During the '60s, James Brown hired the group for a big show and was surprised to discover they were not Black, as he assumed. The Shangri-Las influenced Debbie Harry, Amy Winehouse and the Ramones.

This is FRESH AIR. I'm David Bianculli, professor of television studies at Rowan University. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LEADER OF THE PACK") THE SHANGRI-LAS: Is she really going out with him? Well, there ...

This is FRESH AIR. I'm David Bianculli, professor of television studies at Rowan University. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LEADER OF THE PACK") THE SHANGRI-LAS: Is she really going out with him? Well, there ...

This is FRESH AIR. I'm David Bianculli, professor of television studies at Rowan University. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LEADER OF THE PACK") THE SHANGRI-LAS: Is she really going out with him? Well, there ...

This is FRESH AIR. I'm David Bianculli, professor of television studies at Rowan University. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LEADER OF THE PACK") THE SHANGRI-LAS: Is she really going out with him? Well, there ...

The Shangri-Las mixed a tough image with songs about teen love. Weiss, who died Jan. 19, left the group in the late '60s, and released her fist... Remembering Mary Weiss, lead singer of The ...