R.I.P.: Mary Weiss, Leader Singer of The Shangri-Las Girl Group

Mary Weiss, the lead singer and focal point of the Shangri-Las — one of the truly legendary girl groups of the early 1960s, with hits like “Leader of the Pack,” “Great Big Kiss,” “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” and “Heaven Only Knows” — has died at age 75. She and four New York City Catholic schoolgirl friends that included her older sister Betty and a couple of classmates, twins Mary Ann and Margie Ganser, recorded hits back in the mid-60s.

1948-2024

Mary was only 15 when the newly-formed group was discovered by Red Bird Records producer/songwriter George "Shadow" Morton in 1964. Although the Shangri-Las began the year being photographed in chiffon dresses and high heels, Morton soon cultivated a biker-chick/bad girl image for them, with the group usually appearing live clad in tight pants and black leather vests. 

Their songs featured melodramatic music and lyrics dealing with such themes as love lost, death, and general teenage angst, and often included sound effects, such as seagulls along the beach in 1964's "Remember (Walking in the Sand)", their first hit, and roaring motorcycles, as can be heard in their signature song from that same year, the biker epic "Leader of the Pack." Incidentally, both tracks featured a young session pianist by the name of Billy Joel.

The small Red Bird label eventually folded in late 1966 due to financial problems and the group signed with Mercury Records, but changing musical tastes and litigation over bad contracts led to the group's demise in 1968. Mary went on to work as a secretary for an architectural firm in midtown Manhattan and eventually became a successful commercial interior designer and furniture installer in New York City. She has maintained a very low profile, appearing only twice for group reunions in 1977 and 1989.

After nearly 40 years out of the musical spotlight, Mary has contemplated retiring completely from her current career and made a step in that direction with the 2007 release of her first solo CD, "Dangerous Game", which she has supported with limited touring and an appearance on Conan O'Brien's late night show.