The Life and Death of Del Shannon

The late, great, Del Shannon.
#delshannon

[sheilahammond]

I loved "Runaway". I never knew he died that way . How tragic! RIP Del.

[Harpdashian]

I discovered Del Shannon aged 14 in 2016. I listened to his music constantly, my mother then told me he was the favourite singer of my Grandfather (who also committed suicide, before I was born).

Del has one of the best voices in rock history, and listening to any of his albums proves that he was so much more than Runaway. The idea that he may have died thinking he was a failure is heartbreaking. I will listen to him until the day I die.

Rock on Del!

[wayne]

I learned a lot about the end. I broke down and just started crying now. He was my most all time favorite singer. When I heared he committed suicide in 1990 as Prozac might have been the cause it broke my heart. Dale has always been a legend to me as I was born in late 1961 and I always loved the old music. My 1st LP that I purchased was Dales Shannon's Greatest Hits back in1978 in a record store. That Christmas his L P. 1978, 1979, 1989 kept me together. You cannot ever give up. I miss you man miss you a lot.

[smokefast]

Man he left behind one of the most iconic era defining music

[brookebenton]

I've been listening to Del since I can remember. I grew up listening to an oldies station in the early 80's. KLDZ FM out of NE. His music was always magical to me💖

[oskorei]

i remember being a kid and hearing Runaway on an old 45 my grandma had. God, I must have listened to that song 100 times in a row. It's absolutely perfect.

[thegatesofdawn...]

Oh, how tragic! He had great songs 😢

[ourhome]

Thank for this mice tribute to a fine musician. Such a sad life.

[jamesheath]

One of my favourite artists rest in peace

[paavoviuhko]

One of the greats. Beatles loved him. I love him too. He is one of the monuments of the movement.

[mangrove]

1967's "The Further Adventures of Charles Westover" is now considered one of the best Baroque Pop albums of the era.

[aarenmyatt]

One of my favorite musicians and time in music.
Del Shannon was a vibe tricky to put into one genre. Rock and Roll sure, with a touch of melancholy. The use of minor chords and early synth and falsetto gave his music a dramatic and haunting edge. Powerful emotion and story telling that made his songs unforgettable.
You could call it melancholy pop rock or early heartland rock. The use of the sounds and melodies were cutting edge for the time that created a tension that tugged on your emotions like nothing else. He was awesome. I love that era of music and I think Del Shannon done it the best.

[David-uooc]

I've just been listening this morning to school kids singing 'runaway'
next to my apartment in Thailand.however they sang the first verse over and over again.but it sounded good.i remember Del Shannon appearing on Australian tv'hey hey its Saturday ' just before he died.

[isaiah]

Del Shannon was definitely a victim of the times. Had his career started a a decade earlier. He would've been huge. By the time he blew up music hopped on a much faster train. And music changed rapidly. Much like those at the end of the 80s. Where the hair era of rock was about to be blown out of the sky. By grunge and metal bands that made Metallica sound like the beach boys. You can see this happen in, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. Many bands trying to catch a ride to fame, some promising. But many would be left behind and forgotten. As they wouldn't have stood a chance anyway. If you hadn't made it by 85' it was too late.

[claudinedemantet]

How sad, i discovered him through my mother about the age of 10. I didn't know he ended his life like that. Although he was before my time, i loved his music growing up, and people always said Runaway was my theme song as I did a lot of running away as a youngster. I still have some original singles from the old record shop in my town, that i got when i was about 16, one was 'Little town flirt'. Thanks for sharing. RIP DEL SHANNON 🙏 ❤😢

[salinagrrrl]

"RUNAWAY" was on the "AMERICAN GRAFFITI" soundtrack. The lyrics are very simple as well as the arrangement. It waa noted for being an early use of electric keyboard in pop.

[ROY-COLLEY]

Seen him live many years ago back in the 70s here in Cardiff South Wales. He was fantastic .Hats of to Larry ..

[trinitygomez]

He had a beautiful voice ❤ All his songs are great hits. Very classy gentlemen.I absolutely love him❤❤

[ChristopherTeague-csvg]

❤ I remember this song from my childhood, all the music was great. If memory serves, this song is on Las Vegas Strip or something. Del had a Great voice. You can feel the energy in his singing. Gone but never forgotten 🎙️🎸😎❤

[rayamaro]

Highly talented and gifted singer/songwriter, Runaway is a great song. May he rest in peace and find comfort, Love and serenity with the Lord. 🕊️❤️🙏