Mary Weiss, lead singer of the Shangri-Las, has signed to Norton Records. This spring in New York, she’ll begin recording her first new material since 1965, backed up by Memphis punks the Reigning Sound with Billy Miller and Greg Cartwright producing.
From Norton:
Mary is selecting from a batch of great new comps from today’s most talked-about songwriters including Greg Cartwright, John Felice, Andy Shernoff, Jackie DeShannon and others TBA. Mary’s first album of new material since 1965. Mary is geared up for her return to the studio and stage, and so are we! Mary was fifteen years old when she and her sister Elizabeth (Betty) began singing with identical twins Margie and Mary Ann Ganser in their Cambria Heights neighborhood of Queens, New York, as students at Andrew Jackson High School. They soon came to the attention of George “Shadow” Morton and shot into the charts with massive hits on the Redbird label including “Remember (Walking In The Sand),” “Leader Of The Pack,” “Give Him A Great Big Kiss,” “I Can Never Go Home Anymore,” “Give Us Your Blessings” and “Out In The Streets.” The Shangri-Las gave a voice to real teenagers, with Mary’s explosive lead vocals delivering emotion packed melodramas that made them one of the most consistently exciting groups of the day. Look for our interview with Mary on the Norton website in April, when you will learn where she’s been and where she’s going, setting the record straight about her days as a teenage rock and roll star. Says Mary: “I’m excited by the opportunity to work with Billy, Miriam, some great writers and a kick ass rock and roll band!” Hail, Mary Weiss, ultimate cultural icon!
(Mary Weiss is the cute blonde on the right.)
Watch video of the Shangri-Las performing “Give Him A Great Big Kiss”, “Right Now and Not Later”, and “Twist and Shout” (with Dobie Gray) on Shindig via the always great Bedazzled.
Check out the Shangri-Las’ Myrmidons of Melodrama for 33 tracks of teen-queen bliss.
BEST DAMN NEWS EVER
thanks GN for sharing this
YES!!!! Mary Weiss remains the Goddess of Pop Music! I still have every one of the Red Bird singles in mint condition. Without Mary and The Shangri-Las, there would probably have been no Blondie, Pat Benatar, or so many others they opened the doors for. Thanks, Mary! You have been missed!
I worked with Mary for 13 years in a Manhattan Furniture Contract. Most of us though never mentioned it to Mary secretly wished and prayed that she would one day share her great voice with the world once again.
Hello Mary, Joe Chiarello with his 2-Doggies living in southampton, NY
I can’t wait to hear that voice again! We’re all grown
up now & I’m very interested
in hearing the new songs.
It’s been a long long time!
Can you tell Mazry, who wwe were emaling each other the past month or two that I lost many of my email addresses, including Mary’s, when my Computer got attacked and had to wipe out all ion my Computer an restart. Tell Mary that I was in the Hospital for 8-days and now I am OK but recovering with minimal aCTIVITY.
plEASE ASK mARY IF IT IS ACCEPOTABLE TO HER TO DROP ME A SHORT NOTE WITH HER EMAIL SO THAT i CAN REE-ENTER HER TO MY eMAIL aDDRESSES.
THANK NYOU.
…. jnOSEPH a. CHIARERLLO
[email protected]
Ronnie has a new CD and now Ms Mary has one as well! I am definitely psyched.Shangri-las music is like the soundtrack to my early life.Back when those lps were released you had to watch how you treated them They’d crack , break , melt …and for someone who didn’t have a pot to piss in , it was a real sacrifice to replace one if you had the unfortunate circumstance of dropping one of those treasured platters . Well I know ‘Leung’ is creaming after practically stalking the silken haired ‘biker chick’Ms Mary for all these years. I pray you have a wonderful success ms Mary Weiss! love yeah lots!
Who would have thought after all these years? I was an original Shangs fan from the 60’s and have played their music all these years. Back then, they sang about MY life. Hearing Mary’s voice again is chilling. Long, long overdue.
Luv ya Mary! Always have, always will. You made a hugh impact on me in Cambria Heights that has lasted for 43 years. Thanks for giving us some new music that we can cherish for another 43 years.