Phil Spector Jail Complaint

The wife of legendary producer Phil Spector has protested against the treatment of the sonic genius, currently languishing in a California State Prison.

Phil Spector crafted a huge number of hits singles in the early 60s, dominating the pop landscape with his three minute chunks of sweet melody and vast orchestration. A lasting influence on the pop industry, the producer later retreated from the lime light.

Becoming ever more reclusive, Phil Spector accepted only a few high profile jobs during the 70s. Sessions on John Lennon's 'Rock And Roll' album has to be abandoned after Spector pulled a gun on the Beatles legend, while The Ramones also endured a tortured stint with the producer.

Bizarrely, Phil Spector's last production job seems to have been with Starsailor. The timid indie types worked with the producer shortly before his arrest on charges of murder, after the actress Lana Clarkson was found dead in his home.

After the first trial against him collapsed, Phil Spector was found guilty of second degree murder earlier this year. Sentenced to nineteen years in prison, the producer almost immediately began appeal proceedings.

However it seems as if Spector is already struggling with prison life. Reports recently claimed that the producer had been banned from wearing his trademark wigs, with Spector said to be uncomfortable with the restrictions place upon him.

In a new interview the producer's wife Rachelle Spector hit out at authorities, claiming he is being treated unjustly while in prison.

"He's locked in a five-by-nine [foot] cell, 23-and-a-half hours a day," she told the Los Angeles Times.

She added: "They treat people worse than animals. I want that known."

Rachelle Spector is apparently in regular contact with the producer, who has been allowed to phone her occasionally from the jail.

The producer's spouse is only 28 years old, over four decades younger than her husband. However Rachelle Spector denied being a trophy wife.

"Younger woman, older man, gold digger, whatever. I don't take anything from my husband, and I never have. I'm a good person, but people don't see any of that or know how hard I work."

Phil Spector's appeal proceedings are on going.