He's a Rebel: Phil Spector: Rock 'n' Roll's Legendary Producer (Paperback)

by Mark Ribowsky (Author)
Key Phrases: background singers, Phil Spector, New York, Gold Star (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Guitarist and songwriter Spector burst onto the California rock scene in 1958 with "To Know Him Is to Love Him," which rose to the top of the pop music charts. As he continued to compose, he also established a career as a record producer with such groups as the Paris Sisters, the Crystals, the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers and the Beatles (as that group was breaking up). Known to be temperamental and egotistical, with a personality that alienated many, he demanded total artistic control and developed a style that was dubbed the "Wall of Sound." While he is undoubtedly a seminal figure in rock history, this biography is so slavishly adulatory as to be risible. Ribowsky, a Manhattan freelance writer, not only calls Spector a genius and a leviathan, but also asserts that he "invented modern rock" and labels him the successor to Wagner and an American Mozart. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"A fascinating and heavily researched look at one of rock's most important figures." -- Blogcritics.org, 4/7/07

"Anyone interested in his era of music will want to read this interesting biography" -- Bookviews, March 2007

"Fresh new edition of an unbelievably dark tale." -- Harp, May 2007

Â"A new and timely editionÂ…Will spark renewed interest in SpectorÂ’s rollercoaster career.Â" -- The Bookseller (UK), 8/11/06

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (January 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306814714
• ISBN-13: 978-0306814716
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,537 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock's dreaded Spector, April 8, 2007

By	K. Best (Mansfield, Conn.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The author updates his 1989 biography of one of rock music's legendary geniuses with additional chapters that lead up to Phil Spector's murder trial this year. Ribowsky provides an inside look at the early days of the rock 'n' roll record industry, when record producers like Spector called all the shots and matched singers with songs until the Beatles kicked down the established formula for stardom. Spector's life was shaped by the early death of his father, being raised and dominated by his mother and sister, and his relentless drive for perfection in the recording studio. He created the so-called "Wall of Sound" and produced some of the best records in rock history, but left a trail of wreckage in his wake. Ribowsky captures the flavor of the music business and takes music fans through the behind-the-scenes stories of records made by the Ronnettes, Crystals, Gene Pitney, Beatles and Tina Turner.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Troubled Musical Genius, February 2, 2009

By	C. W. Emblom "Bill Emblom" (Ishpeming, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Author Mark Ribowsky has covered the troubled career of "Rock and Roll's Legendary Producer" quite well in this up-to-date biography of Phil Spector. The suicidal death of his father while Phil was a young boy robbed him of a male role model. Many words can be used to describe Phil. He established his Wall of Sound while recording some of the early hits such as Be My Baby, He's A Rebel, and Da Doo Ron Ron that distinguish the early 1960s. The book covers his relationship with his first wife who he cheated on by romancing and later marrying Veronica Bennett of The Ronettes, Darlene Love, The Righteous Brothers, Lenny Bruce, and others whose life crossed Phil Spector's. He was a perfectionist in his work, and he could be very difficult to work with. His insecurities keep popping up throughout his life as illustrated by his looking to alcohol as a solution to his problems, having temper tantrums by insisting on having things his own way, secluding himself in his home, and his disrespectful treatment of women. Phil Spector undoubtedly is/was a musical genius, but he is a deeply troubled man. This is a good biography, but be prepared to wade through a lot of ghastly situations in the life of Phil Spector.

5.0 out of 5 stars Rebel he is !, September 4, 2007

By	JB (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This gave me some insight into Phil's life, as I am now seeing his Murder trial play out on Court TV. He has always had problems with Women, guns,and drinking to much, as well as possible pychotic episodes. A "Madman", he is called that cheated many a singer out of their due. And songs that I remember from the 50's, 60's, along with working on the Beatles album "Let It Be". This is an updated version and refers to the Lana Clarkson Murder Case, for which he is in, at the present time.

Joan