Ronnie Spector, the trail-blazing lead singer of the 1960s all-girl group the Ronettes, has died. The rock and roll star rose to fame with hits such as Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking in the Rain. A statement from her family said she passed at age 78 "after a brief battle with cancer". "Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humour and a smile on her face," the statement said.