Most of you probably have already heard this. But if you haven't, here it is... My comments are afterwards:
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POLICE: PHIL SPECTOR, VICTIM ONLY MET NIGHT BEFORE DEATH
Clarkson Was B-Movie Cult Figure
POSTED: 9:39 a.m. EST February 5, 2003
UPDATED: 10:27 a.m. EST February 5, 2003
More details emerged Tuesday in the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson, found dead in the mansion of music mogul Phil Spector early Monday.
Spector, 62, and Clarkson, 40, met at a Los Angeles nightclub the night before the murder, said Craig Harvey of the Los Angeles County coroner's office. No other details were available.
Spector is free on a $1 million bond after police arrested him for investigation of murder.
According to The Associated Press, Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Dan Rosenberg said deputies found the weapon used in the murder, but refused to reveal where in the house it was found.
Clarkson's body was found in the foyer of Spector's mansion just before dawn Monday, after police responded to reports of gunfire.
While Clarkson appeared in bit parts in such mainstream movies as "Amazon Women on the Moon," "Scarface" and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," she earned a cult-star status for her roles in B-movies.
Among them were five films noted low-budget movie producer Roger Corman, including "Barbarian Queen" -- which Corman considered a model for television's "Xena: Warrior Princess."
In a statement Tuesday, Corman said: "Lana was a beautiful woman, a wonderful actress, and an adventurous spirit. Always brave, she performed all of her own stunts, and showed unusual fortitude and athleticism in her horseback riding and fight sequences."
Nearly six feet tall, Clarkson said on her Website ( http://www.livingdollproductions.com ), that she was inspired by Marilyn Monroe and modeled herself after the late bombshell.
Clarkson frequently appeared at fan conventions because of her cult-movie status, and had guest roles on over 50 television shows including "Who's the Boss," "Night Court" and "Wings." She also appeared in television commercials.
Friends and associates of Clarkson told AP that she began working last month at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip as a ticket collector and hostess.
"She wasn't thrilled to have people from the industry see her doing that, but she thought it was a good step to get back into the mainstream," her neighbor, Paul Pietrewicz told AP. "It wasn't exactly what she wanted to do, but she thought she could meet the right person."
Spector's attorney -- former O.J. Simpson "Dream Team" member Robert Shapiro -- refused to comment to AP about the case. Spector's next court appearance is set for March 3.
Spector revolutionized music in the 1960s with his "Wall of Sound," a multilayered mix of orchestral instruments that accompanied his artist's recordings.
Several musical legends had worked with Spector, including Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Righteous Brothers, Ike and Tina Turner, and the Ronettes.
Spector married to the Ronettes' lead singer, Ronnie Bennett, 1968, and their tumultuous marriage ended in 1974.
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Condolences to Lana's family.
As a big fan of Phil Spector's music production work, I'm really saddened and bummed out over this mess. The article didn't mention about his one album that he made in 1980, "End Of The Century" with The Ramones.
About two years ago, the Internet Movie Databse (us.imdb.com) reported that Tom Cruise was going to play Spector in a movie based on his life, and to be directed by Cameron Crowe (of Say Anything, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous, and others). But it looks like it won't happen now.
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