Mary Weiss, Lead Singer of 1960s Pop Group the Shangri-Las, Dies at 75
Mary Weiss, the talented lead singer of the iconic 1960s pop group the Shangri-Las, has sadly passed away at the age of 75. Miriam Linna, founder of Weiss’ label Norton Records, confirmed the news on Sunday, revealing that Weiss died in Palm Springs, California on Friday. The cause of her death has not been disclosed. Rolling Stone magazine first reported her passing on Friday, leaving fans across the world mourning the loss of a true musical legend.
The Shangri-Las, born and raised in the borough of Queens in New York City, 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 came together as teenagers, performing at school dances and teen hops. Their extraordinary talent and unique style caught the attention of producer Artie Ripp, who signed them to Kama Sutra Productions.
The Shangri-Las quickly became a sensation in the mid-1960s with their tough, working-class image and emotionally charged songs that resonated with teenagers of that era. Their debut hit, “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” released in 1964 by Red Bird Records, reached the top 5 on the Billboard charts. Remarkably, Weiss was just 15 years old at the time. The song, which would later be covered by Aerosmith, was written by the legendary pop songwriter-producer George “Shadow” Morton.
Under Morton’s guidance, the Shangri-Las crafted a distinctive sound that blended Ronettes-style R&B with powerful teenage emotions. Their biggest hit, “Leader of the Pack,” co-written by Morton, became the top Billboard single of 1965. In this iconic song, Weiss sang about forbidden love:
“My.
