album · February 1, 1965

Leader of the Pack

The Shangri-Las

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rockrhythm and bluespop

This 1965 single, released on an unsuspecting public, cemented The Shangri-Las' legacy with its death-obsessed narrative and distinctive use of sound effects.

• The spoken-word bridge by a male voice detailing the accident was a shocking innovation for a pop single in 1965.
• "Leader of the Pack" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1964.
• The song's themes of teenage death and rebellion were controversial for the time.

The Shangri-Las were an American rock group from Queens, New York City. They are best known for their "teenage tragedy" songs.