The Shangri-Las

The Shangri-Las were an American girl pop group which was formed in New York in 1963, and disbanded in 1968. Between 1964 and 1966, they charted with teen melodramas, and remain especially known for their million-selling #5, which was their first 7" for Red Bird, Remember (Walkin' in the Sand), followed by their US #1 hit Leader of The Pack and Give Him A Great Big Kiss.

The group was formed at Andrew Jackson High School in Cambria Heights, a neighborhood in Queens, New York City, in 1963. They were two sets of sisters: Mary Weiss (1948-2024, the youngest, and their main lead singer, who was only 15 when she sang on their two biggest hits in 1964) and Elizabeth "Betty" Weiss (b. 1946), and identical twins Marguerite "Marge"/"Margie" Ganser (1948-96) and Mary Ann Ganser (1948-1970).

They began their career by playing school shows, talent shows and teen hops, which brought them to the attention of Artie Ripp, who arranged the group's first record deal with Kama Sutra. Their first recording in December 1963 was Simon Says, later issued on the Smash label. They also recorded Wishing Well b/w Hate to Say I Told You So, which in early 1964 was their first release, when leased to the small Spokane label.

In April 1964 they signed to Red Bird, and that was the start of their most successful period, beginning with Remember (Walkin' in the Sand) b/w I's Easier To Cry, produced by Artie Ripp. After this, most of their material was produced by George "Shadow" Morton. In 1966-1967 there were unsuccessful releases on Mercury, and they broke up in 1968.

There were subsequent reunions, the last in 1989, after which Entertainment Tonight revealed that another group was imitating them and using their (apparently unregistered) name, and being managed by an unconnected individual named Larry Marshak. Legal action ensued, and a court ordered this group to stop performing under the Shangri-Las name.