The Shangri-Las released “Leader of the Pack,” the 1964 song about a motorcycle-riding boyfriend.
The New York group recorded the song for Red Bird Records. Its dramatic spoken passages, motorcycle sound effects and tragic storyline made it one of the most distinctive teen-pop singles of the 1960s.
“Leader of the Pack” was written by George Morton, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 1964, giving The Shangri-Las their best-known commercial success.
The group is sometimes grouped with the girl groups produced by Phil Spector, but The Shangri-Las were associated primarily with producer George “Shadow” Morton and Red Bird Records. Lead singer Mary Weiss delivered the song’s central vocal narrative.