Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of the iconic 1960s girl group the Ronettes, has died at the age of 80. Known for her sweet smile, she stood out in the trio that also included her cousins Veronica (later Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett. The group rose to fame with their 1963 hit "Be My Baby," produced by Phil Spector.
Early Life and Career
Born in Manhattan on 27 January 1946, Nedra grew up close to the Bennett sisters. Her father, Henry Talley, was of Puerto Rican descent, and her mother, Susie (nee Mobley), had African-American and Cherokee heritage. The trio began singing together as teenagers, initially performing as Ronnie and the Relatives. After winning a talent contest at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, they refined their act and started appearing at local events.
In 1961, they landed a gig as dancers at the Peppermint Lounge, the famous Mob-run venue where the Twist craze was in full swing. Despite being underage, Nedra and Ronnie were made to look older with extra makeup and tissue-stuffed bras, with help from their mothers.
Rise to Fame with the Ronettes
Disc jockey Murray the K took the group under his wing, featuring them on his radio show and adding them to his revue. Renamed the Ronettes, they recorded four singles for Colpix in 1961-62, but none made an impact. It was Phil Spector who recognised their potential, persuading them to leave Colpix and sign with his Philles label. Their first single with Spector, "Be My Baby," became a massive hit in 1963, followed by "Baby I Love You," "Walking in the Rain," and "Born to Be Together."
However, Spector's controlling nature meant that Nedra and Estelle were often excluded from recordings. For some hits, session singers replaced them, and Ronnie was ordered to Los Angeles alone for follow-ups. Nedra grew disillusioned with the music business, particularly after Spector tried to promote Ronnie as a solo act and demanded a larger share of royalties.
Departure and Later Life
Nedra left the Ronettes in 1967, marrying New York disc jockey Scott Ross. The couple became born-again Christians, and she devoted herself to family and gospel music, releasing an album in 1978 under her married name, Nedra Ross. She resisted all reunion attempts, focusing on raising her four children and several grandchildren.
The Ronettes reunited only for a $10m lawsuit against Spector (rejected on appeal in 2002) and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, where Keith Richards inducted them. Nedra was the last survivor of the trio, following Estelle's death in 2009 and Ronnie's in 2022. Scott Ross died in 2023.
Nedra Talley Ross passed away on 26 April 2026. Her legacy as a key member of one of the most influential girl groups of the 1960s endures.
