Keystone Series - Del Shannon

[TVCaster]

Del Shannon had a huge hit in 1961 with the song “Runaway.” Unfortunately the momentum form his early success did not continue. He did have several charted songs in England during the early 1960’s and was the first American to record a cover version of a song by the Beatles.

In 1981 he released a superb album called “Drop Down and Get Me.” which was produced by Tom Petty. Most of the Heartbreakers played on that album, and on bass was future Heartbreaker, Howie Epstein.

These photos were taken in December 1981 at the Keystone in Palo Alto, CA.

Del Shannon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, nine years after his death.

 

[TVCaster]

Del Shannon - Part II

 

[Dreadnut]

He grew up in a small town close to here, Coopersville, Michigan. They still hold an annual Del Shannon Fest.

He was huge back in the day - he opened for Elvis, and The Beatles.

A guy in my band sings "Hats Off To Larry," and "Runaway."

 

[RodeoTex]

The issue of Del Shannon, Howie and Tom Petty has always had me curious.

 

[Stringbanger]

Del Shannon was very talented, but the part I have trouble with is that he took his own life. I think that that is a selfish act, but I sort of understand, I think...
The bad part is that you cheat your loved ones. That’s all I can say...

 

[VWAmTele]

Been playing that song all my life - middle break (organ) also lays out great for lead guitar.

 

[TVCaster]

Sandwiched between some local bands, I found a few more frames of Del Shannon from a roll of black and white film.

I purposely did not mention the passing of either Mr. Shannon or Mr. Epstein nor their connection to Tom Petty. Suffice it to say that despite their talents, success and modicum of fame, their lives were troubled. The great things about photos is what they reveal. These photos show two artists at different trajectories of their lives and careers. But they also reveal the fun, passionate and artistic side of rock and roll.

Now enjoy the pictures and the times they represent. Peace.

 

[Dreadnut]

Del finally succumbed to his inner demons; he had suffered from depression for years.

 

[Bassman8]

The man certainly had good taste in guitars, at least in 1981.

 

[koen]

One big single and a late career album, and then in the HoF. That’s pretty impressive.

 

[That Cal Webway]

Sometime before he died he made an appearance on the David Letterman show.

He did Runaway and definitely hit those high notes still.
Did an excellent job and the audience just loved him.

r.i.p.

 

[TVCaster]

...and here is the Letterman clip.



Note that one of the contestants performed "Runaway" on The Voice last night. Granted the performance was missing the cool keyboard part. The song still has legs!

 

[ZackyDog]

Del with his double-pickguard Gibson ES35:

 

[chulaivet1966]

Del Shannon had a huge hit in 1961 with the song “Runaway.” Unfortunately the momentum form his early success did not continue. He did have several charted songs in England during the early 1960’s and was the first American to record a cover version of a song by the Beatles.

In 1981 he released a superb album called “Drop Down and Get Me.” which was produced by Tom Petty. Most of the Heartbreakers played on that album, and on bass was future Heartbreaker, Howie Epstein.

These photos were taken in December 1981 at the Keystone in Palo Alto, CA.

Del Shannon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, nine years after his death.

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Howdy TV....

Great pics.

I learned Runaway decades ago but haven't revisited it since.
Very tragic about his EOL decision due to his (from what I've read) depression and alcoholism issues.

Our band (Ambush) played on that stage back in '77.
I can hardly believe that was almost 50 years ago.
(Until, that is, I make the error looking in the mirror)

Carry on.

 

[Toto'sDad]

Del Shannon was very talented, but the part I have trouble with is that he took his own life. I think that that is a selfish act, but I sort of understand, I think...
The bad part is that you cheat your loved ones. That’s all I can say...

The young man who taught me to drive when I was eleven years old committed suicide when he was just twenty-years old. He left behind a family who never recovered from his death.

The hard part to understand was he was a working musician. A good friend to Dallas Frazier who among others wrote El Vira and Alley Oop. His brother passed a couple of years ago, but he could not talk about his brother at all after more than fifty years had passed since his passing.

A few years ago, I went up to the cemetery where my old friend is buried. I had to go to the chapel to get directions, and he wasn't where they said he was, but I got close enough that I found his grave. My mind drifted back to that morning years ago when he showed up at my house with an old '40 Ford coupe, a pillow for me to sit on, and said, c'mon TD, I'm gonna teach you to drive.

Man, I think of all the things that could have been if he just hadn't done the deed that he did.