Songwriter Ellie Greenwich Dies at 69

[HomerRamone]

Source: Theater Mania

Ellie Greenwich, one of the foremost songwriters of the rock 'n' roll era, has died at age 69.

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In addition to the song "Leader of the Pack," Greenwich wrote such iconic hits as "Be My Baby," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Tell Laura I Love Her" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." In 1991, she and Jeff Barry, her former husband and songwriting and producing partner, were inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

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During her career as writer and producer, Greenwich also worked with such top talents as Phil Spector, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Lesley Gore, Bobby Darin, Nona Hendryx, and Cyndi Lauper.

She is survived by her sister, Laura Weiner. Donations can be made to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

Read more: http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/news/08-2009/songwriter-ellie-greenwich-dies-at-69_20883.html

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one of the greatest songwriters of all time...

[amandabeech]

1. "Be My Baby."

What a great song from a remarkable body of work.

RIP Ellie Greenwood.

[Libertas1776]

2. So sad

truly one of the greatest songwriters of all time. A real master, she will be missed.

[HomerRamone]

3. if you don't recognize her name...

"And Then He Kissed Me"
"Baby I Love You"
"Be My Baby"
"Chapel Of Love"
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
"Da Doo Ron Ron"
"Do Wah Diddy Diddy"
"Hanky Panky"
"I Can Hear Music"
"Leader Of The Pack"
"Maybe I Know"
"River Deep, Mountain High"

much, much more: http://www.elliegreenwich.com/musicography.htm

[Iggo]

7. Goddam. Those are some huge songs.

You could write Be My Baby and Chapel Of Love and call it a career.

Man, that's a helluva resume.

[MurrayDelph]

8. "Do Wah Diddy"?

I loved that song. It was a great song, whose name told you what kind of song it was.

[Dogtown]

4. RIP

K&R

[Berry Cool]

5. She wrote a lot of the fondly remembered great songs of the '60s.

RIP...

K&R

[Billy Burnett]

6. A double whammy today is.

:(

:(

[abq e streeter]

9. Just had an email exchange with an old friend about The Shangri-Las & Ellie Greenwich recently

he included this: "Ellie Greenwich taught at my old high school, General Douglas Mac Arthur H.S. , in Levittown ,NY briefly in the fall of 1961 before it was determined that she would be better served by focusing on her music career." While obviously not on a par as far as national significance, as the passing of Senator Kennedy, who I of course mourn along with all of DU,and with people of decency and compassion everywhere , I am terribly sad to hear of Ellie Greenwich's death as well. I loved her music, and when one thinks of the astounding number of not just huge hit songs, but GREAT hit songs that came from the so-called "Brill Building" teams, it is mind boggling to realize the concentration of talent in that one place and time. Along with the two other legendary female songwriters there ( with props also to their creative partners, Jeff Barry, Barry Mann and Gerry Goffin)... Cynthia Weil, and of course, (speaking of legends) Carol King, Ellie Greenwich wrote and co-wrote songs that to these ears anyway, sound as fresh and fun and wonderful to listen to, as they did the first times I ever heard them. Ellie Greenwich, you brought much happiness and wonder to a kid who barely dared dream that one day, he would also, in his own relatively infinitesimal way, be part of the glorious, grand American tradition of rock and roll. Rest in Peace, Ms.Greenwich, and may your loved ones have within their grief, a feeling of great pride...... Meanwhile, I'm off to crank up The Ronettes,Darlene Love and The Crystals ...

[slampoet]

10. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." the only good Christmas song written in the USA in 40 years.

May she RIP (w/ do-wop angels)

[Amerigo Vespucci]

14. Among Darlene Love's many annual performances of the song on David Letterman's show...

...THIS one's got to be the best, from 1995, and a fitting way to remember Ellie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbzhrjz_gVc

:toast:

[mitchum]

11. An immortal for "Be My Baby" alone

Rest In Peace

[Vidar]

12. RIP Ms. Greenwich.

[tilsammans]

13. Ellie was one of the greats of songwriting!

Back in the mid-eighties, I had the pleasure to meet her during her short-lived Broadway show, "Leader of the Pack."

RIP, Ellie. And thank you for all the memorable music. :applause:

[The Sushi Bandit]

15. Hit 60's songwriter Ellie Greenwich dies

Source: Daily Mail & Current TV

Ellie Greenwich, the songwriter behind Sixties hits including 'Chapel of Love' and 'Da Doo Ron Ron,' has died of a heart attack at a New York hospital.

Other hits included:
The Crystals' 'Then He Kissed Me'
The Ronettes' 'Be My Baby.'
The Dixie Cups' 'Chapel of Love'.
Ike and Tina Turner, 'River Deep, Mountain High',
Neil Diamond, including 'Cherry, Cherry' and 'Kentucky Woman.'
"Do Wah Diddy Diddy," taken to the #1 by Manfred Mann
"I Can Hear Music", recorded by The Ronettes and by The Beach Boys

She was also a session singer, recording so many demos that she became known as New York's Demo Queen.

Ellie was 68.

Read more: http://current.com/items/90801952_hit-60s-songwriter-ellie-greenwich-dies.htm

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her music gave me so many fine memories.

[Canuckistanian]

16. A Motown legend

I've never heard of her name before, but I sure know the music.

RIP, Ellie.

[bitchkitty]

17. Motown? n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

18. Impressive body of work. "Tell Laura I Love Her" is my favorite...

Love that tearjerker song... Here's the version I remember. ;(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9gjCdDu90s