Shangri-las – Leader of The Pack

Did You Know?
The Shangri-Las’ ‘tough girls’ persona set them apart from other girl groups. Having grown up in a rough neighborhood of Queens, they were less demure than their contemporaries. Rumors about supposed escapades have since become legend, for example the story that Mary Weiss attracted the attention of the FBI for transporting a firearm across state lines. In her defence, she said someone tried to break into her hotel room one night, and for protection she bought a pistol.
Whatever truth these stories may have, they were believed by fans in the ’60s, and they helped cement the group’s bad-girl reputation, ultimately contributing to their success as a group.

About the Shangri-las

The Shangri-las formed in high school in 1963. In April 1964, when the girls were still minors, their parents signed with Red Bird Records; Mary was 15, Betty was 17, and the Ganser twins 16. Having been hired by record producer George “Shadow” Morton, they had their first success with the summer hit, “Remember (Walking in the Sand)”. The recordings for Morton featured lavish production with heavy orchestration and sound effects, and their next and biggest hit, “Leader of the Pack” (Featured on this album), climaxes with roaring motorcycles and breaking glass.
By the end of 1964 the group was an established act. They performed with the Beatles, a Fall 1964 tour with the Rolling Stones, R&B artists such as The Drifters and James Brown and Cashbox magazine listed them as best new R&B group. The group was also a fixture on the Murray The K shows at the Brooklyn Fox from 1964-66. They also promoted Revlon cosmetics. In March 1965 they toured the UK with Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Herman’s Hermits, Del Shannon and others. It safe to say the girls were hugely successful around the world.
The streetwise image of The Shangri-Las, initially a promotional device for “Leader of the Pack”—contrasted with other “girl groups” of the 1960s, and they were cited as an influence by 1970s punk rock-era acts such as the New York Dolls and Blondie, who twice covered “Out in the Streets”, and Aerosmith, who covered “Remember (Walking in the Sand)”.