News Ronnie Spector, who rose to fame as leader of the Ronettes, dies at 78 after cancer battle January 12, 2022 Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY Comments Off on Ronnie Spector, who rose to fame as leader of the Ronettes, dies at 78 after cancer battle Ronnie Spector, potent voice behind Ronette's hits "Be My Baby" and "Baby I Love You," has died at the age of 78 after a brief battle with cancer.