BBC Arena's Spector coup

Star's first interview in 35 years

27 Jun 07 - The BBC has been granted unprecedented access to legendary music producer Phil Spector as he stands trial for murder.

The reclusive star has not given a TV interview for 35 years - but he has agreed to speak to the BBC for a no-holds-barred Arena documentary.

The programme-makers are following him throughout the trial, which reached day 28 yesterday with the opening of his defence case.

Spector faces a life sentence if convicted of shooting dead B-movie actress Lana Clarkson at his Los Angeles mansion in 2003.

She died from a single gunshot wound and Spector's defence claim she committed
suicide.

The trial is scheduled to end later this summer and the 90-minute documentary, subtitled The Agony And The Ecstasy of Phil Spector, will air in the autumn.

Director Vikram Jayanti said: "Our interviews have covered an awful lot of ground, including the trial.

"The position the defence has taken is that she killed herself. I'm sort of trying to stay out of issues of guilt or innocence.

"I'm more interested in this strange collision between an artistic genius and the criminal justice system."


Jayanti admitted: "I wouldn't be doing this film if it wasn't for the trial. When do you get access to somebody who has had that much of an impact on our culture? To have access to such a towering figure at a moment like this? I just feel lucky."


Mr Spector, 67, has pleaded not guilty. His defence say Ms Clarkson put a gun in her mouth and shot herself. Both sides say forensic evidence and the autopsy support their accounts.

Among those reported to be preparing to act as character witnesses for Phil Spector is John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono.



Jody Thompson