Darlene Love Explains How Shes Forgiven Phil Spector: What He Stole From Me, Ive Made Back

Publish date: 2024-05-28

Five decades after singing girl group hits like “He’s a Rebel,” Darlene Love’s career is still as strong at age 73 as her thunderbolt voice.

In the new issue of ‘Closer,’ she opens up about how she’s found peace with mega-producer Phil Spector after he infamously used her voice on other performers’ tracks and how it ironically helped her achieve a decades-long career.

“It hurt for a while,” Darlene confesses to ‘Closer.’ “But I ended up not hating him. I have this belief that if you carry that hate, you get stopped in your tracks and you’re not going to go forward until you forgive that person, whether that person forgives you or not.”

Darlene eventually settled for unpaid royalties for having her voice used on other performers’ songs, but she tells ‘Closer’ that she’s not only made peace with Phil, but her career has flourished as result.

“Because of those records, I’ve had a 50-year career. What he stole from me, I’ve made back double,” Darlene says.

Darlene at the 6th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit in Oct. 2014. (Photo Credit: Getty)

And her career is stronger than ever. In addition to her regular touring schedule, the singer hit a high note with a featured role in 20 Feet From Stardom, 2013’s Oscar-winning documentary about backup singers.

“It was one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me,” shares Darlene who accepted the film’s award that night. “I didn’t ever dream of winning one.”

Soon after, Darlene was invited to duet on Bette Midler’s new album, ‘It’s the Girls!’ which came out Nov. 4. And that’s not all. Darlene will topline an all-star duets CD assembled by her musician pal Steven Van Zandt plus Oprah Winfrey is producing a TV movie based on Darlene’s 1998 autobiography, ‘My Name Is Love.’

“All these things that are happening now are happening at the best time of my life,” Darlene tells ‘Closer.’ “I’m going from one excitement to another and it’s wonderful! I believe everything happens for a reason.”

For more from Darlene’s exclusive interview, including who she will duet with on her new album and a memory of the time she got hit on by Elvis Presley, pick up the new issue of ‘Closer Weekly,’ on stands now!

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Darlene Love Explains How Shes Forgiven Phil Spector: What He Stole From Me, Ive Made Back