Mary Weiss obit

Lead Singer of 1960s Girl Group The Shangri-Las Dies at 75

Mary Weiss was the lead vocalist of the girl group known for their hits 'Leader of the Pack' and 'Remember'

 

She was not on the list.

Mary Weiss, the lead vocalist of the Shangri-Las, has died at age 75.

Weiss’s death was confirmed to The Messenger by Miriam Linna, who runs the independent Norton Records label, which released Weiss’ final solo album, Dangerous Game, in 2007. “She was such a star to everyone in the rock ‘n’ roll business,” Linna said.

On Friday, the official Instagram account for Ronnie Spector, the late Ronettes songstress announced that Weiss had died and shared their condolences.

"We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Mary Weiss’ passing," the account shared. "She and Ronnie were kindred spirits; two fearless bad girls of the 60s. Join us as we spin the Shangri-Las in her honor."

A post shared by Ronnie Spector (@ronniespectorthebadgirl)

In the comments, fans of the '60s girl groups shared their well-wishes and love for Weiss, writing about their favorite Shangri-Las tracks and more.

"A deeply underrated artist. She didn’t just sing," one fan commented. "She performed."

"I am so devastated to hear the news of Mary's passing. May she rest in peace with our Ronnie," another fan wrote. "We love you Mary Weiss! ❤️❤️❤️ 'Heaven Only Knows.'"

The Shangri-Las, consisting of Weiss, her sister Betty Weiss, 77, and twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser, first rose to popularity around 1965 after performing together in local high school talent shows. After having their final reunion (without Mary Ann, who died in 1970 at the age of 22) in 1989, the group's song "Leader of the Pack" was honored by The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

The group's 1964 hit "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" was covered by Aerosmith in 1979 and the Go-Go's released a punk version on their 1994 compilation album, Return to the Valley of The Go-Go's.

Weiss, originally from Queens, New York, was the last surviving member of the group, who were known especially for their hit songs "Remember," "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" and their chart-topping track "Leader of the Pack."

Growing up in the borough of Queens in New York City, Weiss, her older sister Elizabeth (known as Betty), and her older brother George lived in Cambria Heights. She sang in school plays and choirs. Additionally, she listened to her brother and his friends perform popular songs of the day; George being an Elvis fan. Mary appreciated such performers as Neil Sedaka and The Everly Brothers; she attended her first Everly Brothers concert in 1963 at Freedomland U.S.A. at the age of 14.

After Weiss and her sister Betty became good friends with twins Mary Ann and Margie Ganser in grammar school, the four of them sang at local dances and hops. That brought them to the attention of local producer Artie Ripp, who later signed them on to Kama Sutra Productions. After recording demos and making it to the Brill Building in 1964 (and signing with Red Bird Records), they recorded songs: "Remember (Walking in the Sand)", which was their first hit, and "Leader of the Pack", which went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1964.

With their growing popularity, the Shangri-Las became a leading girl group in the 1960s. After several years together, the group split in 1968. Weiss went to San Francisco to try a different lifestyle. She later came back to New York and occasionally gave shows with the Shangri-Las during the 1970s which led to a comeback attempt with Sire Records in 1977. In 1989, the Shangri-Las reunited one last time for Cousin Brucie's Palisades Park Reunion show at The Meadowlands in New Jersey.