Nedra Talley Ross, a singer best known as a founding member of the iconic 1960s girl group The Ronettes, has died at the age of 80, her family confirmed Sunday.
According to a statement shared by her daughter on Facebook, Talley Ross passed away peacefully at home on April 26, surrounded by loved ones. “She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved,” the post read.
Talley Ross was the last surviving original member of The Ronettes, the influential trio she formed with her cousins, lead singer Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett. The group rose to fame in the early 1960s after signing with producer Phil Spector’s Philles Records, becoming one of the defining acts of the era.
The Ronettes helped shape pop music with their signature sound and style, delivering classic hits such as “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You,” and “Walking in the Rain.” Their music played a key role in popularizing the “Wall of Sound” production technique and breaking racial barriers in the music industry, including touring with The Beatles in 1966.
Although the group disbanded in 1967, their legacy endured for decades. “Be My Baby” was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the group was recognized for its lasting influence on generations of artists.
Born on January 27, 1946, in New York City, Talley Ross continued her career after The Ronettes, including releasing Christian music and working outside the spotlight in later years.
Her bandmates predeceased her—Estelle Bennett died in 2009 and Ronnie Spector in 2022—making Talley Ross the final living member of the legendary trio at the time of her passing.
A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, and plans for a memorial service are expected to be announced in the coming days.
