referred to a recording method that involved what the outlet termed "lavish instrumentation." Twenty-two years ago, however, a major scandal caught up with him. In 2003, an actress named Lana Clarkson was shot to death at Spector's home. He was charged with her murder. After a mistrial, Spector found himself convicted of second degree murder in a subsequent retrial. Spector got "19 years to life in prison." He passed away from Covid-19 complications four years ago, leaving a complex legacy of artistic achievement and personal ignominy.
When Phil Spector crossed paths with the Beatles, all did not go without a hitch. In fact, they went famously haywire. Therein lies an intriguing tale.
Phil Spector Was Involved With The Beatles' 'Let It Be' In 1970
His Role In That Effort Reportedly Chagrined Paul McCartney
Per American Songwriter, McCartney thought that the Let It Be album and film would help bring the band closer. Unfortunately, it didn't. Whatever latent tensions existed between him, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison were only apparently inflamed by the twin projects.
Let It Be wound up messily "in limbo," per the outlet, so enter Phil Spector. He was already chummy with Harrison and Lennon. Thus he jumped in with both feet and "made some odd choices," according to American Songwriter. One of them was putting a female choir and strings on "The Long and Winding Road," which reportedly infuriated McCartney. He conceived that song as a pristine and melancholy track, not a complicated, glitzy, over-produced number.
'Let It Be' Dropped In The Spring Of 1970
Phil Spector's Contributions To The Effort Were Included
The Beatles announced their breakup at roughly the same time as Let It Be was released. In the years since, there have been reissues, in 2003 and 2021, that indicate what the project could and should have been. Regardless, it was a magnificent farewell from the most game-changing rock band in music history.
