Goldmine: Why not? What was wrong with it?

"Shadow" Morton: It was dangerous. They were afraid of the repercussions. "Radio stations aren't going to play it! Parents aren't going to let their daughters go out and by it!" I mean, it's a song about a young girl falling in love with a motorcycle man.

Goldmine: A girl in a skintight jumpsuit and go-go boots...

"Shadow" Morton: Clearly a bad girl. And you know, there's an inside story about that song. "Leader Of The Pack" was not written for the Shangri-Las. It was written for another Long Island group called the Goodies. They never had a lot of success--I have no answer as to why?--Four girls...good singers. I found this group during the time "Remember..." was out. It just seemed natural to me. I liked them. They liked me. They sang good. I simply wanted to make a record with them. And when the company came to me and said, "No dice! You give everything you've got to one group." Of course, nowadays that's all changed. But not then--I got shot down. That was it for me...I was ready to quit.

Goldmine: Not really!

"Shadow" Morton: Well, see, the Shangri-Las ended up with that song, but Jerry Leiber didn't know what it was until just before we went into the studio. Leiber came to me, as was the way in the business, and said, "Remember..." is falling off the charts. Do you have anything?" And I said, "Sure--it's called "Leader Of The Pack" and I tell him what it's about; it's been floating around in my head for a couple of months; and I really didn't have the song yet. And he says, "No." And that's when I went out looking for a group to sing the song. Again, I did a con job. I recorded the song secretly. I snuck out to Ultrasonic and cut it. I had a wonderful relationship with Billy Stahl, who owned Ultrasonic--the studio really was his vision--he let me have free rein. So, I called musicians as if everything was okey-dokey and we recorded it privately, with no interference. And it worked! In fact, it sounded great! Leiber had to accept it! In fact, I don't think Ellie heard the song until it was on the radio!

Goldmine: I recently read Joel Whitburn's Top 10 Hits. Ellie Greenwich describes the recording of "Leader Of The Pack" and yet, your name is never mentioned in that account. What's that all about?

"Shadow" Morton: I repeat, I don't think Ellie ever heard that song until the radio played it. A lot of things went down and even today, there are hard feelings between many of those involved. These memories are difficult...I'd rather let it go at that.

Goldmine: But Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry share writing and producing credits with you?

Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry

"Shadow" Morton: Look, I was young. I was the "new kid on the block." I gave them credits because I thought it was the right thing to do...I felt I owed them something for bringing me into the business. I gave them a piece of the action...but just a piece, mind you. I still retain majority rights. But, as I say, a lot of things went down...

Jeff Tamarkin, editor of Goldmine Magazine, added this note to the original publication: Editor's Note: Reached for a comment on these allegations, Ellie Greenwich responded: "I find that amazing, mind-boggling that he would say that. It's unfortunate that his memory has dimmed to such a point. How can I even respond to something like that? All I can say is that he had a very good time at "Leader Of The Pack" on Broadway (the show was based on the song). Maybe his mind snapped during intermission!"]

Goldmine: Ellie also says that the Shangri-Las were difficult to work with. Is that true?

"Shadow" Morton: Not exactly. Let me say that some of the girls were tough. Remember, we were kids. Mary and Liz had very particular opinions, you know.

Goldmine: The other sisters, the Ganser twins, reached tragic ends...

"Shadow" Morton: Why do you say that?

Goldmine: It's published that Mary Ann died of encephalitis in 1971 and that Marge died of a drug overdose.

"Shadow" Morton: (Laughs) Marge is not dead! (Laughs again) No, Marge is alive and well and lives out on Long Island. Let me tell you, she's a great lady and a terrific singer. I hope to get her to sing on my record. You know, Marge comes off with a real tough exterior but that lady has a heart of gold. She's very soulful. the Shangri-Las were like that, too.[Ed. Note: Marge is indeed alive and occasionally performs with the reunited Shangri-Las.]

Goldmine: The album that followed was full of hits..."Give Him A Great Big Kiss!" and...

"Shadow" Morton: The one song on that album that Artie Butler can never get out of his head is "Sophisticated Boom-Boom." That song was written in the studio. The same one that was recorded. (laughs) We needed filler. It was just a one-joke song!

Goldmine: Where did it come from?

"Shadow" Morton: You mean, how far back? (laughs) What were my influences? That kind of thing? Well, the two I always listened to the most were Miles Davis and MJQ. I listened first through a man on the radio named Symphony Sid. He was the best. He didn't care what he played--it was all music.

Goldmine: It's a shame that Sid isn't remembered the way Freed is. Sid was the greatest.

"Shadow" Morton: Symphony Sid was the best. It was all music to him. His playlist included only good music. I used to call him all the time. He knew my voice, you know, and he's say, "Hey kid. What do you want to hear? "Sketch"? "The Prayer?" What is it tonight?" Sid knew what I wanted to hear. Miles Davis or MJQ. They were my two favorites. And Sid. The radio was my influence...I'll tell you something else. It was many years later after I had established myself in the music field, that I was at a party and a jazz buff walked up to me. He said, "Did I hear you say that MJQ was your favorite group? What song did you say was your favorite?" I said, "Sketch." He said, "Sketch...as in "Remember (Walking In The Sand)?" I said, "No. I wrote "Remember (Walking In The Sand)." And he said, "Yeah, well play the first three notes of both songs..." He was right on the money.