Record Producer, Songwriter. He is best known for his work with the 1960s girl music group The Shangri-Las. Raised in Brooklyn, he initiated his career in music while a teenager, as a member of the rock ensemble The Marquees. During this period, he formed a friendship with Ellie Greenwich whom went onto become a successful songwriter with her husband Jeff Barry. In 1964, Morton got in touch with Barry whom at the time was turning out hits at the famed Brill Building. Morton had taken on managing the local group The Shangri-Las and with the submission of his song "Remember (Walking in the Sand" (1964) this led to their signature hit "Leader Of The Pack", for which earned a number one placing on the Pop Charts. Additionally, the song was of historical note as it is believed Billy Joel made his introduction to the industry as a fifteen-year old session musician. He made his first mark as a producer in 1965, when he signed a then-sixteen year old Janis Ian to a contract and the result was her controversial, interracial-themed hit "Society's Child (Baby I've Been Thinking)" (1967). By late in the decade as the music styles changed, he produced the psychedelic sounds of Vanilla Fudge and The Blues Project. During the 1970s he worked with Mott the Hoople and The New York Dolls, before disappearing from public view in order to deal with substance abuse issues. During the 1990s, he returned to producing.
Record Producer, Songwriter. He is best known for his work with the 1960s girl music group The Shangri-Las. Raised in Brooklyn, he initiated his career in music while a teenager, as a member of the rock ensemble The Marquees. During this period, he formed a friendship with Ellie Greenwich whom went onto become a successful songwriter with her husband Jeff Barry. In 1964, Morton got in touch with Barry whom at the time was turning out hits at the famed Brill Building. Morton had taken on managing the local group The Shangri-Las and with the submission of his song "Remember (Walking in the Sand" (1964) this led to their signature hit "Leader Of The Pack", for which earned a number one placing on the Pop Charts. Additionally, the song was of historical note as it is believed Billy Joel made his introduction to the industry as a fifteen-year old session musician. He made his first mark as a producer in 1965, when he signed a then-sixteen year old Janis Ian to a contract and the result was her controversial, interracial-themed hit "Society's Child (Baby I've Been Thinking)" (1967). By late in the decade as the music styles changed, he produced the psychedelic sounds of Vanilla Fudge and The Blues Project. During the 1970s he worked with Mott the Hoople and The New York Dolls, before disappearing from public view in order to deal with substance abuse issues. During the 1990s, he returned to producing.
Bio by: C.S.
Advertisement
See more Morton memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
