Mary Weiss, the acclaimed lead singer of the 1960s pop girl group The Shangri-Las, passed away on Friday at the age of 75. Her husband, Ed Ryan, confirmed her death to NPR, providing no additional details.
Weiss achieved fame as a teenager with The Shangri-Las, contributing her powerful vocals to hits such as “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” and “Leader of the Pack.” The group, comprising two sets of sisters – Mary and Betty Weiss, and twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser – cultivated a tough-girl image that set them apart in the realm of girl groups.
Recording the group’s first hit, “Remember,” at the age of 15 in 1964, Weiss brought a distinctive presence to the music scene. In a 2007 interview with Fresh Air host Terry Gross, she revealed her preference for tailored men’s slacks over women’s high-rise pants and chiffon dresses, emphasizing that she “never thought much about image” in the early days.
Weiss recounted the group’s modest beginnings in street clothes, eventually evolving to design their own clothes when success brought financial stability. However, by 1968, The Shangri-Las disbanded amid legal challenges, which Weiss refrained from discussing due to legal constraints.
Turning away from the music industry, Weiss pursued a career in the accounting department of an architectural firm, rising to the position of chief purchasing agent. In 2007, she made a musical comeback with her solo album “Dangerous Game.”
Embracing the changing times, Weiss utilized social media by creating her own page on MySpace, where she found a renewed audience for her music. She also ventured into the indie-music scene, performing at the South by Southwest festival in Austin. In an interview with New York Magazine, Weiss expressed her desire to have fun in her musical endeavors, emphasizing the benefits of being a grown-up.
Miriam Linna, who runs Norton Records, Weiss’ record label, paid tribute to the iconic singer on Facebook, saying, “Remembering Mary Weiss with much love and affection. Mary was the ultimate.”
Mary Weiss leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazer in the music industry, remembered not only for her contributions to The Shangri-Las but also for her resilience and reinvention later in life. The music world mourns the loss of an influential figure who made an indelible mark on the soundscape of the ’60s.
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