If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were the kind of organization that could select only one act to represent each category of music, in the girl group genre the Ronettes would almost certainly be atop the list. Two sisters and a cousin from upper Manhattan in love with music, dancing and fashion, they brought a winning combination of innocence and sass to 1960s rock 'n' roll. Lead singer Ronnie Spector's vocals anchored the groups sound by being simultaneously sultry and vulnerable.

Produced from 1963 to '66 by Ronnie's ex-husband Phil Spector, the eccentric "tycoon of teen," the trio's pocket symphonies of adolescent joy and heartbreak, such as 'Walking in the Rain,' 'Do I Love You' and the glorious 'Be My Baby,' helped many a 1960s-era boy or girl cope with the uncertainties of a fast-encroaching adulthood. The Ronettes have been admired by artists from the Beatles and the Beach Boys to Patti Smith and the Ramones, and their continuing influence -- both musically and visually -- on both rock gods and pop divas is palpable to this day. Ronnie Spector talked to Spinner about her storied past, active present and hopeful future.

What was your reaction when you heard the Ronettes were being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

When I first heard about it I was blown away. When they called me to induct me, I almost passed out. I felt so great. But you know what else? It didn't fit right in. When I did a show in Philly [in February], then I was beginning to say, "I am in the Hall of Fame!" Because you don't believe it.

Why do you think the group finally made it in after several years of eligibility?

You know, I've been so, like, every door closing on me because of my ex [Phil Spector]. It opened because he can't do anything else [to stop me].

Do you have some feeling of vindication of your talents that you got in, especially after being under Phil's thumb for so long?

Phil won the lottery when he met me, because I had a perfect voice. It wasn't a black voice, it wasn't a white voice. It was just a great voice. His whole life has been me. I met him when I was 17 years old.

How did the other Ronettes react to the news? Have you spoken to them about it?

I don't talk to them that much. And they never loved it like I did. I mean, they were getting married in '67, '68, and I'm saying, "Girls, how could you get married now? We have a great career." You know, I always wanted, and I got, my high school diploma, my career -- and then a husband and kids.

If you were the person inducting the Ronettes into the Hall of Fame, what things would you say made the group worthy of the honor?

I think it was our style, how we were so different, being interracial. I think it was the hair. I think it was the slits up the side -- we were very sexy.

Can you give an example of the Ronettes' sex appeal in action?

We had to play Germany, for the American soldiers. We went, and I'm telling you, so many guys were on the floor, you know, they haven't had sex in... And they saw us walk out there with the slits up the side, and then once I [finished] singing, they had an armored truck. And they made us get in and get in it fast! You know, we gave guys orgasms in a few continents.

Are either you or the whole group planning to perform at the Hall of Fame ceremony?

I don't know. As a matter of fact, Jonathan [Greenfield, Ronnie's husband and manager] tells me things later because I get so anxious, so he kinda keeps things away from me on purpose.

It must be sad that your friend Joey Ramone didn't live long enough to see this moment.

He was the sweetest, most genuine guy in rock 'n' roll. He loved it so much. He would come to my sound check just to hear me singing without the band and all that.

He produced your EP in 1999, even though he was dying from cancer.

He was so sick during the end. We sang all the songs: '[You Can't Put Your Arms Around a] Memory,' which is a Johnny Thunders song, and '[She Talks to] Rainbows,' which Joey wrote. But you know where I recorded it at? We did it in [producer] Daniel Ray's house because he was so sick.

You mean Joey was too sick to travel to a studio?

Yeah, exactly. But he came all the way to England just before he died just to let the audience know, "This is Ronnie, this is my baby, I love her," and he wasn't even supposed to take planes at that time. He knew he was gonna die, so he went all the way to England just to tell them, "[I did it] for her because she's the best and I love her." He was amazing, I mean amazing! He was so genuine, like I said, he loved it, he loved it. Like me!

You're into your fifth decade as a performer. What keeps you motivated as an artist?

I like talking about my future because that's what sustains me. When I go out and do those shows and I hear that applause and the standing ovations and little kids out there crying, you don't know that feeling. When I sing 'Be My Baby' and 'Walking in the Rain' I see people actually staring at me like, "Wow!" It's an amazing feeling.

Is it safe to assume you don't plan to retire any time soon?

I keep on trucking and moving forward. That's my whole thing. You know, I just wanna be in rock 'n' roll the rest of my life, and sing it and do it and love it.

--Gaylord Fields


More exclusive Rock Hall interviews:

R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe

Patti Smith

Van Halen's Sammy Hagar

Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five