Classic Pop Icons

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Del Shannon.

Del Shannon was born Charles Weedon Westover on December 30, 1934 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He learned ukulele and guitar while growing up and played in a band in Germany while serving in the army in the mid-1950s. On returning from the army, he worked part-time as a rhythm guitarist in Doug DeMott’s group. He soon took the group over and renamed it the Big Little Show Band. At this stage, he was going by the name Charlie Johnson.

Del Shannon in 1963

The big break came in 1959 when Westover signed for Big Top, along with his keyboardist Max Crook. Crook had invented the Musitron that would later feature so memorably on the instrumental break of “Runaway.” Westover soon began using the name Del Shannon and, after some initial sessions that weren’t very fruitful, recorded the great “Runaway” in January 1961. It was released the following month and reached number one in April. The great melody, piercing falsetto from Shannon and innovative use of the Musitron make this one of the best singles of the decade.

Other hits would follow, such as “Hats Off to Larry,” “So Long Baby,” “Little Town Flirt,” and a cover of The Beatles’ “From Me to you,” but none would be as big as “Runaway.”

There were artistic highlights later in the decade, such as “The Further Adventures of Charles Westover” album, but his work no longer attracted large sales.

The 1970s were not very productive for Del Shannon, due in part to his problems with alcoholism. At the time of his death, Del’s profile had been raised by a re-recording of “Runaway” as the theme for the Crime Story NBC television series. He went on to record with ELO’s Jeff Lynne in 1990 and these recordings can be heard on the posthumous release “Rock On”, which was well received. It was rumoured that he might replace the recently deceased Roy Orbison in the Travelling Wilburys, but sadly this wasn’t to be. Shannon was suffering from depression and committed suicide at his home in Santa Clarita, CA on February 8, 1990.

Del Shannon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

To mark this anniversary, let’s enjoy Del Shannon at his peak, singing his finest song.

Del Shannon on Hullabaloo (1961) – “Runaway”