Nedra Talley Ross, the foundational harmonist and founding member of the legendary 1960s girl group The Ronettes, died on April 26, 2026, at the age of 80. As the last surviving original member of the trio, her passing closes the final chapter on one of the most influential sounds in the history of rock and roll.

Born Nedra Yvonne Talley in Manhattan, she grew up in the vibrant neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Spanish Harlem. She carried a rich, diverse heritage of African American, Cherokee, Puerto Rican, and Irish descent, according to The Mirror. In 1959, she joined forces with her cousins, sisters Ronnie and Estelle Bennett, to form a vocal group initially called The Darling Sisters. That same year, the trio captured first place at the famous amateur night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, a victory that helped launch their professional career. They soon became regular performers and dancers at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City, which served as the epicenter of the Twist dance craze.

The group signed with Philles Records in 1963 and officially became The Ronettes. There, they developed their signature Wall of Sound style. Talley provided the essential harmonies for the 1963 hit 'Be My Baby,' a track that reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains celebrated as one of the greatest pop songs of all time. The Ronettes cultivated a bold public persona defined by towering beehive hair and provocative eyeliner. As Talley once noted, they were not afraid to be different, possessing a look and sound that audiences had never seen before. This magnetic presence took them across the globe. In 1964, she toured the United Kingdom with the group as the opening act for the Rolling Stones. Two years later, The Ronettes made history as the only girl group to tour with the Beatles, serving as the opening act for their final United States tour in 1966.

Despite the chaos of touring with the biggest rock bands in the world, Talley harbored a deep private conviction that eventually led her away from the spotlight. On June 17, 1967, she married radio DJ and producer Scott Ross. That same year, at the height of her fame, she retired from The Ronettes to focus on her family and her conversion to born-again Christianity. She traded the life of a rock and roll star for a quieter existence, finding profound peace outside the music industry. She and her husband shared a remarkable 56 years of marriage until his death in 2023, as noted by Hello! Magazine.

Her musical journey did not end entirely with her departure from the group. In 1978, she released a solo contemporary Christian album titled 'Full Circle,' which her husband produced. Following her music career, she established a successful second act as a businesswoman in the real estate industry in Virginia Beach. The music world continued to recognize her foundational contributions. The Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. On March 12, 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, an event covered by CBS News. She died peacefully at her Virginia Beach home. Her daughter, Nedra K. Ross, shared that she was safe in her own bed with her family close, knowing she was loved.

Nedra Talley Ross embodied a fascinating duality, reigning as a defining voice of a rebellious musical era before choosing a life anchored by faith, family, and community. She was the stabilizing force of a trio that reshaped the cultural landscape, providing the essential harmony both on stage and in the quiet decades that followed. Outliving her bandmates, she stood as the final guardian of a towering legacy. Her voice and spirit helped build a sound that changed music forever, leaving behind an enduring influence that will resonate for generations.