Mary Weiss, the lead singer of the iconic 1960s pop group the Shangri-Las, has sadly passed away at the age of 75. Known for their hits like “Leader of the Pack,” the Shangri-Las captured the hearts of many with their unique sound and emotional songs.
Miriam Linna, founder of Weiss’ label, Norton Records, announced the news of her passing on Sunday. Weiss died in Palm Springs, California, though the cause of her death has not been disclosed. Rolling Stone was the first to report her untimely death.
Formed in the borough of Queens in New York City, the Shangri-Las consisted of two pairs of sisters: Mary Weiss and her sister Elizabeth “Betty” Weiss, as well as twins Marguerite “Marge” Ganser and Mary Ann Ganser. They first met in school and began performing at school dances and teen hops as teenagers.
After being signed to Kama Sutra Productions by producer Artie Ripp, the Shangri-Las found great success as a girl group. Their tough, working-class image and dramatic songs about teen dreams and heartbreak resonated with audiences in the mid-1960s. In fact, their name was inspired by a restaurant in Queens.
Their first hit, “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” reached the top 5 on the Billboard charts in 1964. Weiss was just 15 years old when the song made its mark. It was written by George “Shadow” Morton, a prominent pop songwriter and producer from the famous Brill Building.
Morton played a crucial role in shaping the sound of the Shangri-Las, blending Ronettes-style R&B with intense teenage emotions. One of their most popular songs, “Leader of the Pack,” co-written by Morton, became the top Billboard single of 1965. The powerful lyrics sung by Weiss resonated with listeners:
“My.
