Del Shannon

Del Shannon (December 30, 1934 – February 8, 1990) was an American rock and roll singer and musician born Charles Westover. He rose to international fame with his debut single 'Runaway' in 1961, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most iconic songs of the early rock and roll era. The song's distinctive use of the Moog synthesizer and Shannon's distinctive vocal delivery made it a revolutionary recording for its time. Beyond 'Runaway,' Shannon had a successful recording career with numerous chart hits including 'Hats Off to Larry' and 'Keep Searching (We'll Follow the Sun).' He was known for his energetic stage presence and his ability to bridge the gap between early rock and roll and the emerging British invasion sound. Shannon remained an active performer throughout his life, delighting audiences with his classic hits at rock and roll revival shows and maintaining his status as a nostalgia act well into the 1980s.