Mad scientist. Gun-toting maniac. Virtuoso. Murder. But long before women were kissing guns in his L.A. mansion, Phil Spector began by dropping his signature on the doo-wop scene with his band The Teddy Bears and producing some of the greatest girl groups, then went on create unparalleled classics like The Beatles' Let It Be album and their later solo projects, such as Lennon's Imagine album. While Wall Of Sound influenced gems like Springsteen's "Born To Run" and The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" still send chills down any music fan's spine as if the Rock N Roll Fall of Fame-inducted maestro Spector himself had mastered them.
The grim genius has also produced tracks that punctuate unforgettable moments in great American films like Scorcese's use of The Crystals' "And Then He Kissed Me" in Goodfellas and the famous sing-along to The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" in Top Gun.
But which song stands out as the best example of his influence? Don't see the track that you think most encompasses Spector's style of lush layers and ornate orchestration? Leave it in the comments and we'll add it to be voted on!
Casandra Armour
