Leader of the Pack#Twisted Sister version

The tune of "Leader of the Pack" is credited to pop impresario George "Shadow" Morton together with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. According to Morton,{{cite web|url=http://www.limusichalloffame.org/lirock/shadow06.html |title=Shadow Morton-6 |access-date=February 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221115310/http://www.limusichalloffame.org/lirock/shadow06.html |archive-date=February 21, 2007 }} he wrote the song for the Goodies (also known as the Bunnies{{Cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Frontrow/2301/bunnies.html |title=Girl Group Chronicles: The Bunnies/Goodies |access-date=October 25, 2009 |archive-date=October 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023151159/http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Frontrow/2301/bunnies.html |url-status=dead }}), but instead it was needed as a follow-up to the Shangri-Las hit "Remember (Walking in the Sand)".

The song is about a girl named Betty, who is asked by friends to confirm that she is dating Jimmy, the leader of a motorcycle gang, whose ring they see on Betty's finger. After singing of love at first sight ("(By the way, where'd you meet him?) I met him at the candy store/He turned around and smiled at me/You get the picture?/(Yes, we see) That's when I fell for the Leader of the Pack"), Betty's heart turns to despair as she bemoans her parents' disapproval. The parents say Jimmy hails from "the wrong side of town" and ask Betty to tell Jimmy goodbye and find someone new. Betty reluctantly does as she is asked, and a crushed and tearful Jimmy speeds off on his motorcycle. Betty's pleas for Jimmy to slow down are in vain and Jimmy crashes on a rain-slicked surface and dies.

In July 1964, Morton recorded the vocals for "Leader of the Pack" with the Shangri-Las at Mira Sound Studios located on 145 West 47th street on the second floor of a Manhattan hotel. The song was produced by Morton. These vocals were dubbed over the instrumental parts, which had been previously recorded at the Ultrasonic Recording Studios in Hempstead, New York. In 2007 Tony Visconti wrote that pianist Artie Butler played on the track.Visconti, Tony. The Autobiography: Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy. New York: HarperCollins, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-00-722944-4}}. p. [https://archive.org/details/tonyviscontibowi0000visc/page/31/mode/1up 31].

To add the authentic sound of a motorcycle engine, one was reportedly driven through the lobby of the hotel and up to the floor of the recording studio. No one was arrested, but a ticket was issued. The motorcycle belonged to the assistant engineer on the session, who was Joe Venneri.{{cite web |url=http://www.redbirdent.com/slas2.htm |title=Out In The Streets: The Story of the Shangri-Las |last=Grecco |first=John C. |date=2002 |publisher=Red Bird Entertainment |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914014038/http://www.redbirdent.com/slas2.htm |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}} However, in an interview four decades later, Shangri-Las lead singer Mary Weiss denied that there was any motorcycle in the studio.{{cite web |url=http://www.nortonrecords.com/maryweiss/04.html |title=Mary Weiss Interview |last1=Miller |first1=Billy |last2=Linna |first2=Miriam |date=March 28, 2006 |publisher=Norton Records |access-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927115404/http://www.nortonrecords.com/maryweiss/04.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |page=5 |url-status=dead |author-link1=Billy Miller (musician) |author-link2=Miriam Linna}} Hugh Grundy, drummer for The Zombies, revved up a motorcycle backstage when the Shangri-Las performed at Murray the K's 1964 Christmas show at the Brooklyn Fox Theater.{{cite book|author=Barry Miles|title=The British Invasion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r8xbaIlrUREC&pg=PA88|year=2009|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.|isbn=978-1-4027-6976-4|page=88}} This live performance was recorded and released on the album Murray the K's Greatest Holiday Show.{{Cite AV media notes |last=Patrick |first=Mick |others=The Shangri-Las |title=Myrmidons of Melodrama |date=February 2002 |url=https://archive.org/details/cd_myrmidons-of-melodrama_shangrilas/page/n3/mode/1up?view=theater |publisher=RPM Records (United States) |type=album liner notes}}

"Leader of the Pack" was released as a single by Red Bird Records, a Leiber and Stoller label, and the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 28, 1964.{{Cite book |title=The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits |last=Bronson |first=Fred |author-link=Fred Bronson |year=2003 |publisher=Billboard Books |location=New York |isbn=0823076776 |page=160 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&pg=PT169 |access-date=July 6, 2012 }}

On Cashbox's R&B chart, it went to number 8.{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=520}}

In the United Kingdom, the single was refused airplay by the BBC, probably due to its death theme,{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/banned.html |title=Rocklist.net...Banned Recordings |website=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |date=September 13, 1997 |access-date=September 27, 2016}} although some have speculated that it was considered likely to encourage violence between mods and rockers.{{cite web |url=http://www.nortonrecords.com/maryweiss/05.html |title=Mary Weiss Interview |last1=Miller |first1=Billy |last2=Linna |first2=Miriam |date=March 28, 2006 |publisher=Norton Records |access-date=September 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113054533/http://www.nortonrecords.com/maryweiss/05.html |archive-date=November 13, 2006 |page=6 |url-status=dead}} It charted three times on the UK Singles Chart: number 11 in 1965;{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com |title=UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts |publisher=everyHit.com |date=March 16, 2000 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717022953/http://www.everyhit.com/ |archive-date=July 17, 2007 }} number 3 in 1972{{cite web|url=http://www.tsimon.com/shangri.htm |title=The Shangri-Las Page |website=Tsimon.com |date=April 20, 2000 |access-date=September 27, 2016}} (by which time the BBC ban had been lifted); and once again at number 7 in 1976, when its sales figures as a reissue on two different labels (Charly and Contempo) were combined to arrive at its chart position.{{cite book| first= Graham| last= Betts| year=2004| title= Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004| edition= 1st|publisher= Collins| location= London| isbn= 0-00-717931-6| page=693}} The record also reached number 1 in Australia in 1964, and 39 in 1973.

Cash Box described it as "a heartbreaking cha cha thumper about a gal in love with the 'Leader Of The Pack'—who loses his life in a cycle crash" with "sensational vocal and instrumental sounds" and a "powerhouse" production."{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=October 3, 1964 |page=12 |access-date=January 12, 2022 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1964/CB-1964-10-03.pdf |magazine=Cash Box}} In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at number 447.{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061217025710/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/5 |archive-date=December 17, 2006 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/5 |title=The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone}} In the 2010 revision of the list, it was moved to number 454 as new entries were added. In the 2021 update, it was moved to number 315.{{cite web|url=http://www.listchallenges.com/rolling-stone-magazines-500-greatest-songs-of/checklist/12 |title=Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - How many songs have you listened to? |website=Listchallenges.com |access-date=September 27, 2016}}{{Cite magazine |date=September 15, 2021 |title=The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/ |access-date=June 23, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Billboard named the song #9 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.{{cite web|title=100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7857816/100-greatest-girl-group-songs|publisher=Billboard|access-date=July 11, 2017}} In 2019, the song was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the new singles category created in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2019/03/songs-by-the-isley-brothers-the-shangri-las-honored-at-rock-hall-2019-ceremony.html |title=Songs by The Isley Brothers, The Shangri-Las honored at Rock Hall 2019 ceremony |date=March 29, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019}}

The song appeared in a Broadway musical based on the songs of Ellie Greenwich, Leader of the Pack, which opened in 1985.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT47 |page=48 |magazine=Billboard |date=June 15, 1985 |title=Greenwich Seeks More Support for 'Leader'}} In 1990, the song was used in the Martin Scorsese film, Goodfellas.{{Cite web |last=Cosby |first=James A. |date=2013-11-05 |title=Martin Scorsese's Best Marriage of Film and Music Is Showcased in 'Goodfellas' |url=https://www.popmatters.com/174824-scorcese-music-and-goodfellas-2495729289.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=PopMatters}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Leader of the Pack

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Twisted Sister

| album = Come Out and Play

| released = November 1985{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/848/mode/2up?q=Twisted+sister|title=Great Rock Discography|date=1995 |page=849|isbn=978-0-86241-541-9 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |publisher=Canongate Press }}

| recorded = 1985

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Glam metal{{Cite web|last=McPadden|first=Mike|date=June 6, 2015|title=Brace Yourself For The Top 10 Hair Metal Hits of 1985|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/ev7gas/top-10-hair-metal-hits-of-1985|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627215859/https://www.vh1.com/news/ev7gas/top-10-hair-metal-hits-of-1985|url-status=live|archive-date=June 27, 2022|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=VH1 News}}

| length = 3:48

| label = Atlantic

| writer = {{hlist|George "Shadow" Morton|Jeff Barry|Ellie Greenwich}}

| producer = Dieter Dierks

| prev_title = The Price

| prev_year = 1984

| next_title = You Want What We Got

| next_year = 1986

}}

In 1985, the heavy metal band Twisted Sister recorded a cover version of "Leader of the Pack" from the eponymous leader's perspective, where it is the female lover that was in a car accident, although, in the video, she does not die.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1_x-f4vJz |title=Twisted Sister - Leader of the Pack (Official Music Video) |publisher=YouTube |access-date=July 19, 2021 }}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} The track was included on the group's fourth studio album, Come Out and Play, and was released on Atlantic Records as the album's lead single. It reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 47 on the UK Singles chart.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=twisted sister|chart=Hot 100}}|title=Twisted Sister Album & Song Chart History – Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 10, 2015}}

Twisted Sister began playing "Leader of the Pack" when performing live in the clubs during the early years of their career.{{cite book |last=Snider |first=Dee |title=Shut Up and Give Me the Mic: A Twisted Memoir |publisher=Gallery Books |year=2012 |pages=327, 350–351 |isbn=9781451637397}} They first recorded a demo version of the song at Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, with Eddie Kramer as the producer, in November 1979,{{cite AV media notes |title=Ruff Cutts |others=Twisted Sister |year=1982 |type=UK 12-inch EP sleeve |publisher=Secret Records |id=SHH 137-12}} and this recording was released on the band's 1982 EP Ruff Cutts.{{cite web |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ruff-cutts-mw0000919444 |title=Twisted Sister - Ruff Cutts; Album Reviews, Songs & More |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=December 22, 2023}}

When working on their fourth studio album, Come Out and Play, in 1985, frontman Dee Snider suggested Twisted Sister should record "Leader of the Pack" as their next single. Inspired by Mötley Crüe's recent success with their cover of "Smokin' in the Boys Room", Snider was convinced "Leader of the Pack" would "appeal to everybody, including the parents of our fans who knew the original from when they were growing up". He recalled in his 2012 autobiography Shut Up and Give Me the Mic: A Twisted Memoir, "I was positive this was the track that would break down any barriers left for Twisted Sister and bring us to the level of Springsteen, Prince and Madonna. I believed that we were the band that could bring metal to the mainstream."

Upon its release as a single, Nancy Erlich of Billboard wrote, "The guitars are megaton metal, the melody is unchanged, and it's the girl who gets killed; one of the year's odder cultural artifacts."{{cite magazine |last=Erlich |first=Nancy |title=Reviews: Singles |magazine=Billboard |date=November 23, 1985 |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume=97 |issue=47 |page=67 |issn=0006-2510}} Cash Box considered it to be a "supercharged version of a classic [which] is perfect for the comic book rock of Twisted Sister". They added, "Snider's vocal interpretation is heartful and humorous, and the power-chord backing is sure to catch the ear of many CHR and rock radio programmers."{{cite magazine |title=Single Releases |magazine=Cash Box |date=November 23, 1985 |volume=49 |issue=24 |page=11 |issn=0008-7289}} Malcolm Dome of Kerrang! noted that, as with the band's earlier recording of the song, "the humor is still prevalent as well as a genuine respect for a classic pop number", but this time there's "a fine production and a firmer, resonant arrangement".{{cite magazine |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |title=Short Kutz |magazine=Kerrang! |date=January 23, 1986 |issue=112 |page=27 |issn=0262-6624}}

• In 1965, "Leader of the Laundromat", written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, was released by The Detergents and peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 1965.{{cite book |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of 60s Music |editor=Colin Larkin |publisher=Virgin Books |date=2002 |edition=3rd |isbn=1-85227-933-8 |page=167 |url=https://archive.org/details/virginencycloped0000unse_d1p5/page/167/mode/1up?view=theater}} This resulted in Morton, Barry and Greenwich filing a lawsuit for plagiarism.
• On her debut album The Divine Miss M (1972), Bette Midler did a version which began in the original tempo, sped up in the second verse, and was so fast by the end that it became difficult to understand the lyrics. Her rendition of the song has been praised by Robert Christgau and AllMusic's Mark Deming among others.{{cite book |last=Christgau |first=Robert |year=1981 |title=Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies |publisher=Ticknor & Fields |isbn=089919026X |chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: M |chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=M&bk=70 |via=robertchristgau.com}}{{cite web |last=Deming |first=Mark |title=The Divine Miss M – Bette Midler – Review |website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-divine-miss-m-mw0000650495#review}}
• British punk rock group The Damned quoted the first line of the song ("Is she really going out with him?") in their single "New Rose". The song was the first ever single released by a British punk band.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jj-archive.net/notes/notes_ls.html|title=The Joe Jackson Archive: Footnotes to "Look Sharp!"|website=www.jj-archive.net|access-date=November 13, 2018}}
• British comedian Julian Clary sang a parody of "Leader of the Pack" in 1988–90 as part of his then-act, The Joan Collins Fan Club. It was released as a single in the UK and reached a peak position of No.60 on the UK singles chart in the summer of 1988.{{Cite web |date=June 11, 1988 |title=Joan Collins Fan Club |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24973/joan-collins-fan-club/ |access-date=November 5, 2024 |website=Official Charts}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMJi_VZPH64 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/uMJi_VZPH64 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Julian Clary - "Leader of the Pack" - original stereo video |date=May 14, 2012 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=September 27, 2016}}{{cbignore}} Clary sang the lead part from the point of view of a camp 28-year-old gay man bewailing the loss of his biker love interest in a fatal motorcycle accident.
• Anglia Building Society used a version of the song (with modified lyrics referencing the product) to advertise their child account, the Anglia Top Savers' Club, on UK television in the 1980s.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du_1_asUR7s

• Teenage tragedy song

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.redbirdent.com/slas2.htm History of the Shangri-Las]

{{The Shangri-Las}}

{{Twisted Sister}}

{{2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1964 singles

Category:1964 songs

Category:1985 singles

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:Red Bird Records singles

Category:Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Category:The Shangri-Las songs

Category:Songs banned by the BBC

Category:Songs inspired by deaths

Category:Songs written by Ellie Greenwich

Category:Songs written by Jeff Barry

Category:Songs written by Shadow Morton

Category:Teenage tragedy songs

Category:Twisted Sister songs

Category:Vehicle wreck ballads