Ganser, Mary Ann (c. 1948–1971)

views updated

Ganser, Mary Ann (c. 1948–1971)

American singer. Born c. 1948; died of encephalitis, 1971, in New York, NY; sister of Marge Ganser (singer with the Shangri-Las).

With twin Marge, formed one half of the briefly successful Shangri-Las (1964), began singing with Marge and sisters Liz and Mary Weiss while at Jackson High School in Queens; with group, released 1st hit, "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)," which launched the Red Bird label (1964), and also released the album Leader of the Pack (1964), which included #1 hit title track; had such hit songs as "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" (1964), "Give Us Your Blessings" (1965) and "Long Live Our Love" (1966).