RIP: Ellie Greenwich

Another face behind the hits has passed, with the death of songwriter and producer Ellie Greenwich in New York at the age of 68. Although many music fans might not know her name, she is the writer and co-writer on a string of all-time classics that include “Be My Baby”, “Da Doo Ron Ron”, “River Deep, Mountain High” and “Leader of the Pack”. Phil Spector played a part in many of these, but Greenwich also had hits with a range of record companies and publishers. Elton John, Cher, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, Celine Dion, U2 and Twisted Sister are just some of the performers that have covered her songs, with performers such as Neil Diamond crediting her with his early success.