Mary Weiss, the acclaimed lead vocalist of the 1960s pop ensemble The Shangri-Las, known for chart-topping songs like “Leader of the Pack,” passed away on January 19, 2024, in Palm Springs, California. She was 75. Norton Records founder Miriam Linna, the label Weiss was affiliated with, confirmed the news. The cause of death was reported to be chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Weiss, born in Queens, New York, gained prominence as the frontwoman of The Shangri-Las, a group she created with her sibling Betty Weiss and twins Marge Ganser and Mary Ann Ganser. The group, recognized for their dramatic renditions and songs addressing teenage distress and love, started performing at school functions and youth events in Queens.
They achieved their breakthrough after signing a contract with Kama Sutra Productions and collaborating with producer Artie Ripp. Their first significant hit on the Billboard chart, “Remember Walking in the Sand,” made it to the top 5 in 1964, when Weiss was only 15 years old. The song, later covered by Aerosmith, was penned by celebrated pop songwriter-producer George “Shadow” Morton.
Morton played an instrumental role in defining The Shangri-Las’ sound, combining elements of R&B with deeply emotional teenage narratives. Co-writing their 1965 hit “Leader of the Pack,” he aided in making it the top Billboard single of the year. The group’s success, however, was fleeting. They split in 1968 due to legal disputes and contract complications, signaling the end of a significant phase in girl group music.
Speaking at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, Weiss discussed the group’s legacy and the wider music industry, highlighting the gender bias in acknowledging artistic contributions. She noted the tendency to view men as artists while women were often perceived more as commodities.
Post the group’s disbanding, Weiss distanced herself from the public eye. She relocated to San Francisco, California, and found a career outside the music industry, working for an architectural firm for many years. After a 40-year hiatus, Weiss made a return to music, releasing her solo debut album “Dangerous Game” in 2007. In this album, she revisited the essence of The Shangri-Las, but with a more mature outlook. Speaking with New York magazine, she shared her aspiration to continue her music career, free from the exploitation she encountered in her earlier years.
The Shangri-Las’ journey, with Mary Weiss at the helm, left a profound imprint on the music industry, inspiring future punk and garage rock bands. Their distinctive style and teenage tragedy themes set them apart from other girl groups of their era. Weiss’ unique voice and commanding stage presence made her a prominent figure in the 1960s pop music scene.
Despite the legal hurdles and personal losses — including the deaths of Mary Ann Ganser from a drug overdose in 1970 and Marge Ganser from breast cancer in 1996 — The Shangri-Las’ legacy still stands. They are remembered not just for their hit songs, but also for their influential image and the emotional intensity of their music.
Weiss’ passing symbolizes the end of an era as she was the last original member of The Shangri-Las. Her significant contributions to music, her unique voice, and her role in pioneering the format of all-female groups in pop music will continue to be appreciated by fans and music historians.
