Ellie Greenwich, a songwriting giant with a catalog envied and respected by tunesmiths the world over, died this morning at 69 of a heartattack.

Greenwich co-wrote some of the best known songs of the early sixties, including "And Then He Kissed Me", "Da Doo Ron Ron", and of course "Leader of the Pack". The girl-group sound owes at least as much to Greenwich for songs as it does to Phil Spector.

I can't do a post about Ellie Greenwich without including what is in my opinion the silliest cover song ever recorded: Twisted Sister's version of "Leader of the Pack", which is of course sung from the perspective of the leader of the pack, rather than the girl who must leave him. Yes, quite misguided, but a clear illustration of her reach. RIP.