![George "Shadow" Morton](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/2d/fc/1361057827_8532_shadow.jpg?itok=LHIy0k3M "George "Shadow" Morton")
The legendary record producer Shadow Morton has died at the age of 72, according to reports. Born George Francis Morton in Richmond Virginia on September 3, 1940, Shadow grew up in the New York area and was the mastermind behind such hit songs as the Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack" and "You Keep Me Hanging On".
Shadow also wrote a number of songs for the Shangri-Las and produced albums for such acts as the New York Dolls, Janis Ian and Mott the Hoople.
Morton lost a lawsuit against Polygram Records for alleged unauthorized use of his song, "Leader of the Pack", in the 1990 Martin Scorsese movie, "Goodfellas", and battled alcoholism in the 1980s.
Posting on the social network site Twitter early Saturday, Amy Winehouse's producer Mark Ronson said: "Rest in peace, Shadow Morton. His songs were an inspiration for so much of Back To Black." While Janis Ian said on Friday: "Shadow Morton, who produced 'Society's Child,' 'Leader of the Pack' and other seminal records, is gone. A sad start to the day."
No cause of death has yet been announced but it is reported that Morton was suffering from cancer for some time.
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