Theme Bronx born musician produced 20 Top 40 hits between 1961 and 1965 and went on to work with the Beatles on Let It Be.

He's credited with influencing legendary musicians, including Bruce Springsteen and the Beach Boys, with his signature production technique called The Wall of Sound, which layered pop and even classical instruments into a full, lush sound that was new to pop records at the time.

But Spector had a troubled life and suffered bouts of severe depression.

He also had a long standing reputation for gunplay.

In 2003, 40 year old actress Lana Clarkson was killed by a shot to the mouth fired from Spector's gun in his castle like mansion outside Los Angeles.

Specter was ultimately convicted of second degree murder in a second trial after the first trial deadlocked in 2007.

His death was confirmed on Sunday in a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, saying Specter died of natural causes at an outside hospital and that his official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner.

The Daily Mail reported that he was diagnosed with Cove in 19 4 weeks ago and transferred to a hospital from his prison cell, where he had been serving a 19 years toe life sentence for the murder of Clarkson.