Ronnie Spector’s brings her “Beyond the Beehive” show to The Ridgefield Playhouse

                     On Saturday, May 19, at 8 p.m., Ronnie Spector's "Beyond the Beehive" will bring an era of pop music to life with an evening of stories, images and music.  She will sing hits that include "Be My Baby", "Baby I Love You" and many others. Only a few artists have been capable of defining an entire era in pop music. Ronnie Spector is one of those artists. She embodies the heart, soul and passion of female rock and roll in the 1960s. Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. The style, look, and sound of Ronnie Spector have served as an inspiration and role model for a generation of rock and roll women. In her sensuality, attitude, and dress, Ronnie created a revolutionary personal and performing style. On stage, on record, or on the screen, a Ronnie Spector performance is a jubilant celebration of the power of pop.

This concert is part of the Guinness Black Lager Rock Series.

                    As the #1 pop group in England, Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes headlined over acts like the Rolling Stones and Yardbirds. The Beatles personally requested that the Ronettes join their final U.S. tour in 1966. Later that year, at Basin Street East, a talented young comedian named Richard Pryor was the opening act for the Ronettes' final live performance.  In 1976, Billy Joel wrote “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” as a tribute to Ronnie. The next year, she recorded the song with backing by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and it was issued as a single on Epic Records.

                    Ronnie Spector's rock and roll renditions of “Frosty the Snowman”, “Sleigh Ride”, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are holiday classics. Her  “Sleigh Ride” (#4) and “Frosty the Snowman” (#16) are on ASCAP's top 20 most played Christmas songs of the past five years. She is also the only artist with two songs on the list.

                     In 1986, Ronnie's duet with Eddie Money, “Take Me Home Tonight”, reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hung on the chart for 23 weeks. The song was nominated for a Grammy® Award. In 1987, Ronnie returned to recording with her Columbia album, Unfinished Business. She went on to star in the HBO/Cinemax special “Legendary Ladies of Rock,” presented on the American Music Awards, and performed on the NBC network special “Merry Motown Christmas.” In 1988, she introduced Ronnie Spector's Christmas Party, and it has become a seasonal celebration playing to audiences across the country.

                        For tickets ($42) and more information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.    The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.