Mary Weiss, Lead Singer of the Shangri-Las, Passes Away 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. Known for their hits such as “Leader of the Pack,” the Shangri-Las made a significant impact on the music scene during their time.
Singer Mary Weiss is photographed in Babylon, N.Y., on June 18, 2007.
Mary Weiss passed away on Friday in Palm Springs, California, as confirmed by Miriam Linna, founder of Weiss’ label, Norton Records. The exact cause of her death has not been disclosed at this time.
An Iconic Girl Group
The Shangri-Las, hailing from Queens, New York City, were formed by two pairs of sisters. Mary Weiss and her sister Elizabeth “Betty” Weiss, along with twins Marguerite “Marge” Ganser and Mary Ann Ganser, came together and quickly gained popularity in the mid-1960s.
Under the guidance of producer Artie Ripp, the Shangri-Las became known for their tough, working-class image and emotionally charged songs that resonated with teenage audiences. With their first major hit, “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” reaching the top 5 on the Billboard charts in 1964, the group solidified their place in music history.
One of their most beloved songs, “Leader of the Pack,” co-written by George “Shadow” Morton, topped the Billboard charts in 1965. With powerful lyrics sung by Mary Weiss, the song captured the hearts of listeners:
“My.
