Phil Spector has died at the age of 81.

Spector was a music producer that was known for creating The Wall Of Sound, which was used by 60s bands like The Ronettes and The Crystals.

In 2009 he was sent to prison for the 2003 murder of Lana Clarkson and was sentenced to 19 years.

Spector began his career while he was still in school, producing hit song To Know Him is To Love Him by the Teddy Bears.

In the 1960s he produced major hits including The Righteous Brothers' You Lost that Lovin' Feeling and Unchained Melody, The Ronettes' Be My Baby and The Crystals' He's a Rebel.

He also produced The Beatles' final album Let It Be and produced John Lennon's solo work, including Instant Karma and Imagine.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Spector died of natural causes in hospital.

A statement said: “California Health Care Facility inmate Phillip Spector was pronounced deceased of natural causes at 6.35pm on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at an outside hospital. His official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner in the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

“Spector was admitted from Los Angeles County on June 5, 2009, for second-degree murder. He had been sentenced to 19 years to life for the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.

“Before his incarceration, Spector was an influential record producer, musician and songwriter best known for developing a music production technique called the ‘wall of sound’.”