The Ronettes were a New York City-based American girl group from Washington Heights. Lead singer Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector), her older sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley comprised the group. They had been singing as “The Darling Sisters” since they were teenagers. Signed first by Colpix Records in 1961, they moved to Phil Spector’s Philles Records in March 1963 and changed their name to “The Ronettes”.

The Ronettes had nine Billboard Hot 100 hits, six of which were Top 40 hits. “Be My Baby,” their only contemporary top 10 hit, “Baby, I Love You,” “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up,” and “Walking in the Rain” are among their hit songs. Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica was the group’s only studio album, released in 1964.

When they toured the UK that year, the Rolling Stones were their opening act. The Ronettes were the only girl group to tour with the Beatles on their 1966 US tour, becoming the only girl group to do so before splitting up in 1967. The group was briefly revived as Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes in the 1970s.

Were the Ronettes black or white?

The Ronettes were multiracial, which was uncommon in the 1960s. The Bennetts’ mother was Native American and black, and their father was white. Ronnie Spector stated in her autobiography that she was unsure whether she was black or white as a child.