Phil Spector's 'wall of sound' masterpiece

Spector session
Members of the Wrecking Crew assempled for a session with producer Phil Spector. The musicians were the ones who created Spector's famed "wall of sound."
Image courtesy Denny Tedesco

Fifty years ago today producer Phil Spector walked into a studio in Los Angeles determined to make his ultimate "wall of sound" masterpiece.

He assembled a 21-piece orchestra and a 21-voice choir. He also paid Ike Turner $20,000 to stay away from the studio so he wouldn't interfere with his wife's performance.

Seeking perfection, Spector made Tina Turner sing her part over and over and over again. She later recalled "I must have sung it 500,000 times. I was drenched with sweat. I had to take my shirt off and stand there in my bra to sing."

And that's how Turner delivered one of the signature vocal performances of her career.

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