Phil Spector, famous music producer and convicted murderer, dies at 81

Phil Spector, the famous music producer who was convicted of the 2003 murder of actor Lana Clarkson, died on Saturday. He was 81 years old.

Spector, full name Harvey Phillip Spector, died of natural causes at 6:35 p.m. in an unspecified hospital, according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections. A medical examiner will determine the official cause of death, the statement said.

Long regarded as a visionary in the music world, Spector has produced albums for countless bands including The Beatles, Ronettes and Righteous Brothers. Spector is credited with creating the music production technique known as “Wall of Sound”, which fused vocal harmonies with orchestral arrangements.

The technique has led to songs like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “He’s a Rebel” by The Crystals and “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes.

Twenty-four of Spector’s records landed in the Top 40 between 1960 and 1965, according to the New York Times.

Spector has worked on iconic songs like “Unchained Melody” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin ‘Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers. The latter went down in history as the most played song on radio and television of the 20th century, the Times reported.

He has also produced “Let It Be” by The Beatles and “Imagine” by John Lennon.

Lennon called Spector “the greatest record producer of all time,” the Associated Press reported, and other iconic musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson have reproduced the style of sound that Spector pioneered.

In 2009, Spector was convicted of murdering Clarkson at his castle-like mansion in Alhambra, a suburb on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

The murder took place in February 2003, when Spector drove Clarkson to his home after a meeting at the House of Blues. Spector’s driver later testified that he heard a popping sound, with Spector then emerging holding a gun and stating, “I think I killed someone,” according to the Times.

Police found Clarkson fatally shot in the hall of Spector’s house.

Clarkson was the star of the B movie “Barbarian Queen” and had a small role in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”.

A 2007 trial ended with a suspended jury, and a new trial in 2009 found Spector guilty of second degree murder.

He was sentenced to 19 years of life, which he was serving at the time of his death.