Nedra Talley Ross, final surviving member of The Ronettes, dead at 80
Nedra Talley Ross, the final surviving member of the iconic girl group The Ronettes, has died aged 80.
The news was announced on April 26th in a Facebook post from the singer’s daughter, Nedra K Ross, who confirmed her mother had died earlier that day.
In her statement, she said: “At approximately 8:30 this morning our mother Nedra Talley Ross went home to be with the Lord.”
She added: “She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved. Thank you Lord,” revealing no cause of death for her mother at this time.
Talley Ross shot to fame in the 1960s alongside her cousins Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett, creating huge hits of the era, including ‘Be My Baby’. Despite only ever releasing one album, the impact of The Ronettes went on to transcend the music industry.
Famously supporting major bands like The Rolling Stones on tour in 1964, the singer went on to have a brief relationship with Brian Jones. Along with her cousins, they also became the only girl group to ever support The Beatles on tour.
After the band’s split in 1967, Talley Ross admitted her “personality didn’t like” the fame aspect of her career, and subsequently turned her focus to Christianity, on top of being a mother and wife.
In 1978, she released a solo album called Full Circle, consisting of Christian music, before beginning a career in real estate.
Describing her as “a light to those who knew and loved her”, the news of Talley Ross’s passing was also shared on the official Instagram account for The Ronettes, in a statement that added, “As a founding member of The Ronettes, along with her beloved cousins Ronnie and Estelle, Nedra’s voice, style and spirit helped define a sound that would change music.”
It continued: “Her contribution to the group’s story and their defining influence will live forever. Rest peacefully dear Nedra. Thanks for the magic.”
Talley Ross had become the last surviving member of The Ronettes after Bennett passed away in 2009 and Spector died in 2022.
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