My mother was very close to Del Shannon (not his real name). My mom passed in 1988. Del Shannon committed suicide a few years later...he was troubled by divorce, etc. I'm glad my mom wasn't alive to know this happened, though he loved her as a friend so dearly, perhaps it might never have happened had she lived. I have a rare tape of him singing a song he wrote & sang at here memorial. Before he sang, he said, "This is for Sweet Betty." I treasure it!
Thank you so much for providing that part of Del’s life especially at that time. I was overwhelmed to hear of his death and it sounded so incongruous with what I considered his amazing achievements - unforgettable songs. I’m sure people my age (77) and many younger are still enamored with Runaway and several other of his songs.
His real name was Charles Westover and that was his name when he started performing at the HI-LO Club in Battle Creek, Mich. There was a kid that would drop in at times to shoot the breeze with the musicians. On a certain occasion he told the guys in the band he was going to be a wrestler. He was going to call himself Mark Shannon and Charles thought to himself, "Shannon what a wonderful name". Just that Charles wasn't going to call himself Mark. Charles saw that his boss drove a Coupe Deville Cadillac and that's where Del came from. That's how the legend was born and the rest is history.
It was caused by a witch-doctor prescribed DRUG. I don't blame Del Shannon either. He contributed so much to this world with his beautiful gift of voice.
My heart really gets strucked, especially each time, when i hear Del Shannon yelling out the haunting notes of the last few bars of the song, as the image in this video slowly fades away, while seeing his handsome poster in the background. What a shame. It's so sad...a big tragic! end in the history of a Rockabilly Legend! ❤❤
It's touching that he trusted my mom, but she kept it pretty much to herself. Celebrities didn't impress her; Del was a loving friend to her; he could've been a janitor or president for all she cared - LOL. She understood alcoholics & that's how she met "Charles." My dad is 33 yrs sober. She was in Al-Anon. The song he sang was "One Day at A Time." He sat on a stool with his guitar & said,"Betty used to tell me, Charles, you must get on with your life...this is for Sweet Betty." Thnx NMAR!
Was 13 when I heard this. I never forgot the phrase "follow the sun" and the way he sung that part. Something about it has lived with me all these years and haunted my memory until now at 68. It still does. Something unnerving and chilling about that song and that phrase. It still stays with me.
Growing up, Del Shannon was the reason I picked up a guitar. His music was amazing, and although my 6-string days are over, I still play air guitar to his music!
God, This is greatest of all time. I get high and play this a million times. Cant sing, but guitar is note for note----- Thank You Dell! I'll miss you.------Tony!
I am 37 and love his music. He had an excellent voice and Runaway is still a masterpiece. Hats of to larry, little Town Flirt, these are strong pop songs!
It was September 12 ,1965 and I was eighteen when I met the girl I loved most in my life at a dancing club. This beautiful song was one of those sounding at the club that day and I´ll never forget it.
Julie hermiz agree with both of you lol , just lovely to see I have fellow Del Fans out there in this big wide world , such comfort , when where gone , do you think these young ones will discover Del ??? I really hope so , because music has ran out of ideas now , theres only 12 notes to write with , I think they will have to go back to the beginning again , great idea I think , get back to real drums , guitars , pianos , old spring reverbs and echo tapes , its all to clean now and over digitally produced unoriginal plastic pompous crap lol , rant over
Del Shannon was in fact the chosen one to replace Roy Orbison in The Travellin' Wilburys but unfortunately ... Shannon shot himself with a shotgun in his own car. The singer was known to not takcle succes very well.
Nils Bjørkelo Yes that was the big rumor. Would've been a decent replacement. But no one can replace the great Roy Orbison! Del would've been fine as a newer member maybe...
@@nilsbjo1 Where do you come up with this stuff?! News flash: there's the Internet where you can get the facts. He shot himself with a .22 rifle in his home. He was suffering from depression, not fear of success.
Mentally ill after years of alcohol problems and a desperation for being famous once again .. The limelight fame, adulation is craved by famous people just like hard drugs that most of them are on
In 1961 Del sang Runaway to me over the phone at the request of my father. I was 14. He was a great artist and a kind man! We will always remember you!
I remember when this song first came out.I still lingers with me after all these years.Never get tired of it.I liked Del Shannon.One of my all time favorites.His songs always bring back fond memories of growing up.When I read of his death,it took something out of me.
Clearly one of the best rock and roll songs of the 20th century! Evil part of suicide is people can get in a mental state were they see no way out. Still shocked by his death 25 years later
His music was like a shock to the system, that electric organ, that voice, that incredible voice, Not sure how old I was when first heard this and his other stuff, kindergarten, maybe, but man, did it get me and stick with me. .
He was one of the best. He was often copied, but no one else could produce the haunting songs this guy produced. Among others, I carried his songs with me while serving in the Marines. It was like having a piece of home.
With songs like this one, Runaway, Hats Off to Larry and Little Town Flirt, Del Shannon made my high school years happy. I loved his music and still do. He also covered a Beatles song "From Me to You" before anyone ever heard of them.
I was in kindergarten when this hit in '65! My sister graduated high school that same year, and our youngest brother was born! I love Del's songs, but this one, "Keep Searching" is still my favorite, I always play it loudly too!
Del, this was my favorite---ive worn out so many sets of strings on on this song!! I love you! So Blessed! I will never forget! See you some day!!! Tony!!
I had the same music publisher for a time and i saw him sitting in the office waiting for a meeting so i walked up to him and shook his hand and thanked him for all the great songs!!
This song is an inspiration! Now of an age when I forget where I put things, I sing the 'searching, searching' bit to put me in a good mood while I look for the object. It works AND it gives my vocal cords a little practice. Oh yes, reminds me of my youth too. Thanks Del Shannon
Del Shannon was a greatly under-rated song write and recorder,by the unknowing public but he had dozens of great songs he gave to others like Brian Hyland, he felt that pain but never that large fan base he had that loved him and that pain led to his killing himself,so very sad a great artist and he felt as if he was a failure,DEL we love and miss.RIP.
del ... i miss your music and i miss that time so many years ago ... time that has just flown by ... those were such good years and you helped make it that way ... rest in peace ..
I agree he had the best falsetto. At the end of the song it reminds me of a howling coyote and I love it. This must be very hard to do. One of the few things that makes Del stand out as an artist.
I met Del Shannon, and he was as nice a guy as you could ever imagine. His masterpiece is the Charles Westover Lp, he recorded in 1967. It is a profound work of art, easily as good as Pet Sounds, or Sargent Pepper. Do yourself a big favor and check it out.
born in 66, lucky to have a sister 10 years older and an uncle who bought everything in the charts 5 years older again, and this was passed to me and uncle passed all the hit singles after a week to sis, and then she played them to me, but she hit the 70's leaving me to grow with a 78 and 45 record player and vinal to kill for, as sis hi
It's one of those songs that has the crowd wondering whether to stand there and clap, or slow dance to. Great song and yes his falsetto voice was one of the best in the business.
Del told me he wrote "Keep Searchin'" during one of his bouts with a bottle, adding, "and it wasn't milk." His entire career was spent under a cloud created by his managers, who signed him to a deal in which THEY got 100% of the rights and royalties from his music FOR LIFE. All Del earned was a SHARE of his live performance fee. Now you undertand the reason for his depression, drinking and eventual suicide -- even though he did manage to finally buy back those rights just before his death.
A great song and example of Del Shannon's falsetto and the way he uses it in the song, in just the right amounts, building to what sounds like an out of this world big long high note at the end, I think about an A5, high soprano territory!, what a voice!
I love you man!. You were the greatest. There will never be another like you. You left us way before your time. I hope God is looking after you. RIP Del, you still are the best.
I was just a kid when he was popular but I remember him and his music. He was over shadowed by the beatles along with everyone else at the time. I was born in 1958 but I remember!
Del Shannon and his music and particularly the song did a great deal to keep me in music. I was 15 years old in 1965 and at that time the song just simply rocked. Of course it's going to sound dated to some, but if you don't like the old music don't listen to it and don't mark itt as disliked. This music is too good for that
He was the first one to combine vocals into the emerging surf sounds that were all previous to his '61 hit Runaway, just instrumentals. I was gaga for his songs and sound. I lived near the Beach Boys before they hit and they would cover lots of Del Shannon in their gigs at the local Women's Club, YWCA and other spots we went to see them.
He was actually one of the 1st American artists to cover a Beatles song. He did a great version of From me to You in 1963 a year prior to the Beatles arrival on these shores.
My mother was very close to Del Shannon (not his real name). My mom passed in 1988. Del Shannon committed suicide a few years later...he was troubled by divorce, etc. I'm glad my mom wasn't alive to know this happened, though he loved her as a friend so dearly, perhaps it might never have happened had she lived. I have a rare tape of him singing a song he wrote & sang at here memorial. Before he sang, he said, "This is for Sweet Betty." I treasure it!
Thankyou for sharing
I'm terribly sorry for your loss
I've always felt Del Shannon had a true heart . His voice was real.
Wow. Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for providing that part of Del’s life especially at that time. I was overwhelmed to hear of his death and it sounded so incongruous with what I considered his amazing achievements - unforgettable songs. I’m sure people my age (77) and many younger are still enamored with Runaway and several other of his songs.
His real name was Charles Westover and that was his name when he started performing at the HI-LO Club in Battle Creek, Mich. There was a kid that would drop in at times to shoot the breeze with the musicians. On a certain occasion he told the guys in the band he was going to be a wrestler. He was going to call himself Mark Shannon and Charles thought to himself, "Shannon what a wonderful name". Just that Charles wasn't going to call himself Mark. Charles saw that his boss drove a Coupe Deville Cadillac and that's where Del came from. That's how the legend was born and the rest is history.
I wouldn't judge Del for taking his life. Depression can do that to people. I love you Del and thank you for the music.
Took the lives of my two older sisters! Tragic disease most don't understand.
It was caused by a witch-doctor prescribed DRUG. I don't blame Del Shannon either. He contributed so much to this world with his beautiful gift of voice.
You can fight depression with the buoyancy of the Holy Spirit in your life.He's a soul lifter.A sufficient replacement for things gone wrong.
Some people think Del was murdered. Like George Reeves of Superman fame-the evidence doesn't add up.
i did suffering very heavy depressions.. it,s very hard!
Del Shannon was one of the greatest singers, song Writers, and guitarist of all time. It's sad that the world will never hear talent like this again.
This guy had one of the most distinctive voices ever... R.I.P Del your music will never be forgotten.
Run Away is the Del Shannon song that is always played, but this hidden gem should not be forgotten.
My heart really gets strucked, especially each time, when i hear Del Shannon yelling out the haunting notes of the last few bars of the song, as the image in this video slowly fades away, while seeing his handsome poster in the background. What a shame. It's so sad...a big tragic! end in the history of a Rockabilly Legend! ❤❤
Del Shannon is vastly underrated.He has someof the best 2-3 minute songs ever.
Del had one of the most distinctive voices of the time. Throw in a Hammond organ with his voice and it haunted the airwaves. Great moody stuff.
It's touching that he trusted my mom, but she kept it pretty much to herself. Celebrities didn't impress her; Del was a loving friend to her; he could've been a janitor or president for all she cared - LOL. She understood alcoholics & that's how she met "Charles." My dad is 33 yrs sober. She was in Al-Anon. The song he sang was "One Day at A Time." He sat on a stool with his guitar & said,"Betty used to tell me, Charles, you must get on with your life...this is for Sweet Betty." Thnx NMAR!
Was 13 when I heard this. I never forgot the phrase "follow the sun" and the way he sung that part. Something about it has lived with me all these years and haunted my memory until now at 68. It still does. Something unnerving and chilling about that song and that phrase. It still stays with me.
67 here.....took me to another place....away from it all
His songs were haunting. I can’t think of another artist from that time period who crafted better songs about teenage angst.
I can only say thanks for giving me the pleasure of hearing Del Shannon´s voice again. It really tears me up. Thanks so much.
Growing up, Del Shannon was the reason I picked up a guitar. His music was amazing, and although my 6-string days are over, I still play air guitar to his music!
God, This is greatest of all time. I get high and play this a million times. Cant sing, but guitar is note for note----- Thank You Dell! I'll miss you.------Tony!
I
I am 37 and love his music. He had an excellent voice and Runaway is still a masterpiece. Hats of to larry, little Town Flirt, these are strong pop songs!
It was September 12 ,1965 and I was eighteen when I met the girl I loved most in my life at a dancing club.
This beautiful song was one of those sounding at the club that day and I´ll never forget it.
Great fan of his music, brilliant songwriter, fantastic guitar player, powerful voice and boy he was handsome
Totally agree brilliant doesn't even do him justice. Sadly now we've got Justin Beiber heaven help us!
Marc Cherry Hahaha you joker, can't stand Justin Bieber's music either 👎🏻
Julie hermiz agree with both of you lol , just lovely to see I have fellow Del Fans out there in this big wide world , such comfort , when where gone , do you think these young ones will discover Del ??? I really hope so , because music has ran out of ideas now , theres only 12 notes to write with , I think they will have to go back to the beginning again , great idea I think , get back to real drums , guitars , pianos , old spring reverbs and echo tapes , its all to clean now and over digitally produced unoriginal plastic pompous crap lol , rant over
Got that right
One of the best songs ever.
Del Shannon is an amazing US Rocker.
Let's all follow the sun..................
The absolutely great Del Shannon. Wonderful songs, played them hundred times....
Del Shannon's music was so good I wish he wouldn't have had the personal problems that consumed his life.
Del hit the best falsetto line I EVER heard at the end of this song. Such an underrated talent.
Del Shannon was in fact the chosen one to replace Roy Orbison in The Travellin' Wilburys but unfortunately ... Shannon shot himself with a shotgun in his own car.
The singer was known to not takcle succes very well.
Nils Bjørkelo Yes that was the big rumor. Would've been a decent replacement. But no one can replace the great Roy Orbison! Del would've been fine as a newer member maybe...
@@nilsbjo1 Where do you come up with this stuff?! News flash: there's the Internet where you can get the facts. He shot himself with a .22 rifle in his home. He was suffering from depression, not fear of success.
Listen to brian wilson in hushabye. Definitely comparable
Mentally ill after years of alcohol problems and a desperation for being famous once again ..
The limelight fame, adulation is craved by famous people just like hard drugs that most of them are on
In 1961 Del sang Runaway to me over the phone at the request of my father. I was 14. He was a great artist and a kind man! We will always remember you!
@lynettewood2380 In this video, Del Shannon looks very handsome dressed in a suit and necktie. Do you agree?
I remember when this song first came out.I still lingers with me after all these years.Never get tired of it.I liked Del Shannon.One of my all time favorites.His songs always bring back fond memories of growing up.When I read of his death,it took something out of me.
Clearly one of the best rock and roll songs of the 20th century! Evil part of suicide is people can get in a mental state were they see no way out. Still shocked by his death 25 years later
His howling at the end of this song echos through the years to this day. Wonderful.
Excellent!!
Del's singing is sensational. But he kicks it up a notch when he nails those unbelievably high notes.
Rock
I loved this song from the first time I heard it, Jukebox Jury, early 1965, great song.
Only Murder's In The Building led me to this man/song. R.I.P Del Shannon
Me to this night I watched the very episode but 2,yrs later than you
this is such a good song. it really is perfect
He was so great one of the best singers around not to mention songwriter. We lost a wonderful talent when he died . He is missed .
Fabulous voice, and great song.
Rest In Peace Del.
Thanks,
My favorite Del Shannon song-gone too soon but never forgotten RIP
One of the most underrated songs ever!!
His music was like a shock to the system, that electric organ, that voice, that incredible voice, Not sure how old I was when first heard this and his other stuff, kindergarten, maybe, but man, did it get me and stick with me. .
I love this song RIP Del Shannon
A fantastic singer who had some really great hits. I still listen to his recordings! He left us far too early. RIP.
"Runaway", "Little Town Flirt", "Keep Searchin'" all timeless pop classics.
Charles Westover (AKA Del Shannon) = LEGEND
Those were the days of real music ...
What a singer has been very badly missed R.I.P Del
He was one of the best. He was often copied, but no one else could produce the haunting songs this guy produced. Among others, I carried his songs with me while serving in the Marines. It was like having a piece of home.
With songs like this one, Runaway, Hats Off to Larry and Little Town Flirt, Del Shannon made my high school years happy. I loved his music and still do. He also covered a Beatles song "From Me to You" before anyone ever heard of them.
I was in kindergarten when this hit in '65! My sister graduated high school that same year, and our youngest brother was born! I love Del's songs, but this one, "Keep Searching" is still my favorite, I always play it loudly too!
im 63 and del shannon was a great favourite of mine, gone but he was a great so he will never be forgotten.
Nonetheless, Del Shannon was a truly great performer with a singing and style all his own.. still unmatched to this day.
Del, this was my favorite---ive worn out so many sets of strings on on this song!! I love you! So Blessed! I will never forget! See you some day!!! Tony!!
I had the same music publisher for a time and i saw him sitting in the office waiting for a meeting so i walked up to him and shook his hand and thanked him for all the great songs!!
This song is an inspiration! Now of an age when I forget where I put things, I sing the 'searching, searching' bit to put me in a good mood while I look for the object. It works AND it gives my vocal cords a little practice. Oh yes, reminds me of my youth too. Thanks Del Shannon
Del Shannon was a greatly under-rated song write and recorder,by the unknowing public but he had dozens of great songs he gave to others like Brian Hyland, he felt that pain but never that large fan base he had that loved him and that pain led to his killing himself,so very sad a great artist and he felt as if he was a failure,DEL we love and miss.RIP.
Thanks for recognising love of music and fun
I'll always "keep searchin" for Del Shannon.... a tremendous talent .. and such a tragic figure...
+Jerry Ashlock I wonder if anyone really understands depression....
This song is really amazing.
One of Del Shannon's best hits ever. Del Shannon (1939-1990) was big in the early to mid-1960s.
del ... i miss your music and i miss that time so many years ago ... time that has just flown by ... those were such good years and you helped make it that way ... rest in peace ..
Del leaves the pretenders behind with that killer falsetto to close out this masterpiece
I agree he had the best falsetto. At the end of the song it reminds me of a howling coyote and I love it. This must be very hard to do. One of the few things that makes Del stand out as an artist.
brickclimber I guess the best falsetto voice at that time was Frankie Valli's
It's all a matter of preference
I'd have to say Jay Black, Cara Mia'
Like a sharber Brian Wilson
i remember my sister brought "runaway" and "keep searching" back to vienna from her holiday in england - never to be forgotten, i still play it today.
I met Del Shannon, and he was as nice a guy as you could ever imagine. His masterpiece is the Charles Westover Lp, he recorded in 1967. It is a profound work of art, easily as good as Pet Sounds, or Sargent Pepper. Do yourself a big favor and check it out.
A great song sung by a great artist still sounds great 55 years on. Del Shannon RIP
saw del in person when he came to the u.k his swiss maid was always my fav.but cant ever seem to find it but have it on a 45 regards.
I`m still searchin....thanks for a great time in my life Majsan!!
born in 66, lucky to have a sister 10 years older and an uncle who bought everything in the charts 5 years older again, and this was passed to me and uncle passed all the hit singles after a week to sis, and then she played them to me, but she hit the 70's leaving me to grow with a 78 and 45 record player and vinal to kill for, as sis hi
One of my favorite songs of all time! Thanks
It's so awesome to see all those good lookin young couples dressed up so nicely, listening to REAL music... :) R.I.P
was still 4 yrs old then....always heard this song on our small battery operated transistor radio..... Phillipines
What can I say Del is a true original so sad he fell victim to depression I loved him
I'm 36 always been a fan of Del I miss him so dearly and understand the pain he was in when he passed.I miss you Del ever so much:(
I am so saddened by his death and that he was so unhappy. I really enjoy his music, he was very gifted. 😢💔🌹
this was the first presant of my first love, I´ll never forget!!!
I love his music so much, he was very handsome , i don't understand what makes him to take his own life
Iris Ortiz Depression.
depression will take your own life
I miss you so much!!!!!!!I--I play and sing all your songs--Your truly missed! Thanks for ever.--Tony
He wa so much a part of my teen years and more. A rare talent for sure*
It's one of those songs that has the crowd wondering whether to stand there and clap, or slow dance to. Great song and yes his falsetto voice was one of the best in the business.
Dear Del Shannon--we miss you!! thankyou for sharing this video with us
Del told me he wrote "Keep Searchin'" during one of his bouts with a bottle, adding, "and it wasn't milk." His entire career was spent under a cloud created by his managers, who signed him to a deal in which THEY got 100% of the rights and royalties from his music FOR LIFE. All Del earned was a SHARE of his live performance fee. Now you undertand the reason for his depression, drinking and eventual suicide -- even though he did manage to finally buy back those rights just before his death.
A great song and example of Del Shannon's falsetto and the way he uses it in the song, in just the right amounts, building to what sounds like an out of this world big long high note at the end, I think about an A5, high soprano territory!, what a voice!
wow!!! he was the best, just with this song. I remember my youth!!!
All those flash hair style s
+Robin Baker Really!
One of the great songs of a magic era
The only problem with this song is it isn't longer. Thank god for the repeat button
I remember this and other Del Shannon hits. Such a tragedy he's not still with us.
I love you man!. You were the greatest. There will never be another like you. You left us way before your time. I hope God is looking after you. RIP Del, you still are the best.
What a great performer!
I was just a kid when he was popular but I remember him and his music. He was over shadowed by the beatles along with everyone else at the time. I was born in 1958 but I remember!
Outstanding voice.
Del Shannon and his music and particularly the song did a great deal to keep me in music. I was 15 years old in 1965 and at that time the song just simply rocked. Of course it's going to sound dated to some, but if you don't like the old music don't listen to it and don't mark itt as disliked. This music is too good for that
He was the first one to combine vocals into the emerging surf sounds that were all previous to his '61 hit Runaway, just instrumentals. I was gaga for his songs and sound. I lived near the Beach Boys before they hit and they would cover lots of Del Shannon in their gigs at the local Women's Club, YWCA and other spots we went to see them.
This was REAL MUSIC.
Yes
I didn't know this song existed. All I ever could find was Runaway and I always wondered why there were no others!
Thank you!
Christie B I guess you just needed to....Keep Searchin, Searchin! LOL sorry couldn't resist :P
hahaha yep
David Shreeves depression
Well, because they apparently all ran away....
Killer song! Sixties forever!
One of Dels' best! Try hitting those last notes, it'll tear your throat apart!
I miss u so much Del,strugglin badly myself want to join u Del.
1990/took his own life away.........God bless his soul, may he rock up in heaven with his rockability friends and all
The very end of this song is incredible. Talk about vocal range. Frankie Valee and Lou Christie and Del would make quite a group.
I repeat, love this song when I'm searching ... at 70+ (my memories: my specs???)
An era , so lucky to have been around !
There won't be another one like him.
Q maravillosa canción ,un tremendo cantante con una voz cautivadora .....Adoro a Del Shannon :)
27 years ago ..
;( we lost him..
I Definitely love this song alot❤❤❤❤😊 Some reason every time I hear this song I cry 😢 along things and people flashing in my mind
Del is great. Lou is too. Saw him in concert last year and he sounds and looks great!
Lou is magnificent still
Del Shannon is my favorite singer! I agree with bunnyborg: What a voice! Rest in Peace!
He was actually one of the 1st American artists to cover a Beatles song. He did a great version of From me to You in 1963 a year prior to the Beatles arrival on these shores.
Keep on searching for those great oldies.