Mary Weiss, the lead singer of the 1960s pop group the Shangri-Las, has died at the age of 75, her record label said.
The US girl band rose to stardom with a run of hit songs about teenage love and tragedy, including Remember (Walking in the Sand) and Leader of the Pack, and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Weiss took centre stage with the sound and look of the Shangri-Las, helping to pioneer the girl-band era alongside the Ronettes.
Miriam Linna, of Norton Records, said: “Mary was an icon, a hero, a heroine, to both young men and women of my generation and of all generations.”
The official Instagram for Ronnie Spector, who co-founded the Ronettes and died in January 2022, posted a tribute: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Mary Weiss’ passing. She and Ronnie were kindred spirits; two fearless bad girls of the 60s. Join us as we spin the Shangri-Las in her honour.”
The group, known as the tough girls of the 60s pop scene, was made up of two sets of sisters, Mary and Elizabeth Weiss, and twins Marguerite and Mary Ann Ganser, from the Queens borough of New York City.
After a string of hits, including Give Him a Great Big Kiss and Out in the Streets, alongside opening for the Rolling Stones on their second 1964 US tour, the Shangri-Las split up.
Weiss was absent from the music industry for many decades before returning in 2007 to release her first solo record with Norton Records titled Dangerous Game to critical acclaim.