Phil Spector: The story of the music legend who murdered actress Lana Clarkson

8 years ago today, the acclaimed music producer was prosecuted (later arrested) for murdering Lana Clarkson.

Who is Phil Spector?

Phil Spector is a legend in his own right. Acknowledged as one of the most influential figures in pop music history, there is no denying that the now 77-year old producer shaped the music industry back in the early 60’s. Spector developed the hugely influential “Wall of Sound” technique in recording music. Basically, the technique makes the sound of the song more grandiose by adding a lot of reverb and echoes.

Listen to these two drastically different sound of the Beatles’ Across the Universe (1969). One is the original outtake The Beatles recorded and the other one is remixed and produced by Phil Spector.

Spector worked with a lot of acts in his career that include the likes of girl groups The Ronettes and The Crystals, The Righteous Brothers, Leonard Cohen,The Beatles, George Harrison, and The Ramones.He also produced the hugely influential Christmas album, A Christmas Gift for You, a compilation of holiday songs recorded by Spector’s regular artists. Another great album that features his ‘Wall of Sound’ technique.
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What went wrong?

On February 3, 2003, actress Lana Clarkson was found dead in the castle belonging to the 65-year old Spector. Clarkson was picked up by Spector in his limousine the night before. The couple went inside the music legend’s 33-room castle while the driver of the limo waited outside. About an hour later, the driver heard a gunshot before Spector exited his house through the back door with a gun. He was quoted as saying, according to affidavits, "I think I just shot her." Spector later said Clarkson's death was an "accidental suicide" and that she "kissed the gun"

Thus began a trial that took over six years. In 2009, the prosecutor in the Phil Spector murder trial told the jury he was a "demonic maniac" when he drinks and "a very dangerous man" around women. Deputy District Attorney Truc Do urged jurors to find the music producer guilty of murdering the Hollywood actress. During her closing argument, the D.A. also accused Spector of demonstrating a "conscious disregard for human life".

Spector is currently convicted of second degree murder. He is serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life and will be 88 years old before becoming eligible for parole.