Mary Weiss, the lead singer of the Shangri-Las, one of the most iconic girl groups of the early 1960s, has sadly passed away at the age of 75. Miriam Linna of Norton Records confirmed her death to Variety. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Mary Weiss was not only an icon but a hero and heroine to many, spanning generations. Her voice and presence captivated both young men and women during her time and continued to do so long after. Alongside the Ronettes, the Shangri-Las represented the epitome of the girl group era. Mary was the focal point of their sound and look, with her youthful, yearning voice and long blonde hair that made her the object of countless crushes at the time.
The Shangri-Las, with their killer pop songs written by George “Shadow” Morton, Ellie Greenwich, and Jeff Barry, and produced by Morton, had a brief but incredibly impactful heyday from 1964 to ’65. They revolutionized the teen-death epic with their hit song “Leader of the Pack,” which not only spawned numerous imitations but also earned them a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their songs, often depicting star-crossed relationships with bad boys, contained a nuanced yet torrid sexuality. In the call-and-answer segment of “Great Big Kiss,” Mary’s bandmates would inquire about her squeeze, to which she would reply, “I have to look up” when asked if he was tall.
While the British Invasion and the rise of ’60s rock music crushed the entire girl group sound, the influence of the Shangri-Las remained strong. Soon after their prime, the New York Dolls, who were arguably the greatest influence on punk rock, started covering “Great Big Kiss” and singing the praises of the Shangri-Las. A few years later, Blondie, fronted by Deborah Harry, who drew much of her look and sound from girl groups, released their first album, featuring Ellie Greenwich on backing vocals.
Mary Weiss was born and raised in the Queens borough of New York City. She attended the same high school as her future bandmates, twins Margie Ganser and Mary-Ann Ganser, as well as her sister Betty Weiss. In 1963, the four girls began performing at local nightclubs and caught the attention of producer Artie Ripp, who secured them a record deal with Kama Sutra. Their first recording, “Simon Says,” was released in December 1963. However, it was when “Shadow” Morton chose them to perform and record his song “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” that their career skyrocketed. The song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1964 and became their breakthrough hit.
The Shangri-Las’ success continued with their chart-topping hit, “Leader of the Pack,” in the same year. They performed with legendary bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and made appearances on popular TV shows of the time, such as “Hullabaloo” and “Shindig!” Their tough yet vulnerable image resonated with audiences. Mary’s angelic face and sweet long hair, combined with her nasal voice and attitude, created a unique blend that captivated fans.
Despite their success, the Shangri-Las faced lineup instability, with all members except Mary leaving the group at some point. They released several more singles before ultimately splitting in 1968. While they declined several reunion offers, they regrouped in 1976 under the guidance of Sire Records, helmed by Seymour Stein, who had worked for Red Bird during the group’s peak. Over the years, they occasionally reunited, and in 2007, Norton Records released Mary Weiss’ solo album, “Dangerous Game,” which she toured to support.
Mary Weiss lived a reclusive life and often spoke about the challenges faced by teenage girls in the music industry of the 1960s, which was brutally sexist. Her experiences, along with those of other women from the era, are detailed in the oral history book “But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” published in 2023.
Mary Weiss leaves behind a lasting legacy as a pioneer of the girl group sound and a true icon of her time. Her powerful voice, captivating presence, and unforgettable songs will continue to inspire and resonate with audiences for generations to come..
