Arts & Entertainment
 

Spector should be released

Psychotic producer deserves amnesty afforded to other celebrities

Stay Sick

Jason Gagnon

With the status of celebrity comes quite a few nice perks: public adoration, free stuff you could easily afford yourself and of course, getting away with criminal acts. Just look at the history of rock and movie stars who've had brushes with the law. O.J. Simpson got away with a double murder, and Robert Downey Jr. has been given numerous slaps on the wrist for drug offenses. But, in the crazy world of rock 'n' roll, it seems that the accused get more leeway than anyone else. Vince Neil of Motley Crue (hell, the whole band is a good example) got 30 days in jail and a fine, and he killed somebody. In fact, in the band's biography, he talks about how the guards would bring in groupies and other amenities afforded to him behind bars. 

What the above all have in common is that they have not contributed nearly as much to the world as legendary psychotic producer Phil Spector. He is currently awaiting trial for the shooting death of a B-movie actress in his prison-like estate. I'm not going to speculate on his guilt, but I do know he's a little nutty. Tales of his tyrannical recording sessions are widely known, and his former wife Ronnie Spector (of the Ronettes) documented his torture methods graphically in her autobiography. 

Still, I want this man freed right now. Spector changed rock 'n' roll forever in the 1960s with the creation of his Wall of Sound. This is known for its lush layering of multiple instruments that is best seen in classics like "Be My Baby," "Unchained Melody" and "(The Best Part of) Breaking Up," a personal favorite of mine. Known mostly for his success with girl groups like the Crystals and Ronettes, Spector is universally acknowledged as the sole genius behind the almost continuous string of smash hits he produced. Listening to those records, it makes sense. 

The man's work would even influence the Ramones, whose End of the Century he produced, showing the world what the band would sound like if it spent more than a few days in the studio. The late Dee Dee Ramone had often claimed that Spector held him hostage at gunpoint during the sessions, but this has been denied by the other Ramones. 

Take into account all those beautiful love songs he recorded and one interesting theory presents itself. Probably half of the kids born during his reign at the top of rock 'n' roll were probably conceived in the backseat of a car while "Baby I Love You" or "I'll Never Need More Than This" played on the radio. Spector's timeless music stirred more emotions in one decade than most artists can do in their entire career. 

I know many of you are going to think me an evil man because I want a suspected murderer immediately released, but hear me out. As a condition to having the charges dropped, Spector must record five albums over the next decade. Rock 'n' roll certainly needs the help right now. Wouldn't it be great to hear a love song on the radio that actually felt sincere and true? Or just a good song for that matter. Well, the only way this will happen is by ensuring that history repeats itself and another accused celebrity criminal is set free. Free Phil Spector!


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