Leader of the Pack

Leader of the Pack is the 1965 debut album by girl group The Shangri-Las. The album was produced to capitalize on the group's breakthrough hits "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" and "Leader of the Pack" which had been co-written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. After the album's focal track went to number one, The Shangri-Las' style and image had evolved into something tougher and earthier. Much of the material for Leader of the Pack such as "Bull Dog" and "It's Easier to Cry" emphasized their new style. Other songs on the album include cover versions of "Maybe" originally by The Chantels with Betty Weiss on lead vocals, along with "Shout" by The Isley Brothers and "Twist and Shout" by the Top Notes. Also on the album is "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" which The Shangri-Las would release as a single later in the year. Although the group had scored two major hits, the album only charted at 109 on the U.S. albums chart. The album was rated the 49th best album of the 1960s by Pitchfork