Ronnie Spector has paid tribute to "brilliant producer" Phil Spector - but also remembered him as a "lousy husband"

And despite the producer - who was serving a 19-year sentence in prison for the murder of Lana Clarkson when he passed away - being abusive during their six-year marriage, the 77-year-old singer admitted she was also upset about his death.

Ronnie - who was married to Phil from 1968 until 1974 - wrote on Facebook: "It's a sad day for music and a sad day for me.

"When I was working with Phil Spector, watching him create in the recording studio, I knew I was working with the very best. He was in complete control, directing everyone. So much to love about those days.

"Meeting him and falling in love was like a fairytale. The magical music we were able to make together, was inspired by our love. I loved him madly, and gave my heart and soul to him.

"As I said many times while he was alive, he was a brilliant producer, but a lousy husband. Unfortunately Phil was not able to live and function outside of the recording studio. Darkness set in, many lives were damaged."

The 'Baby I Love You' hitmaker will always look back fondly on the music she and Phil worked on together.

She said: "I still smile whenever I hear the music we made together, and always will. The music will be forever."

Ronnie previously admitted she thought she would "die" inside the California mansion where Phil kept her isolated away from her loved ones and subjected her to years of psychological abuse.

She said in 2018: "I thought, I wasn't going to sing again and that I was going to die there."

The disgraced producer - who was best known for his Wall of Sound production technique - is believed to have died from coronavirus complications, four weeks after he was diagnosed with the virus.