Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81

'Be my baby', arguably the best AM radio song ever.

One of the all time great, talented producers. But, he was a murderer and violent individual.

RIP to Lana Clarkson.

The music he helped shape is peerless, truly a pioneer and genius. But it’s the same quandary we have to approach when enjoying work by Michael Jackson or Polanski.

I have no problem with separating the person from the product.

 he also ruined the Beatles' Let It Be, was responsible for Leonard Cohen's worst album ever - Death of A Ladies' Man - pulled guns on Cohen and John Lennon, and then to bring it all to a sick and sorry climax he murdered a woman he'd met just hours before and was jailed for life. His marriage to Ronnie Spector was an ordeal (for her) of physical and mental abuse, and by most accounts he was an unpleasant, sick, mentally unbalanced pain in the ass.

He also pulled out a gun on Johnny Ramone too. Johnny had been repeating a guitar riff all day and he was tired, Phil aimed a gun at him and told him, 'No, you ain't done for the day yet'. Sessions for the Ramones' 'End of the Century' album were rough.

Ronnie wrote in her autobiography that Phil often put on greasepaint (blackface), put on a wig and go to a Black American church and sing gospel songs.

Rock'n'roll has its share of eccentrics. Then again, rock'n'roll is so universal and the very first rockers were already diverse - white, black, hispanic, man, woman, straight, gay, Christian, Jewish, etc. If you got it, you got it - no matter what you are or what your background is.

Bob FosseToday  12:42 pm JST

The music he helped shape is peerless, truly a pioneer and genius. But it’s the same quandary we have to approach when enjoying work by Michael Jackson or Polanski.

I have no problem with separating the person from the product.

Just like Jerry Lee Lewis. If the disgusting character traits aren't reflected in the musi, I'm OK with it. However, some artists and writers are so sick and disgusting and will go out of their way to let you know it in their songs, it reflects that. I avoid them.

However, some artists and writers are so sick and disgusting and will go out of their way to let you know it in their songs, it reflects that. I avoid them.

I’d say each time their own. GG Allin was a vile person but wrote a catchy tune or two.

Bob FosseToday  01:40 pm JST

However, some artists and writers are so sick and disgusting and will go out of their way to let you know it in their songs, it reflects that. I avoid them.

I’d say each time their own. GG Allin was a vile person but wrote a catchy tune or two.

He wasted what little talent he had. He went out of his way to offend as many people as he could. And what few people who did go to his shows often got into fights with him. Even though punk often has shock value, it shouldn't need to be that empty headed.

I respect integrity in music. Lemmy, GG, Fugazi, truly did do it ‘my way’. Didn’t please everyone but that was the furthest thing from their minds.

Spector was similarly stubborn but also a murderer, so I can’t respect the man.

But the songs remain and are great.

My thoughts are with all the murderers who weren't skilled at making songs and so don't get lovingly crafted obituaries about how wonderful, yet flawed they are, despite the fact that they killed another human being.

My thoughts are with all the murderers who weren't skilled at making songs and so don't get lovingly crafted obituaries about how wonderful, yet flawed they are, despite the fact that they killed another human being.

Which non-musically gifted murderers are you thinking about today?

I feel like the answer to your question is already in my post.

I feel like the answer to your question is already in my post.

I feel like your answer to my question means you are thinking about Dahmer because he didn’t play an instrument.