Home |
|---|
"Songs of The Stonewall" ©
Stonewall Musical Legends:
The Shangri-Las & Various Artists
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////=Transition=
Except for The Shangri-Las, this Various Artists of The Stonewall Club is
transitioning to:
http://www.STONEWALLvets.org/songsofStonewall-4.htm
Thanks to all of you from all around The World....... it got soooooooooooo big!
|
STONEWALL Veterans' Association Index of "Songs of The Stonewall" * Various Artists Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and "Jersey Boys" Mick Jagger & The Rolling Stones Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles The Beatles featuring Paul McCartney The Fifth Dimension featuring Marilyn McCoo Edwin StarrSmokey Robinson & The Miracles Surprise Male Singer (coming soon) Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5Rolling Stone Magazine Collection Artists Phil Spector Artists: Darlene Love, The Crystals, Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans .....and many more Stonewall Club artists to come! ============================================ Special "Songs of The STONEWALL" weblinx at the S.V.A.
Diana Ross & The Supremes (Flo Ballard, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong)
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
The Marvelettes
|
Sweethearts of The Stonewall: The Shangri-Las featuring Mary Weiss
The Shangri-Las (circa 1964): Marge Ganser, Mary Weiss and Mary Ann Ganser
The Shangri-Las' songs at The Stonewall Club -and- in the movie "Stonewall":
* "Remember, Walkin' In The Sand" (1964) {#1 song}
* "Give Him A Great Big Kiss" (1964) {#1 NYC}
* "Out In The Streets" (1965)
* "Sophisticated Boom Boom" (1966) {campy flipside of "Long Live Our Love"}
* "Past, Present And Future" (1966) {three-part story-telling and haunting movie theme song of "Stonewall"}
"The Shangs": Margie Ganser (fun gal), Betty Weiss (fab hair) and Mary Weiss (hot lead)
*
| The Shangri-Las -- Mary Weiss, Betty
Weiss, Mary Ann Ganser and Margie Ganser -- affectionately known as
"The Shangs", were universally unique not only in the lyrics of the
songs that they effectively sang and performed but in their natural
attractiveness, personal charm and girl-power appearance.
The Shangri-Las steadily gained popularity, recognition and
success which are still evident to this day. As for popular girl
groups, like The Ronettes (Manhattan) and The Chiffons
(The Bronx)... The Shangri-Las are also from New York City --
Queens! Mary Weiss was the one and only and the inimitable lead singer of The Shangri-Las. Mary's voice was the ultimate teenage voice. Her magnetic voice and precise intonation set the stage for the group. Mary was the chief ingredient in the quartet. Mary's stand-out voice is strong, dramatic, emotional, mesmerizing and, when needed, angst-laden and brooding -- yet all the while charming and sexy! Appearance-wise, pretty Mary had it nailed -- and in a simple yet attractive way. This was commercially reaffirmed by Natural Wonder Make-up chosing Miss Weiss as their teen spokesgirl. Mary's beautiful, blondish hair was a popular and praising topic of conversation. Moreover, The Shangri-Las were virtually the only #1 white girl group of the 1960s -- the sole exception previously being pre-Shangri-Las in 1963 with the trio The Angels. They had two big hit songs: "My Boyfriend's Back" and "Till". By the way, can't you easily hear and see The Shangs perfectly performing "My Boyfriend's Back"? Listen to the lyrics: "My boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble". (As we already know, when it comes to girls and their boyfriends, "trouble" can involve The Shangri-Las's boys -- such as both Jimmys.) "When you see him comin', you better cut out on the double. You've been spreadin' lies that I was untrue. So look out now 'cause he's comin' after you! Hey, he knows I wasn't cheatin'. Now, you're gonna get a beatin'!" Get the picture? Yes, we see! Color it The Shangri-Las! In a lengthy interview with Queen Allyson Ann Allante ("AAA") of the STONEWALL Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") and the Imperial QUEENS of New York ("IQKNY"), she was querried about the music at the original Stonewall Club in Manhattan, New York. She was also asked about the effective and telling music in the movie "Stonewall", in which Allyson appears and The Shangri-Las sing. Queen AAA descriptively declared: "The great Shangri-Las -- the 'Sweethearts of The Stonewall' -- are the quintessential girl group in looks, demeanor and perception. Mary & The Shangs were very popular at The Stonewall in the jukebox and over a quarter-of-a-century later, five of their songs are in the movie "Stonewall". The Shangri-Las are universally and inimitably represented as... street corner standin', boy-watchin', beach walkin', cycle ridin', fast drivin', leather wearin', boot kickin', foot-stompin', hip-shakin', finger snappin', soda drinkin', gum chewin', eyes rollin', hair beehivin', make-up paintin', eye lashin', lip poutin', nail bitin', perfume smellin', party dancin', luv makin', heart-breakin' galz." All of The Shangri-Las' golden -- many iconic -- songs from 1964 to 1966 were recorded on Red Bird Records and virtually all were produced by George "Shadow" Morton. "The Shadow" -- second only to legendary Phil Spector in strong style and imaginative ideas -- instinctively knew what to do different and creatively how to do it! The sound effects on "Remember" and "Leader" are incredibly memorable. Us youngsters "L-U-Ved" it! As of 1967, with the unfortunate demise of Red Bird Records, The Shangs along with Shadow moved to Mercury Records. The greatly-anticipated singles collection was issued as the "Golden Hits of The Shangri-Las" by Mercury. It includes all of their "A" side singles and almost all of their hits at The Stonewall Club, which also consisted of a few "B" sides such as "Heaven Only Knows" and "The Train From Kansas City". Most of all, to us, The Shangri-Las simply had a special musical "entry pass" at The Stonewall. The white, teenage, pop 'n' soul girls were perennial favorites in the popular Stonewall jukebox! They were so Stonewall with their drama, their attitude, their attire and their yearnings. The Shangs' songs were always theatrical and fresh at The Stonewall and elsewhere. Likewise for The Shangri-Las, their songs, honored once again, are playing many years later on the big screen in the movie "Stonewall".
----- Williamson Henderson, S.V.A.
|
*
The definitive Shangri-Las.... Myrmidons of Melodrama
Pictured (l-2-r) are: Mary Ann Ganser, Betty Weiss, Marge Ganser and Mary Weiss
* * * *
Other Shangri-Las songs at The Stonewall (but not in the "Stonewall" movie):
* "Leader Of The Pack" (1964) {#1 song}
* "Give Us Your Blessings" =b/w= "Heaven Only Knows" (1965)
* "Right Now And Not Later" =b/w= "The Train From Kansas City" (1965)
* "I Can Never Go Home Any More" (1965) {#1 NYC}
* "Long Live Our Love" (1966)
* "He Cried" =b/w= "Dressed In Black" (1966)
* "The Sweet Sounds Of Summer" (1967)
* "Footsteps On The Roof" =b/w= "Take The Time" (1967)
Musical Notes: The Shangri-Las
also impressed and effected many other singers and musicians over
the decades. Some of the artists who have 'covered' songs of The
Shangri-Las, or were musically influenced by them, include
(alphabetically): Aerosmith ("Remember"), Debbie Harry &
Blondie ("Out In The Streets"), The Damned, The Detergents
("Leader"), The Detroit Cobras, The Dictators, The Donnas, Duff Sisters
("Leader"), Girlschool, Go-Go's ("Remember"), Joan Jett, Bette Midler
("Leader"), New York Dolls ("Kiss"), The Ramones, The Ronettes
("Paradise", yes, The Shangs did it first), The Runaways, Sonic Youth,
Twisted Sister ("Leader"), Versus ("Out In The Street"), Amy
Winehouse........ There are, 'No Doubt', more. Let the
S.V.A. know!
The Shangri-Las in full image, regalia and hair (l-2-r): Betty Weiss,
twins Mary Ann and Margie Ganser and lead singer Mary Weiss
* * * *
Update: "The Past"
One rock music writer years ago relating to the missing in action of The Shangri-Las cleverly referred to them as "The Holy Shangri-Las: St. Mary, St. Elizabeth, St. Mary Ann and St. Marguerite"!
Several Shangri-Las songs were in the feature film "Stonewall" in 1996. Two of the songs, "Kiss" and "Boom", were cleverly and effectively acted out by a drag queen quartet. Besides video cassette, the movie "Stonewall" is now available on d-v-d.
The Shangri-Las sisters, Mary and Betty Weiss, were portrayed by sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff performing "Leader Of The Pack" on NBC-TV's critically-acclaimed series "American Dreams" on Sunday evening, November 23, 2003. The show always included music from the time period being staged with guest stars lip-synching the original music.
See 411 for "Stonewall" movie featuring a handful of Shangri-Las songs at:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/Stonewallmovie.htm
*
Update: "The Present"
Dream-come-true: As of May 2006, Miss Mary Weiss with the inimitable voice has smartly and triumphantly resumed recording music! The record label is Norton Records. Mary's first single record "(Just As Long As You) Don't Come Back" was released in April 2007. "Look out! Look out! Look out!"
Visit The Shangri-Las' tribute site with pix at: www.TheShangri-Las.com
Mary Weiss's Records in 2007 and 2008
Mary Weiss's first solo song "Don't Come Back" (written and
produced by Greg Cartwright) has been released on Norton Records.
The appealing flipside song is "A Certain Guy" (written by Naomi
Neville and produced by Billy Miller). Curiously,
the B-side, like in the good old hit days with some
flipsides, is not on this album. The follow-up 2008 single is the
upbeat and pulsating "Stop And Think It Over"!
(Note: In reply to queries, "Stop And Think It Over" is not a 'cover' of the Dale & Grace
hit of the same title in 1964, ironically, at the time of The Shangri-Las' "Remember".)
Mary's long-awaited new album-c/d "Dangerous
Game" was released on the 7th of March 2007. It
was enthusiastically, positively and widely reviewed.
And, "that's called glad". Guess which Shangri-Las'
song, a B-side favorite, is reworked on the album by
Mary now?
Answer: The song answer is stated below above the "updated" icon. Get the picture?
Special 'Thank You' to Mary Weiss for sending the STONEWALL Veterans' Association your appreciative note and beautiful photo! And, to both Mary and Ed Ryan for your continued support of the legendary S.V.A.
=two legends=
Mary Weiss & The Stonewall
38th Anniversary Party of
the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion
and the S.V.A. Fun/d-Raiser
at
The Stonewall Inn
53 Christopher Street
at Sheridan Square
Greenwich Village, New York
on
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007
from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Smilin' pretty original Shangri-La Mary Weiss at the original Stonewall Club!
Presenting the "#1 Stonewall Sweetheart" is S.V.A.'s Williamson Henderson.
[Photo by Mary's Manager Ed Ryan]
For much more 411 on that Stonewall event with Mary and another photo:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/recent_events_2007.htm
=recent concert event=
Mary Weiss
at the renowned
South Street Seaport Open-Air Concert
in Lower Manhattan , New York
on
Friday, July 18th @ 7 p.m.
at
South Street Seaport / Pier 17
*
Update: "The Future"
Shangri-La Mary Weiss's website is in one word fan-tastic! More updates, songs, pix, info, dates and linx are coming in the very near future! Visit Mary's fan-tastic website at: www.MaryWeiss.com
Miss Mary has had recent performances in New York City, New York; Hollywood, California; Madrid, Barcelona, Castellon and Mallorca, Spain; Cleveland, Ohio; Los Angeles, CA; Austin, Texas; Bay Shore, Long Island; Lyon, France; and Brooklyn, NY. Select concert scheduling of Mary Weiss is announced as a courtesy here at the S.V.A. website.
*
Mary Weiss's Concert "Sweet 16" Songlist
1. "My Heart Is Beating (You Better Be Good To Me)"2. "You're Never Gonna See Me Cry"
3. "Remember, Walking In The Sand" (Shangs)
4. "Heaven Only Knows" (Shangs)5. "I Don't Care"
6. "The Train From Kansas City" (Shangs)
7. "Stop And Think It Over" (second solo single)
8. "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do"
9. "Cry About The Radio"
10. "Break It For Me One More Time"11. "Out In The Streets" (Shangs) {Mary's fave}
12. "Give Him A Great Big Kiss" (Shangs)
13. "Come On Up"
14. "I Can Never Go Home Anymore" (Shangs)
15. "Leader Of The Pack" (Shangs)
16. "Don't Come Back" {first solo single}
*
For more 411 about Mary, you can visit her at: www.MySpace.com/MaryWeiss
Tops of The Stonewall: The Four Tops
Tops pictured (l-2-r): Lawrence Payton, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, lead singer Levi Stubbs and Abdul "Duke" Fakir -- all four original Four Tops
The Four Tops' big, solid, soulful, strong hits at The Stonewall:
* "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" (1966) {#1 R&B}
* "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" (1966)
* "Reach Out, I'll Be There" (1966) {#1 int'l song}
* "Standing In The Shadows Of Love" (1966) {#1 song}
* "Bernadette" {#1 song} =b/w= "I Got A Feeling" (1967)
* "Seven Rooms Of Gloom " =b/w= "I'll Turn To Stone" (1967)
* "You Keep Running Away" (1967)
* "Walk Away Renee" (1968) {remake of The Left Bank song}
* "I'm In A Different World" (1968) {analogy to Gay world}
* "Don't Bring Back Memories" (1969) {Stonerwall Rebellion time}
You've Made Us So Very Happy: Brenda Holloway
Beautiful looks, beautiful person and beautiful voice: Brenda Holloway
Brenda is so Stonewall... stunning, soulful, stylish, sweet, sultry and sexy
Brenda Holloway's so very popular hit songs at The Stonewall Club:
* "When I'm Gone" (1965)
* "Operator" (1965)
* "You Can Cry On My Shoulder" =b/w= "How Many Times Did You Mean It" (1965)
* "Together Til The End Of Time" (1966)
* "Hurt A Little Every Day" (1966)
* "'Til Johnny Comes" =b/w= "Where Were You" (1966) {limited release}
* "Just Look What You've Done" (1967)
* "You've Made Me So Very Happy" (1967) (reissued 1969)
| Stonewall Note: One of the most memorable lines of any song at The Stonewall dance club came from the Smokey Robinson-penned "When I'm Gone", wonderfully sung by Brenda Holloway. The popular song contained the gay-ly altered lyrical line: "You're a real Dr. Jekyll and MRS. Hyde"! At the precise moment in unison, everyone yelled out "MRS." It was hysterical fun and, perhaps morever, underlying was a familial, unifying feeling of special comaraderie and a real Gay community. |
A Real King at Stonewall: Elvis Presley
[King-ly pic of Elvis to arrive from Graceland....]
King Elvis was popular at The Stonewall especially in 1969:
* "In The Ghetto" (1969) {#1 song}
* "Clean Up Your Own Backyard" (1969)
* "Suspicious Minds" (1969) {#1 int'l song}
The Dancing Girls: Ronnie Spector & The Ronettes
Pictured above (circa 1964): Nedra Talley, Estelle Bennett and Ronnie Spector
Ronettes shown above (l-2-r): Ronnie, Estelle and Nedra
The ravishing Ronettes' sexy songs at The Stonewall:
* "Born To Be Together" (1965)
* "Is This What I Get For Loving You" (1965)
* "Frosty The Snowman" (1965) (EP single) {Xmas song}
* "I Can Hear Music" (1966)
* "Sleigh Ride" (1966) (reissued 1967, 1968, 1969) {Xmas song}
1968 Newz: Singer Ronnie Spector marries her record producer Phil Spector
* "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered" (1969)
Event: Ronnie Spector & The Ronettes finally inducted into the fab "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" on Monday, March 12, 2007 at The Waldorf in the girls' home city of New York. Ronnie, Estelle and Nedra performed three of their hit classics "Be My Baby", "Baby I Love You" and "Do I Love You".
Firey Hits Bi: Jim Morrison & The Doors
The Doors: Jim Morrison, John Dinsmore, Ray Manzareck and Robby Krueger
Absolute collection of The Doors' record album covers
The Doors featuring bisexual Jim Morrison hit hard at The Stonewall:
* "Light My Fire" (1967) {#1 song}
* "People Are Strange" (1967) {most described Gay people that way then}
* "Love Me Two Times" (1968)
* "Hello, I Love You" (1968) {#1 song}
* "Touch Me" (1969) {friendly and helpful advice at The Stonewall}
| Stonewall Notes: "Light My Fire" not only steamed up the windows of clubs and bars but of houses, apartments, offices and cars. That song was steamingly hot everywhere, especially at Gay clubs like The Stonewall. In 1967 it was #1 with a bullet! The popular "Gay Grapevine" reported from coast-to-coast that Jim was Gay, i.e., bisexual. "Jim Morrison's taste for men even made the straight grapevines when he hung around (Gay) Andy Warhol's (Gay) 'Factory' (Gay) crew", declared rock biographer Stephen Davis in his book "Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend". Hot Morrison's subsequent home in Gay West Hollywood, California, was gay-ly named "Cherie Amour" by him. Ironically, that is the same name as a 1969 Stonewall song. On the civil rights front, Jim Morrison publicly stated many times that he was all for worthwhile rebellion. Right on! Years later in 1993, in fact, Jim was mentioned in the book "Stonewall". |
JDM 411:
James Douglas Morrison was born on December 8 in 1942 in
Melbourne, Florida. Jim shockingly and tragically died at such an
extremely young age of only 27 on July 3 in 1971 in Paris,
France.
Gay People's Funny Girl: Barbra Streisand
|
"Duets" highlights Barbra Streisand's ultra Gay 1963 musical hallmark "Get Happy"/"Happy Days
Are Here Again" medley duet with then #1Gay icon Judy Garland -- how "happy" can you get??!! |
Bon Soir Barbra's significant Streisand songs at Stonewall:
* "Miss Marmelstein" (from Babsala's "I Can Get It For You Wholesale" Broadway play (1963)
* "People" (from "Funny Girl", Barbra's smash Broadway play) (1964)
* "Why Did I Choose You" (from B-way play "The Yearling") (1965)
* "My Man" (from Miss Streisand's hit B-way play "Funny Girl") (1965)
* "He Touched Me" (from EG's B-way play "Drat! The Cat" (1965)
* "Second Hand Rose" (1966) {favorite Gay camp song; "Oh, look, there goes my... "}
* "Where Am I Going" (from B-way play "Sweet Charity") (1966)
* "Free Again" (1966) {anyone wonder why Babs succeeded Judy?}
* "Lover Man" (1967) {another purr-fect Gay boy love song by Babsala}
* "Our Corner Of The Night" (1968) {primarily heard in Gay bars}
* "Funny Girl" (1968) (La Streisand's title song from her #1 block-busta)
* "Don't Rain On My Parade" (from Babs' #1 movie "Funny Girl") (1968)
{united Gay community pre-Stonewall Rebellion cheer-leading song}
* "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (North And South And East And West Of Your Life)" =b/w= "What About Today" (1969)
* "Before The Parade Passes By" (from Babs' movie "Hello, Dolly!") (1969)
{fabulously perfect theme song post-1969 Stonewall Rebellion "Parade" for
some Gay boys out of the Stonewall Club and via paddy wagon to the police
station and for "People" to join the Gay pride parades for years to come}
* "Hello, Dolly!" (1969) (Babs' tour de force movie and title song)
{unfortunately, December 1969 was also "Goodbye, Stonewall!"}
The Prince of Motown: Marvin Gaye
[The Prince of Motown M.P.G. pic to be inserted here!]
Motown pride and joy Marvin hot Gay songs at The Stonewall:
* It Takes Two" [w/ Kim Weston] (1967) {#1 R&B}
* "Your Unchanging Love" (1967)
* You" (1968)
* "Chained" (1968)
* "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (1968) {#1 int'l song} {re-do of G.K.P. song}* "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" (1969) {#1 R&B}
* "That's The Way Love Is" (1969) {#1 R&B}
Note: Also see the Tammi Terrell section with Marvin & Tammi duet songs.
Stonewall's Singing Grapevine: Gladys Knight & The Pips
[Look soon for a pic of the Lady Knight & the Pips!]
Gladys & The Pips got down to the real nitty gritty at The Stonewall:
* "Everybody Needs Love" (1967) {#1 R&B}
* "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (1967) {#1 int'l song}
* "The End Of Our Road" (1968)
* "It Should Have Been Me" (1968) {re-do of Kim Weston song}
* "I Wish It Would Rain" (1968) {re-do of Temptations song}
* "Didn't You Know (You'd Have To Cry Sometime)" (1969)
* "The Nitty Gritty" {remake of Shirley Ellis song} =b/w= "Got Myself A Good Man" (1969)
* "Friendship Train" (1969) {#1 R&B}
Blue-Eyed Soul: The Righteous Brothers
[Pix of the Brothers shall be forthcoming!!]
The brothers and sisters at Stonewall dug the Righteous Brothers:
* "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (1965) {#1 int'l song}
* "Just Once In My Life" (1965)
* "Unchained Melody" (1965) {#1 song} {remake of the classsic song}
* "Ebb Tide" (1966) {another climatic Gay grinder}
* "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration" (1966) {#1 song}
Where The Girls Are: Connie Francis
[Photo on long order from New Little Italy in New Jersey!]
Miss Connie Francis' symbolic signature songs every year at The Stonewall:
* "Where The Boys Are" (from Connie's #1 movie) {#1 int'l song} {nightly closing song}
* "Follow The Boys" (from Miss Francis' movie's title) {Stonewall opening song}