Long straight hair
The death of Mary Weiss, lead singer and one quarter of The Shangri-Las, was recognised from beyond the grave by Ronnie Spector, who predeceased her by two years. The BBC's Oliver Slow took the opportunity to demonstrate that, while he might be Slow by name, he's quick on the draw corrective edit.
The official X account of Ronnie Spector, who co-founded the Ronettes and died in January 2022, shared a tribute. "We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Mary Weiss' passing. She and Ronnie were kindred spirits; two fearless bad girls of the 60s. Join us as we spin the Shangri-Las in her honour [sic]," the statement said.
Oliver Slow, BBC News
Actually, Ronnie—presumably communicating through the services of a medium—shared the same thought through both her X and Instagram accounts. Yet in neither did she add a u
to honor
.
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Mary Weiss’ passing. She and Ronnie were kindred spirits; two fearless bad girls of the 60s. Join us as we spin the Shangri-Las in her honor.
Ronnie Spector, X
Ronnie Spector, Instagram
Really, Ollie, people are gonna think you're Slow by name, slow by nature.
The Shangri-Las were best known for their 1964 teen tragedy hit Leader of the Pack. It was originally banned by the BBC for the possibility of it making listeners so sad that they'd jump off a bridge—a fate also befalling the likes of Ricky Valance's Tell Laura I Love Her—although, when rereleased in the UK in the mid-'70s, I don't think it did anything for me other than to make me laugh. Fortunately, they don't seem to write them like that anymore, so potential suicides are going to have to seek inspiration elsewhere.
Channelling my inner Todd
Well, since we're here, with nothing better to do, I'm going to pick a hole in the lyrics to Leader of the Pack.
The song is written and sung as an encounter between Betty (Mary Weiss) and her friends. It starts with Jimmy going to pick Betty up after school, future tense. After prompting, Betty then recounts their story, culminating with Jimmy's death, past tense. So how the hell does she expect him to pick her up from school? Wearing angel's wings?
It's a pretty shit song. And that's not because it's sixty years old.
Is she really going out with him? "Well, there she is, let's ask her" "Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?" "Mmm-hmm" "Gee, it must be great riding with him" "Is he picking you up after school today?" "Mmm-mmm" "By the way, where did you meet him?" I met him at the candy store He turned around and smiled at me You get the picture "Yes, we see" That's when I fell for the leader of the pack My folks were always putting him down (down, down) They said he came from the wrong side of town (What you mean when you say that he came from the wrong side of town?) They told me he was bad, but I knew he was sad That's why I fell for the leader of the pack One day, my dad said, "find someone new" I had to tell my Jimmy, "we're through" (What you mean when you say that you better go find somebody new?) He stood there and asked me why, but all I could do was cry I'm sorry I hurt you, the leader of the pack He sort of smiled, then kissed me goodbye The tears were beginning to show As he drove away on that rainy night I begged him to go slow, whether he heard I'll never know (know, know, know, know, know, know, know) Look out, look out, look out I felt so helpless, what could I do? Remembering all the things we'd been through In school, they all stop and stare I can't hide the tears, but I don't care I'll never forget him, the leader of the pack Ooh-ooh-ooh (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone) The leader of the pack, now he's gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone) The leader of the pack, now he's gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone) the leader of the pack, now he's gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone) [Ellie Greenwich / George Morton / Jeff Barry]
* Pete Best, The Beatles' original drummer, was the only member not to sport the mop-top hairstyle. He was replaced by Ringo better drummer
Starr just as they embarked on their rise to fame. Weiss was in a stronger position to flex her individuality though, what with being the lead singer and not the drummer.