Blondie’s Close Call with Gun-Toting Phil Spector

Ultimate Classic Rock ^ | December 10, 2022 | Martin Kielty

[nickcarraway]

Blondie recalled their close call with a gun-toting Phil Spector in 1977, reflecting that they were fortunate to avoid working with the notorious producer.

The rising stars were still a year away from the big time, which arrived with the launch of third album Parallel Lines. On the other hand, Spector – who died in 2021 – had been a celebrated name for nearly two decades. Once known as the “first tycoon of teen” after forming a record label at the age of 21 and developing the “wall of sound” production technique, he’d soon enter semi-retirement and spend the last years of his life in jail for shooting actress Lana Clarkson dead in 2003.

[golux]

On arrival, the band were welcomed by Spector. “He answered the door to his house with a [Colt] .45 in one hand and a bottle of Manischewitz wine in the other hand,” Stein said.

It's hard to believe anyone would actually want to swig Maniscewitz, except, maybe, a sugar addict? With so many decent kosher wines in LA, that seems like a real stretch. Did Spector even keep kosher? And - Was it really a Colt .45? Does this fellow know guns so well? Was it a 1911 or a revolver? And - with which hand did Spector answer the door?

[Manuel OKelley]

As an aside, I heard an interview with Lemmy Kilmister taking about the Beatles and Rolling Stones where he said that the members of the Beatles were tough scrappers and the Stones were a bunch of wimpy college boys

Kinda surprised me to hear that but kinda makes sense

Lemmy had a child with John Lennon’s first wife btw