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

by: Mick Brown

Published by: Vintage

Reviewed by Connie Anderson

Phil Spector–Wasn’t he the musical genius in the 60s and 70s, the man who created “the wall of sound?” Wasn’t he the guy charged with murdering a 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson whom he had just met. Spector is both–but so much more in between.

I appreciated the thoroughness of this book. Brown left no aspect of Spector’s life unexamined. We ride the highs and lows of his work with the Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers, Cher, and other famous groups and individuals (including two former Beattles), and too many others to mention.

Counted as a friend were John Lennon and Lenny Bruce, who both died young. He shared with many of his friends the experience of father abandonment (his committed suicide when he was 9).

Spector often co-wrote songs (or simply added his name) and was a very accomplished musician on several instruments. He had a keen ear for the right combination of instruments and sounds.

The Righteous Brothers “Lost that Loving Feeling” (produced by Spector) is the most requested song ever–first to exceed 7 million performances. But Spector was so difficult to work with because of his demands and eccentric behavior that many worked with him only once.

Brown filled the 466 pages with so much info I was often on overload (happily). Every story showed Spector bordering on genius–and madman–often at the same time. He was eccentric in both clothing and hairstyle, and loved being noticed, even negatively. Once he had the status of needing bodyguards, he could be rude and they’d handle things.

A loyal secretary said, “I don’t think Phil likes himself as much as other people like him,” and he was forever trying to prove himself, mostly to himself. He didn’t know what happiness was. A former girlfriend said, “I don’t think he minded being thought of as neurotic, but he didn’t want to show that he was venerable.” For multimillionaire Spector, money did not buy happiness.

I found the book fascinating and would recommend it to anyone who loved music from that era–or reading about a genius who fell hard. Only a small portion of the book is devoted to the 2003 murder and trial, the first ending in a mistrial in 2007.

Armchair Interview says: Brown, a British journalist, author and broadcaster, used a very even-handed approach to Spector’s life, and it is obvious he also really knows the music business.