Mary Weiss, the leader of the 1960s New York band Shangri-Las, has passed away at the age of 75, according to confirmation from Miriam Linna of the Norton Records label. Linna, who released Weiss's only solo album, Dangerous Game, in 2007, described Mary as an icon and a hero to generations.
The news of Weiss's death prompted a tribute from Ronnie Spector's Instagram account, co-founder of the Ronettes, who passed away in January 2022. The caption alongside a black-and-white photo of Weiss expressed deep sadness and referred to Mary and Ronnie as kindred spirits, fearless bad girls of the '60s. Pop singer Sky Ferreira also shared a post, calling Mary Weiss a forever inspiration.
Mary Weiss, along with her sister Elizabeth "Betty" Weiss and twins Marguerite "Marge" Ganser and Mary Ann Ganser, formed the Shangri-Las. They gained attention in 1964 when they recorded their first demo, "Remember (Walking in the Sand)," after meeting producer George "Shadow" Morton.
The Shangri-Las rose to fame in the early '60s, known for their songs depicting teen tragedies like "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" and the 1964 hit "Leader of the Pack." The latter secured the Number One spot that year and earned a place in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at number 316 in 2021.
In a 2007 interview with Rolling Stone, Mary Weiss reflected on her past, including the time James Brown booked her for a Texas show. Recalling the moment, she mentioned how Brown was surprised to find out she was white. The Shangri-Las faced legal issues and disbanded in 1968, shifting from a focus on music to litigation.
Weiss, hindered by unfavorable contracts, couldn't record for a decade. Despite the challenges, she made a comeback in 2007 after a chance encounter with Billy Miller, head of the Norton label. Weiss, initially uncertain about returning to the studio, expressed that being back felt like coming home. After the group's dissolution, she had moved to San Francisco but later returned to New York, finding work at an architecture firm specializing in commercial interiors.
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