Del Shannon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Del Shannon
Shannon in 1965
Background information
Birth name	Charles Weedon Westover
Born	(1934-12-30)December 30, 1934 Coopersville, Michigan, U.S.
Died	February 8, 1990(1990-02-08) (aged 55) Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
Genres	Rock and roll country
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1958–1989
Labels	Bigtop Network London Twirl Berlee Amy Liberty Dunhill United Artists Island Elektra Silvertone

Charles Weedon Westover (born December 30, 1934 – died February 8, 1990), known to the world as Del Shannon, was a famous American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best remembered for his huge hit song "Runaway" in 1961, which reached number one on the Billboard music chart. Del Shannon was honored for his contributions to music when he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

About Del Shannon

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Del Shannon was born Charles Weedon Westover in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He grew up in a nearby town called Coopersville. From a young age, he loved music and learned to play the ukulele and guitar. He enjoyed listening to country-and-western music artists like Hank Williams.

In 1954, Charles joined the Army. While he was stationed in Germany, he played guitar in a band called The Cool Flames. After his time in the Army, he returned to Michigan and worked different jobs, like selling carpets and driving trucks. He also played guitar part-time in a band called The Moonlight Ramblers.

Becoming Del Shannon and Finding Success

In 1958, Charles took over as the leader and singer of his band. He decided to call himself Charlie Johnson and renamed the band the Big Little Show Band. In 1959, he added a talented keyboard player named Max Crook. Max had invented his own early synthesizer, which he called a Musitron.

Max Crook helped the band get noticed by a disc jockey named Ollie McLaughlin. Ollie then introduced them to music producers in Detroit. In 1960, Charles Westover and Max Crook signed a record deal. The producers suggested Charles use a new stage name. They came up with "Del Shannon," combining the name Mark Shannon (from a local wrestler) with "Del," inspired by the Cadillac Coupe de Ville car.

Del Shannon's first recording sessions were not very successful. But then, Ollie McLaughlin encouraged Shannon and Crook to rework an older song they had, originally called "Little Runaway." They used Max's special Musitron instrument for the main melody. On January 21, 1961, they recorded "Runaway." The song was released in February 1961 and quickly became a number one hit in April!

After "Runaway," Del Shannon had another hit song called "Hats Off to Larry" in 1961, which reached number 5 on the Billboard chart. Both "Runaway" and "Hats Off to Larry" were recorded in just one day.

New Record Labels and More Hits

By 1963, Del Shannon decided to start his own record label called Berlee Records, named after his parents. He continued to have success with songs like "Handy Man" and "Do You Wanna Dance?" He also released his own original songs, "Keep Searchin'" and "Stranger in Town."

In 1964, Del Shannon helped a young musician named Bob Seger get started in the music business by giving his demo recordings to a famous TV host, Dick Clark. This helped Bob Seger eventually sign with a major record label. Del Shannon also released an album called Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams, paying tribute to one of his favorite country music artists.

In 1966, Del Shannon signed with Liberty Records. He recorded new versions of songs like "The Big Hurt" and "Under My Thumb." He also wrote the song "I Go to Pieces", which became a hit for the group Peter and Gordon in 1965.

In 1967, he recorded an album called The Further Adventures of Charles Westover, which many fans and critics really liked. In 1972, he signed with United Artists Records and released a live album called Live in England.

Later Career and Collaborations

Del Shannon's music career slowed down a bit in the 1970s. However, he made a fresh start and in 1982, he released the album Drop Down and Get Me. This album was produced by the famous musician Tom Petty and featured Petty's band, the Heartbreakers. The album included some of Shannon's own songs and covers of songs by other artists like the Everly Brothers and the Rolling Stones.

In the 1980s, Del Shannon's popularity grew again when he re-recorded "Runaway" with new lyrics. This new version became the theme song for the NBC-TV show Crime Story. In 1988, he sang on the Smithereens' album Green Thoughts. He also worked with Jeff Lynne from the Electric Light Orchestra and there were even rumors that he might join the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys after Roy Orbison passed away.

Legacy

Del Shannon Memorial in Coopersville, Michigan

Del Shannon passed away at his home in Santa Clarita, California, on February 8, 1990.

After his death, the Traveling Wilburys honored him by recording their own version of "Runaway." Jeff Lynne also helped produce Del Shannon's album Rock On, which was released after his death in 1991.

Del Shannon's musical talent and influence were recognized when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. He was also added to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2005.

To remember him, a Del Shannon Memorial Scholarship Fund was created. Also, his hometown of Coopersville, Michigan, holds an annual Del Shannon Car Show to celebrate his life and music.

Discography

• Runaway with Del Shannon (June 1961)
• Hats Off to Del Shannon (December 1962) – not issued in US. UK, New Zealand and Australia only
• Little Town Flirt (June 1963) (US #12)
• Handy Man (October 1964)
• Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams (February 1965)
• 1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon (April 1965)
• This Is My Bag (July 1966)
• Total Commitment (October 1966)
• The Further Adventures of Charles Westover (March 1968)
• Live in England (June 1973)
• ...And the Music Plays On (1978)
• Drop Down and Get Me (October 1981) (US #123)
• Rock On! (October 1991)
• Home and Away (recorded in 1967, released in 2006)
• The Dublin Sessions (recorded in 1977, released in July 2017)

Singles

• ^APeaked at number 56 on Hot Country Songs

See also

In Spanish: Del Shannon para niños