Ronnie Spector: Tributes pour in for Ronettes’ lead singer

“Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer,” the statement read. “She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan. Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was filled with love and gratitude.”

>> Ronnie Spector, lead singer of the Ronettes, dead at 78

Singer Joan Jett, writing on Twitter, called Spector “the sweetest person you could ever know.”

“And her mark on rock ‘n’ roll is indelible,” Jett tweeted.

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys said he did not know what to say.

“I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend,” Wilson tweeted. “This just breaks my heart. Ronnie’s music and spirit will live forever.”

“So sad to hear about Ronnie,” Wilson’s bandmate, Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine, tweeted.

“Peace and love, Ronnie Spector,” Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs tweeted.

“It was an honor to produce her and encourage her to get back on stage where she remained for the next 45 years,”Steve Van Zandt tweeted. “Her record with the E Street Band helped sustain us at a very precarious time (thanks to Steve Popovich). Condolences to her husband and family.”