The Music of Del Shannon

Del Shannon (Charles Westover) grew up in southwest Michigan, hardly noticed by his classmates.  After a stint overseas with the U.S. Army, he began singing and playing guitar in small music venues back home.  He and a band member hit upon a catchy keyboard riff and from that was born the rock and roll classic, "Runaway."  Shannon went on to write and sing a string of rock hits, including:  Little Town Flirt, Hats Off to Larry, Handy Man, Stranger in Town, and various others.  When his htis began to dry up, he turned to producing other singers and rejuvenating the career of Brian Hyland.  A rock legend, Del Shannon is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  His life ended tragically in his Southern California home.