Mary Weiss, the former singer and lead vocalist of the 1960s girl group the Shangri-Las, passed away in Palm Springs, California on Friday, Jan. 19, at the age of 75.
Miriam Linna, founder of Weiss’s label, Norton Records, confirmed her death. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Linna expressed joy and honor in working with Mary on her last records, describing her as charming and charismatic.
Born in Queens, New York, Weiss, along with her sister Elizabeth, formed the Shangri-Las in the early 1960s.
They gained fame with hits like “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” and “Leader of the Pack.”
After the group disbanded in 1968, Weiss faced legal challenges, preventing her from music for a decade.
She later reunited with the Shangri-Las and established herself as a solo artist, releasing her debut album, “Dangerous Game,” in 2007.
Tributes have poured in online, with artists like Ronnie Spector and Steven Van Zandt honoring Weiss’s legacy and the impact of the Shangri-Las on empowering young girls in the ’60s.
