Cher has shared a shocking memory from the 1970s in her new memoir, revealing a dangerous confrontation with music producer Phil Spector, who famously pulled a gun on her. This incident occurred years before Spector’s infamous crime in 2003, when he shot and killed actress Lana Clarkson. Cher’s story sheds light on the dark side of Spector, a man with a troubled and violent past.
The Confrontation with Spector
The incident took place in 1974, when Spector illegally released a recording that Cher had made without her permission. Cher had been working with Spector on a project with John Lennon, and after learning that the song had been released in Europe, she decided to confront him.
Arriving at Spector’s Los Angeles home with a friend, Cher greeted him with a hug before immediately questioning why he had broken their agreement. Spector, who became agitated, responded by picking up a revolver from a pool table and twirling it on his fingers. Despite the danger, Cher didn’t back down, warning him that he couldn’t mess with her or her music.
“[He] couldn’t pull that sh** with me,” Cher said, recalling the incident in her memoir. She recalled that Spector apologized after the confrontation, and she quickly left the house, feeling that he had pulled the gun more for show than out of intent to harm.
Cher’s History with Spector
Cher’s relationship with Spector dates back to 1962 when she was only 16 years old. She met him through her then-boyfriend, Nino Tempo, who worked for Spector’s production company. The two had a complex and often uncomfortable relationship, beginning with a crude proposition from Spector in French, which Cher cleverly responded to with a witty comeback.
Though Cher often butted heads with Spector, she acknowledged that he gave her one of her first musical breaks. In 1963, after singer Darlene Love missed a recording session, Cher was asked to step in as a backup singer. This moment helped launch her career in music, and she would go on to become one of the most successful artists in history.
The Darker Side of Spector
While Cher’s story highlights her strength in standing up to Spector, his violent tendencies became more apparent in later years. In February 2003, Spector shot and killed Lana Clarkson, a model and actress, at his mansion. He was later convicted of second-degree murder in 2009. Cher’s story also mirrors other allegations against Spector, including accusations of abuse from his second wife, singer Ronnie Spector.
Ronnie Spector revealed in her memoir that Spector kept her locked in their mansion and subjected her to psychological abuse. She even described a terrifying moment when he told her he would kill her if she tried to leave. Ronnie Spector eventually escaped barefoot with the help of her mother.
Reflecting on Her Encounter with Spector
Cher admits that while her experience with Spector was unsettling, she always stood her ground with him. “I didn’t take sh** from him,” she recalled. Cher’s unique relationship with Spector, from their first meeting in 1962 to this dramatic confrontation in 1974, shaped her into the strong, confident artist she became.
Spector died in 2021, continuing to maintain his innocence in Clarkson’s death until the end of his life. Despite his legacy of musical genius, his violent behavior left a dark mark on the world. Cher’s story, shared in her memoir, serves as a reminder of the com
