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July 31, 2009

Helter Spector - Charles Manson - Phil Spector Corcoran Collaboration

FOLLOW NICHOPOULOUZO http://www.twitter.com/mrjyn @mrjyn Phil Spector could be allowed to take part in 'jamming sessions' with other inmates while he serves his life sentence for murder. The 69-year-old music producer, who is classified as a medium security prisoner, has also been told he can keep personal items in his cell. Spector was moved to the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in California State Prison, after it was deemed he may be at risk of attack by other inmates. A prison spokesman said: 'The facility he is on now, there are a bunch of inmates that have instruments and they all play together on the exercise yard.' Spector, who worked with some of the music world's biggest names and was responsible for the 'Wall of Sound' production technique, may be allowed to join in. As a medium security prisoner he has a cell to himself and can make some requests for items he wants in his cell. His wife, Rachelle, said a list was already being compiled. He wants a TV and an iPod or something like that for listening to music - and he would like to be able to receive -mail, she said. Phil Spector mug shot Mug shot: Phil Spector, pictured for the first time without a wig after arriving in jail last month, will now be housed with under-threat gangsters and sex offenders Rachelle Spector said she was relieved her husband was out of North Kern State Prison, where he has been undergoing evaluation. He had been forced to ditch his trade-mark wigs and posed for a less than flattering prison mug-shot which showed him to he bald. Rachelle said Spector said he was forced to sleep naked on the floor for two nights and to eat out of a bowl with his hands like a dog. Enlarge Phil Spector's many looks A man of many wigs: Spector's different looks over the years Prison authorities denied the claims. The state prison in Corcoran, which houses 6,900 inmates, has played host to other entertainment figures in the past. US music producer, Phil Spector, who was sentenced to 19 years in jail this year for murder, has been contacted in prison by mass-murderer Charles Manson. Spector, who is currently residing in a medical facility at the Corcoran State Prison, California, was believed to be shaken by the request from the notorious Manson for a musical collaboration. Manson is also in Corcoran State Prison as a maximum security prisoner. Spectors publicist has told BBC Radio that the cult leader, who once collaborated on a song with The Beach Boys, contacted the producer through a note given to a prison guard. Phil Spector is "alarmed and scared" that Charles Manson wants to work with him. The 68-year-old music producer - who was jailed for 15 years to life in May for the killing of actress Lana Clarkson - was horrified to receive a note from the murderer via a guard at California's Corcoran State Prison, where they are both serving their sentences. Spector's publicist Hal Lifson said: "Phil Spector has been very, very alarmed and scared at the notion of Charles Manson contacting him for any reason. "He is very worried that any association be made between himself and Charles Manson. "Phil mentioned that he used to get phone calls from John Lennon and Tina Turner and now it's Charles Manson calling, so he said, 'Go figure.' It was kind of a dark humour comment." The spokesperson admitted the Wall of Sound pioneer is struggling to adapt to life in prison. He added to BBC 6 Music News: "He's doing fair, at best, if not worse than fair. He's not doing great. "He's in a horrible situation with virtually nothing to do all day. Phil Spector was always a highly productive, creative person and now he's in a 5ft by 9ft cell with no windows and maybe a half hour outside to walk around. "It's essentially solitary confinement. He doesn't have computer access, he only recently got a little TV. "It's a terrible existence for a millionaire record producer who lived in mansions and most recently in a castle, a 35 room home. It's a huge, huge change of life for Phil Spector and a devastating turn in his life." Earlier this week, Spector's wife Rachelle revealed he had received the note from former cult leader Manson. She said: "A guard brought Philip a note from Manson, who said he wanted him to come over. He said he considers Philip the greatest producer who ever lived. It was creepy. Philip didn't respond." In the 1960s, Manson befriended the Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson and the group released a reworked version of his track Cease To Exist as Never Learn Not To Love in 1968. He has made several records while in prison. According to the publicist Spector has no intention of responding to the message and is frightened by the notion that he might be associated with Charles Manson. Spector, known as the "Wall of Sound" producer has worked with many big stars. Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr served time.