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1965: The Ronettes Release ‘Is This What I Get For Loving You’
In April 1965, The Ronettes release “Is This What I Get For Loving You,” one of the most powerful productions released by the group during the 1960s. The percussion breaks behind Ronnie Spector’s vocal are especially intense. This record was cut between massive productions for The Righteous Brothers and building toward the following years’ signature breakthroughs by Phil Spector for Ike & Tina Turner.
1961: Phil Spector Produces Arlene Smith Solo Record
In April 1961, Phil Spector produces a solo record Arlene Smith, lead singer of The Chantels, who had one of the very first rock ‘n’ roll era Girl Group hits in 1957, “Maybe.” Arlene sings “Love, Love, Love” and the Gerry Goffin/Carol King number “He Knows I Love Him Too Much” on this hard-to-find disc.
1964: The Rolling Stones’ Debut LP Released In England
1964: The Rolling Stones’ debut LP released in England. Phil Spector and Gene Pitney showed up for the session that produced the album’s opening track “Not Fade Away” (Phil plays maracas) plus “Now I’ve Got A Witness” and “Little By Little” (which Phil co-wrote). Two out-takes, “Mr. Spector and Mr. Pitney Came Too” and “Andrew’s Blues,” were also recorded. The following year, a loose 4 a.m. session at RCA studios in Hollywood has Phil playing bass, Jack Nitzsche playing harpsichord, Keith Richards playing acoustic guitar and Mick Jagger singing. The song becomes “Play With Fire,” which in retrospect Andrew Loog Oldham signified as the moment The Rolling Stones’ songwriting took a giant leap forward toward the dynamics of their mid-’60s psychedelic material.