“I don’t think teenage years are all that rosy for a lot of people - they certainly weren’t for me. They are the most confusing time of people’s lives and there is a tremendous dark side to the record, which I think teenagers related to.” - Mary Weiss of the Shangri-Las, on their greatest hit “Leader of the Pack”

It was no wonder punk rockers love the Shangri-Las so much. They had the courage to be fashionable, fierce, and vulnerable in a music industry that just wasn’t built for them. This week’s story is a wild tale: stolen song credits, banning from BBC radio, and organized crime - the drama is so wild, it reads like a Shangri-Las song! Sometimes the truth is stranger than motorcycle-crashing fiction. PLUS: What do Abby and Emma really think of the casting for the upcoming Beatle biopics? And what on earth is Holy Land USA?? “The Shangri-Las: Leaders of the Pack” is available wherever you stream your podcasts 🏍️

(Episode starts at 6:14)

Lisa MacKinney, “Dressed In Black: The Shangri-Las and Their Recorded Legacy” (2025)

Laura Flam and Emily Sieu Liebowitz, “But Will You Love Me Tomorrow: An Oral History of the ‘60s Girl Groups” (2023)

“Boom: A Film About the Sonics” (dir. Jordan Albertsen, 2024)

Gerri Hirshey, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The True, Tough Story of Women in Rock” (2001)

Kim Gordon, “Girl In A Band” (2015)

“Mary Weiss Comes Back For A ‘Dangerous Game’” Fresh Air on NPR, 3/6/2007

Suzi Quatro, “Suzi Quatro’s Heroes of Rock ’n’ Roll: Interview with Mary Weiss” BBC Radio 2, 10/24/2007

“Amy Winehouse: In Her Own Words” The Guardian, 7/22/2012

The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love (1957)

The Shangri-Las - Simon Says (1964)

The Shangri-Las - Remember (Walking In The Sand) [1964]

The Shangri-Las - Leader of the Pack (1964)

The Shangri-Las - Give Him A Great Big Kiss (1965)

The Shangri-Las - Out In The Streets (1965)

The Sonics - Have Love Will Travel (1965)

The Shangri-Las - How Pretty Can You Get (Revlon Natural Wonder Jingle) [1965]

The Shangri-Las - I Can Never Go Home Anymore (1965)

The Byrds - Eight Miles High (1966)

Bob Dylan - Fourth Time Around (1966)

The Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows (1966)

The New York Dolls - Looking For A Kiss (1973)

Sonic Youth - Little Trouble Girl (1994)

Mary Weiss - My Heart Is Beating (2007)

With sample from Stranger Things S4 Vol 2 E9

Follow @thedollspod on Instagram to see clips and photos from this episode!

“Never apologize, never explain - didn’t we always say that? Well, I haven’t, and I don’t.” - the late, great Marianne Faithfull

Few women in rock-and-roll history embody the idea of, “Don’t be the rock star’s girlfriend, BE the rock star” like this week’s Doll. This week we remember singer, actress, fashion icon, and “queen of the underground,” Marianne Faithfull. Marianne refused to be just another pretty face in the ‘60s hit parade. She refused to be called a “survivor” - but let’s face it, she was. Over and over again, she came back from the brink of destruction. She forged ahead each time, having been better for it. Through all her trials and troubles, she held her head high and never lost her spark - gotta love a woman who hangs a portrait of her ex over her toilet! Hear about Marianne’s incredible life on the Dolls Pod, available wherever you stream your podcasts 🕊️

Plus, Emma has a BIG announcement to make…you won’t want to miss this one!

Materials used for this episode:

Marianne Faithfull with David Dalton, “Faithfull: An Autobiography” (1994)

John Hind, “Marianne Faithfull on Her Formative Food Experiences” The Guardian, 3/12/2011)

Marianne Faithfull on the South Bank Show, ITV, 6/24/2007

Marianne Faithfull, “Anita Pallenberg Remembered By Marianne Faithfull” The Guardian, (12/17/2017)

(Episode starts at 6:16…but you won’t want to skip this intro!)

Songs in this episode:

Marianne Faithfull - As Tears Go By (1964)

Marianne Faithfull - This Little Bird (1965)

Marianne Faithfull and Joan Baez (and Bob Dylan’s typewriter) - As Tears Go By (1965)

Marianne Faithfull - Hier ou Demain (from “Made in the USA,” dir. Jean-Luc Godard [1966])

Marianne Faithfull - Is This What I Get For Loving You (1967)

Marianne Faithfull - Sister Morphine (1969)

The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses (1971)

David Bowie and Marianne Faithfull - I Got You Babe (on “The Midnight Special,” 10/19/1973)

Marianne Faithfull - Why’d Ya Do It (1979)

Marianne Faithfull - The Ballad of Lucy Jordan (1979)

Follow @thedollspod on Instagram to see clips and photos from this week’s episode!

“She knew who she was at a young age. She was able to pick herself up, dust herself off, and literally keep going no matter what cards were dealt to her.” - Ludie Montgomery, about her big sister Tammi Terrell

She was alive for just 24 years, but Tammi’s voice is immortal in pop music history. Her songs with Marvin Gaye have been sampled by Amy Winehouse, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, Method Man and Mary J. Blige, and The Notorious B.I.G. When her fans are the greats, you know she was great herself! Tammi’s irrepressible spirit inspires us all to live life boldly, love openly, and shine brightly. There is no mountain high enough and no river wide enough to hold you back. “Tammi Terrell: Sweetheart of Motown” is available wherever you stream your podcasts 💚 Follow @thedollspod on Instagram to see clips and photos from this episode!

Materials used for this episode:

Ludie Montgomery with Vickie Wright, “My Sister Tommie: The Real Tammi Terrell” (2024 ed.)

David Ritz, “Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye” (1991 ed.)

Unsung Season 3, episode 2, “Tammi Terrrell” (TVONE Network, 2010)

Art Peters, “The Ordeal of Tammi Terrell” Ebony Magazine 11/1969

(episode starts at 4:07)

Songs in this episode:

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - You’re All I Need To Get By (1968)

Mickey and Sylvia - Love Is Strange (1957)

Tammy Montgomery - If You See Bill (1961)

Ella Fitzgerald - Misty (1960)

Tammi Terrell - I Can’t Believe You Love Me (1965)

The Temptations - My Girl (1965)

Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) [1965]

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Ooh, The Simple Things (Coca Cola Jingle) [1967]

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing (1968)

Tammi Terrell - Come On and See Me (1966)

Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own (2006)

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (1967)