"Remembering Mary Weiss: The Streetwise Icon of The Shangri-Las"
Mary Weiss, the de-facto leader of the 60s girl group the Shangri-Las, brought a tough and streetwise realism to their music, standing out amid their producer George "Shadow" Morton's dramatic sound effects and high camp arrangements. With her hard and piercing voice, Weiss sang about defying parents, pursuing unsuitable boyfriends, and tragic endings, setting the group apart from traditional girl group images. Despite their career decline, the Shangri-Las' influence extended to punk and beyond, with Weiss's voice continuing to resonate in the music world.