The Phil Spector Trial: We Watch Court TV So You Don't Have To (07/01)

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY? After a long July 4th hiatus, Phil Spector came back to court under the worst possible circumstances: The prosecution had a new witness. Former NYPD detective and current Joan Rivers bodyguard Vincent Tannazzo took the stand to testify concerning two separate encounters he says he had with Spector at Rivers' 1993 and 1994 Christmas parties.

At the first party, Spector, who was dating Rivers' manager, allegedly came packing a keyboard and a pistol. After his date angered him, Spector, according to Tannazzo, started cursing violently and then reached for his concealed gun. Tannazzo, who was also packing heat, told Spector he'd "blow his brains out" if he made another move toward the gun. The music producer quickly became apologetic, and during the ride home, allegedly told Tannazzo "all women deserve a bullet in the head." Tannazzo said Spector also showed him a North Carolina gun permit, insinuating he had gun permits throughout the U.S. in case he ever had to put a woman down. Tannazzo testified that a near exact incident occurred the following year at another Rivers Xmas party, but this time without the pistol.

IS THIS GOOD OR BAD FOR SPECTOR? Worse than bad, it was catastrophic. The July 4th break was supposed to provide a clean slate for the defense to state their case. Instead, they were greeted by another incendiary witness for the prosecution.

HAIR & WARDROBE UPDATE: Spector attempted to "normalize" his look, switching from the Clay Aiken 'do to a surfer-style layered wet look.

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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