Tearing Down the Wall of Sound: The Rise and Fall of Phil Spector

Reading this book, it's evident that Spector had some issues from an early time in his life that have carried on through until now. Add to that his eccentricity, treatment of women, love of guns and you have the recipe for disaster. This colorful character who at times flirted with genius but who will probably die in prison now, is well detailed by Mick Brown in this sizeable biography.

I've read them all, and this is both the best-researched and best-written biography of Phil Spector. I got a fuller picture of Spector, the (troubled, neurotic, brilliant, unstable) man than I have from any other book. In addition, the author places Spector's work in its proper historic perspective, with great insights into the shifting world of pop music, from Spector's rise in the early 60s through his decline in the 70s. He interviewed many of those who helped to create the "wall of sound," so we get a good idea of how the Spector classics came to be, as well as innumerable amusing, interesting or, at times, appalling anecdotes. If you love Spector's music, or 60s pop in general, this is a must-read.

All I can say is WOW! Mick Brown not only did amazing research, conducted exhaustive interviews, but he made the result an infinitely satisfying and readable story about a man gone awry. I've listened to the results of his work for years, and now I listen to it with a new understanding and appreciation of the (mad)man who made it happen. You'll see the man and some of the people whose lives he touched (positively and otherwise) in a new light. By turns fascinating and revolting, you'll have a hard time putting it down.

This book will tell you all you want to know about music producer Phil Spector in addition to a number of things you could do without. It is, without question, a thorough biography. The only thing missing is the outcome of the trial in which he is accused of murdering Lana Clarkson. Scarred during childhood by the suicide of his father and the bullying he received at school, Spector used people to advance his own cause. He would treat his musicians wonderfully while his singers who would make hits of the songs he produced would often be treated contemptuously as only teen-agers. He needed people around him to ward off the loneliness, but treated them in such a way they would abandon him. Several of his friends, among them Lenny Bruce and John Lennon, passed away leaving Spector to deliver eulogies at their funerals. His unfortunate marriage to Ronnie Bennett of The Ronettes was doomed to fail. He was smitten by her beauty while she was hoping he would advance her singing career. Upon marriage Spector slammed the door on her career by keeping her holed up in their mansion. Prescription drugs, alcohol, an arsenal of guns, bizarre behavior, and his hair trigger temper of screaming profanities have formed a combustible mixture in dealing with people throughout the decades. In the past he has threatened others who visited his mansion when they have wanted to leave, and whether he is found guilty of Ms. Clarkson's murder remains to be seen. Phil Spector's life, by his own admission, has not been a happy one. This is a very depressing life story. For Phil Spector's sake I sincerely hope he gets his life straightened out.

Those familiar with Mick Brown's work for newspapers or his earlier books (in particular The Spiritual Tourist) will have an idea of what to expect. Intelligent, thoughtful and stylish writing of the highest order. Mick manages to cram the book with myriad facts, while never seeming to make it information heavy, but he also never loses sight of his subject. Unlike many biographers, Mick places Spector within the broad sweep of his life and times while simultaneously showing him to be a three dimensional character. From the earliest pages Spector, a man who many of us think we know but in reality what we know is rumour and tittle-tattle, becomes more than just a name, a reputation and a myth - he becomes a real person. This book will standout for many years to come as one of the single best biographies about a musician, or for that matter a man or woman from whatever walk of life.