I was all set to come in with a story about how “this is a sad day for rock and roll,” but that hair makes it impossible.  Gun toting murderous musical crazy, Phil Spector, was handed a sentence of 19 years to life this afternoon.   The jail term stems from the death of an actress, Lana Clarkson, who was shot in Spector’s house in 2003.

Spector was  most famous for his “Wall Of Sound” recording style that made 60’s girl groups sound incredible and The Beatles sound like a muddled mess.   Equally impressive, however, was his manic behavior.   Notorious for freak-outs, violent outbursts, and tantrums,  the producer has had a history of strange incidents.   Previous examples include accusations of molestation by his sons, the kidnapping and imprisonment of his wife, Ronnie, a fight with John Lennon where he fired several shots into the ceiling, and a bizarre  recording session with The Ramones where he held the band at gun point until they played the Ronnettes hit “Baby I Love You.” 

In 1999, Time Magazine reported that each night, Spector would stalk the grounds of his estate, skulking through the bushes, wearing nothing but a Batman costume.

I’m sure he’s disappointed to learn that his cell will not have a glass coffin for his wife….a feature once boasted by his California estate.

Bye Bye, Baby.

-Robert Laurie