By day Phil Spector, the record producer, attends his trial for the murder by gunshot of an actress. But when the court is adjourned he joins a BBC crew at his mansion to give one of the most extraordinary interviews in television history.

The reclusive star, famed for creating the “Wall of Sound”, had declined requests for television interviews for 35 years. But he has agreed to speak to the BBC for a candid Arena documentary. Spector, 67, is accused 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 is that she committed suicide.

Vikram Jayanti, co-producer of the Oscar-winning Muhammad Ali documentary When We Were Kings, wrote to Spector after his arrest, optimistically seeking an interview. He was invited to bring his team for an extensive series of chats at Spector’s residence. During 60 hours of interview footage conducted so far, Spector, who faces a life sentence, talks of his fears that his musical legacy will be forever overshadowed by the murder case.

He also reflects on working with John Lennon, his rivalry with Brian Wilson, the troubled Beach Boy, and demonstrates at his piano the musical influences that gave rise to the “Wall of Sound”.

During the prosecution case, a string of women gave vivid accounts of being threatened at gunpoint by Spector. Forensics experts suggested that he had shot Clarkson, then attempted a cover-up. Blood had been wiped from the gun allegedly used, the court heard.

But Jayanti said: “I found him civilised and courteous. He is [as] nervous as a man can be because his whole musical contribution could be eclipsed.”

The BBC Two film The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector, will be shown in the autumn. Its final form will depend on the outcome of the trial, which is scheduled to end this summer. 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 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.”

The director continued: “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?”

Spector was behind such hits as Be My Baby by the Ronettes and You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Fee-lin’ by the Righteous Brothers. He produced the Beatles album Let It Be and worked on John Lennon’s solo records.

He did what?

— Used three pianos, five guitars, two bass players, plus drums and percussion to build his “Wall of Sound”

— Pulled a gun on John Lennon and Leonard Cohen

— Once said: “I would say I’m probably relatively insane, to an extent”

— Showed ex-wife Ronnie Spector a gold coffin with a glass top in his basement, promising to kill and display her if she left him

Source: Times database

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