Girl group from Queens, Ney York, active 1963-68, consisting of sisters Mary (1948-2024) and Betty (1946-) Weiss and twin sisters Marge 1948-96) and Mary-Anne (1948-70) Ganser. Between 1963-66 scoring a number of hits, among those the US #1 "Leader Of The Pack". They have been refered to as influencing many punk rock bands - as Ramones, New York Dolls and Blondie - and also been covered by acts like Johnny Thunders, Aerosmith, Beach Boys and Blondie. Checking facts I see there's so much interesting stuff written about them, a lot more than I can squeeze in here, so for more I recommend the Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shangri-Las . I had and liked the "Leader Of The Pack" 45 back in the days, but never heard the album before, so this is a first for me. As most of the tracks also figured as A:s and B:s on Rare Bird label 45:s, it can also bee seen as a part compilation. What first strikes me is the attitude. These were teenage girls, still in school, when recordings were made. Yet there's lots of spunk, at the time more than from most male groups. The up-tempo cuts are very good garage rock and you can also understand why they are liked by many later punk bands. According to rear sleeve side one is studio recordings and side two live...so they obviously worked well in front of an audience too. Favorites are of course title track, but also the up-tempos "Give Him A Great Big Kiss", "Bull Dog" and a very good "Twist And Shout" cover. Originally issued in US, Canada, UK, Downunder, South Africa and Scandinavia. Japan 2016 CD on Oldays Records (ODR6144) came with seven bonus tracks. Scandinavian had label as shown here on thick inflexible vinyl in an imported UK laminated flip/back cover. (FÄV*) (CCÖ*)
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In 2012 Lisa Anette Mackinney studied and wrote a very interesting thesis for her degree in Doctor of Philosophy. Dressed in black: The Shangri-las and their recorded legacy.Though this appeared as a book, it is also possible to download it as a PDF (349 pages 🤷♂️) for free from her university site:
SvaraRaderahttps://api.research repository.uwa.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/9839220/MacKinney_Lisa_Annette_2012.pdf.
Summary: "Sisters Mary and Betty Weiss, together with twins Mary Ann and Marguerite Ganser, were schoolgirls when they formed the Shangri-Las in 1963, and had a meteoric rise to fame with songs like “Leader of the Pack” and “Remember (Walking in the Sand).” Their career was cut short for reasons largely beyond their control, derailed by the machinations of Mafia-linked record executives, and heartbreak and tragedy followed. Historian Lisa MacKinney marshals an impressive array of new evidence to tell the Shangri-Las’ story, dispelling many myths and long-standing mysteries along the way.
Hello Monolover
Anyhow thank you for your invaluable information about vinyl pressings, mono & stereo versions and so on.
Hans
Thanks for the tip. Looks interesting. I'll check it out.
Radera