Although he was an American singer, his songs hit the UK with a bang in the early '60's. I used to sit by the juke box in the pub, just feeding money in to play his music -mainly 'Runaway'.
I blubbered like a baby when I heard he had shot his own brains out.
I am now playing his music to a third generation, and they all think he is great. If you have not heard him, look him up.
But why did he commit suicide when he was so popular?
2007-04-30 18:29:35 · 19 answers · asked by Bunts 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
My nostalgic memories of Runaway would be taking me back to the "Waltzer" and "Dodgems" where,in my younger days it was regularly played.
My favourite,and it's a hard to decide between "answer to enerything' 'Kelly' or 'Hat's off to Larry' would probably be..Hats off.just because.again.it brings back memories of my favourite coffee bar.
One rumour going round at the time of his death,was,that he couldn't cope with the loss of success. Guess we'll never know
2007-04-30 19:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by keeprockin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw him, at Newcastle City Hall, in 1961, when he was support act to Jerry Lee Lewis - The was Jerry Lee's comeback Tour - after he was boo'd off the stage (of the Necastle Odeon - I was there for that as well) a couple of years earlier. In those days Support Acts only did about 3 songs - typically: The last hit; the current hit and the latest release.
2007-04-30 19:58:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember the song Runaway..its one of my all time fave songs. Fame comes at a price and i guess Del Shannons suicide proves this.
2007-04-30 21:38:12 · answer #3 · answered by pinkkittenliverpool 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Del Shannon was one of the greats. Tom Petty mentions him in his song, Runnin' Down A Dream.
I understand he suffered from clinical depression pretty badly, and it's been said that Prozac had something to do with it.
It was a tragic loss,'cause he was planning on joining the
Travelling Wilburys for their second LP.
2007-04-30 20:11:04 · answer #4 · answered by charliecizarny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love Del Shannon! I have his picture from a magazine with his dates saying "Charles Westover aka DEL SHANNON 1934-1990" taped to my desk in my office. The article said he suffered from depression for which he took prozac--apparantly a rare side effect of the drug is suicidal behavior which caused him to use his .22 cal rifle on himself.
Country singer Gary Allan did a really good cover of runaway on his album "Smoke Rings In The Dark" if youre interested.
2007-04-30 18:42:54 · answer #5 · answered by CNSA872 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I do remember Del Shannon and 'Runaway'. Did not know he had committed suicide! Sorry to hear that.
2007-04-30 19:07:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Runaway" is on my songlist, and I'm still enjoying it after all these years! It was also the theme song to a TV series a few years back called "Police Story" starred Dennis Farina.
Don't know why he committed suicide, but it's a great loss, still.
:)
2007-04-30 18:48:38 · answer #7 · answered by Ouija 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah brill , Runaway was played 24 - 7 in all the coffee bars where i grew up , who knows why on the suicide thing but he obviously had his own reasons , shame !!
2007-04-30 18:39:33 · answer #8 · answered by nicemanvery 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My favourite track was Garden Party , absolute class.
Lots of Del Shannon Stuff well worth a listen
http://www.songofthesalesman.co.uk/freemp3.aspx?paa=De
2007-04-30 20:42:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Del Shannon killed himself on Feb 8th, 1990. The reason for his suicide remains unknown but he was on the anti-depressant drug Prozac at the time. His wife sued the drug manufacturer claiming the drug contributed to his suicide.
At the time, he was financially secure. He was survived by his 2nd wife, Beverly LeAnne Gutierrz and 3 grown children by his 1st wife, Shirley..
2007-04-30 18:49:13 · answer #10 · answered by shaboom2k 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋