What's the Verdict on Phil Spector's Hair? - Phil Spector : People.comWhat's the Verdict on Phil Spector's Hair?
Originally posted Tuesday March 20, 2007 01:00 PM EDT
Spector in 2005 (left) and on March 19
When Phil Spector appeared at a Los Angeles courthouse Monday for the start of jury selection in his upcoming murder trial, he sported a dramatically different look.
The legendary producer, who has become nearly as famous for his wild, curly hair as for his signature "Wall of Sound" music style, had traded his unruly locks for a smooth blond bowl cut.
Why the makeover? Some experts offered their opinion.
"He's projecting a younger, toned-down look," beauty expert Scott Vincent Borba, who has worked with Eva Longoria and Kristen Bell, tells PEOPLE. "He's always extreme, but he's trying to be more approachable to the jury, judge and media. Honeycomb highlights project warmth."
But the image overhaul could backfire, Borba says: "Such a dramatic change can send the wrong message. He's a chameleon, which makes you wonder who he really is."
Spector's friend and former companion, entertainment journalist Anita Talbert, has a similar take. "Phil wants to look kinder and softer and gentler," she tells PEOPLE, "but someone is giving him some bad advice. Maybe this idea was that if you look like the devil or you look like Dracula, change your hair color."
Loyola Law School Professor Laurie Levinson says Spector's unusual hairdos underscore his eccentric nature. "I just think he lives in his own world," she tells PEOPLE. "This is his image. He likes to make a statement. It gives him and identity and he likes attention."
But, she says, it could backfire with a jury. "When the jury first sees him, that are going to think, 'Who is this guy? He is not like the rest of us.' But whether it helps him or hurts him is another question."
Prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office would not comment on the case or Spector's new hairstyle. Members of his defense team also declined to comment on the new look.
July 31, 2009
What's the Verdict on Phil Spector's Hair? - Phil Spector : People.com
GUESS WHAT I FOUND? A VIDEO REPORT - COMING NOW: Phil Spector allowed to have jamming sessions with inmates | Mail Online
Murderer Phil Spector left terrified after receiving 'creepy' prison note from notorious killer Charles Manson
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:10 PM on 26th July 2009
Phil Spector used to take calls from Tina Turner and John Lennon, but now the only person who wants to work with him is mass murderer Charles Manson.
Manson is anxious to make music with the 69-year-old producer, who is serving life in prison for the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson.
Spector’s wife Rachelle told a U.S. newspaper: ‘A guard brought Philip a note from Manson.
‘He said he considers Philip the greatest producer who ever lived. It was creepy. Philip didn’t respond.’
Musical killers: Both Spector and Manson had music careers before being convicted of murder
Manson, 74, is being held at Corcoran State Prison in Los Angeles, where he is serving a life sentence for conspiring to murder seven people, including movie star Sharon Tate, in 1969.
‘I think Manson wants to glean some musical advice from Phil, who was a Sixties music god with his “Wall of Sound”,’ publicist Hal Lifson said.
‘But Phil’s like, “I used to pick up the phone and it was John Lennon or Celine Dion or Tina Turner and now Charles Manson is trying to get a hold of me!’’.’
Manson is being held in a separate wing to the producer of hits Be My Baby and Unchained Melody.
The cult leader was initially sentenced to death in 1969 for the deaths of movie star Sharon Tate, coffee heiress Abigail Folger and three others stabbed and shot to death at Tate's LA home.
Phil Spector allowed to have jamming sessions with inmates
Cell of sound: Phil Spector
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.
He was convicted in April of the 2003 killing of actress Lana Clarkson.
He was convicted of second-degree murder in April after the first trial ended with a mistrial.
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 e-mail,’ she said.
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.’
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.
Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr served time there in 1999 for violating his probation in a drug conviction and ended up counselling other inmates before he was released.
California Corrections Department Denies Manson-Spector Link
Phil Spector 'alarmed' By Manson NoteCalifornia Corrections Department Denies Manson-Spector LinkA California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson told NewsBlaze the alleged contact between Charles Manson and Phil Spector is false.
Terry Thornton, the spokesperson, says Manson is housed in protective housing in the main prison at the California State Prison, Corcoran, also known as "CSP-COR."
Spector is located in another prison, almost four miles away, at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran, also called "SATF-CSP, Corcoran."
Each facility has its own warden, and separate staff.
An investigation by the department revealed no evidence of a contact between the two men and no evidence that any guards passed a note from Manson to Spector.
See the original report: Phil Spector `alarmed` By Manson Note
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)