Brooklyn-born Eleanor Louise Greenwich, a Brill Building songwriter and producer perhaps best known for collaborations with Phil Spector on Wall of Sound powerhouses like the Ronettes “Be My Baby,” Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High,” and the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron,” passed away today in New York City.
Her ability to convey both the rapture and heartbreak of young love in music proved transcendant; the unbridled joy in the Crystals’ “Then He Kissed Me” and abject sadness in the Ronettes’ “I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine” come through as clearly today as they did forty years ago.
Alongside writing partner and then-husband Jeff Barry, Greenwich penned a stream of ’60s hits, including early rebel-girl classic “Leader of the Pack,” “Chapel of Love,” and “Do Wah Diddy,” and produced much of Neil Diamond’s early work (she is often credited with helping him get his start), including “Cherry Cherry” and “Kentucky Woman.”
Leader of the Pack, a play based on Greenwich’s life and songs, ran on Broadway in 1985, and earned a Tony nod for Best Musical; she also sang backing vocals for Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and on albums as diverse as Blondie’s Eat to the Beat and Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual.
Though she never achieved the type of marquee fame that she brought to other artists, she was an accomplished singer and performer in her own right. Listen below to “Sunshine After the Rain,” from her aptly-titled 1968 album Ellie Greenwich Composes, Produces & Sings:
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I saw the Broadway play about her life, “Leader of the Pack,” in 1985. It was a truly well-done musical, and it showcased her many accomplishments. At the time of that play, Ms. Greenwich was only 44 years old, and what a tribute to have already had a play written and produced about her. May she and her music always be remembered.
We did “Leader of the Pack” when I was in 9th grade and it was my favorite of all the musicals we did. She wrote some great stuff!
What I wouldn’t give to have the life she led! I love her music and am deeply saddened by her passing.
I’ve said for 20 years that if I could write one song half as good as Be My Baby, I could die happy. RIP, Ellie. Thank you for the music.
A very sad day for those of us privileged to have known Ellie and to have listened to her incredible music. I will always remember the joy she brought us during the original “Leader of the Pack” show at The Bottom Line in NYC. Rest in Peace, Ellie.
I can only hope that the next generation of songwriters have her talent. Because this generation does not (sadly).
One of the few famous people I really wish I could have met! I was a teen in the ’70′s and early ’80′s, so I only discovered her musical legacy via oldies stations, and every song of hers was like a tasty nuggget of Fun Pop. Groups like Blondie and Abba probably owe some debt to her earlier hits.
When I read John Simon’s review of “Leader of the Pack”, I wanted to whack him like a pinata until all the joy-hating snobbery spilled out.
Thanks for BE MY BABY and all
other great songs.
RIP, Ellie.
Thats sad.Shes going be missed by fans.
what a great life!….I was a just a kid when I first heard “Be my baby” and after seeing ronnie sing this great song..I knew i would be kissing more than just white girls….so many great songs!!
Oh man… “Chapel Of Love” was one of our wedding songs…
RIP…