Nedra Talley Ross has sadly died at the age of 80. Nedra was the last surviving member of The Ronettes. The iconic girl group's official Facebook page made the announcement upon confirmation of the news.
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"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nedra Talley Ross' passing. She was a light to those who knew and loved her,"
the statement began. "As a founding member of The Ronettes, along with her beloved cousins Ronnie and Estelle, Nedra's voice, style and spirit helped define a sound that would change music. Her contribution to the group's story and their defining influence will live forever."The statement then wrapped up by thanking Nedra for sharing her gift with the world.
"Rest peacefully dear Nedra," the statement concluded. "Thanks for the magic."
Currently, there is no known cause of death for Nedra.
Nedra's daughter has since released a statement regarding the loss of her mother.
"At approximately 8:30 this morning our mother Nedra Talley Ross went home to be with the Lord," Nedra's daughter
wrote on Facebook. "She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved...There will be a Celebration of Life in the future and I will post information when plans have been confirmed."The Ronettes Still Draw Millions of Listeners to This Day
As is the case with many iconic groups, The Ronettes still draw millions of streaming hits every day. According to Spotify, which is the only streaming platform to make artists' numbers public, the group averages roughly 11.7 million streams per month.
"Be My Baby" leads the way for The Ronettes, with over 900 million streams all time. "Sleigh Ride" ranks second, drawing over 812 million listeners since Spotify began tracking numbers.
"Frosty The Snowman" rounds out the group's top three songs on the platform, garnering over 137 million streams.
It's also worth remembering that these numbers are from just one platform. The group's longevity and immense success are undoubtedly shown in much higher figures once you factor in Apple Music, Amazon Music and even YouTube.
Sadly, there are no surviving members of The Ronettes left with us. However, their talent, voices and passion will live on through their music.
