Charles Weedon Westover, known professionally as Del Shannon, was born on December 30, 1934, in Coopersville, Michigan. He was an American musician, singer, and songwriter renowned for his 1961 number-one Billboard hit "Runaway." Shannon's music career began after his military service, during which he played guitar in a band called the Cool Flames while stationed in Germany. Upon returning to Michigan, he worked various jobs while playing part-time in local bands.

In 1959, he took over leadership of a band, renaming it the Big Little Show Band, and adopted the stage name Del Shannon. His breakthrough came with the release of "Runaway," which showcased the Musitron, an early synthesizer. This song's success was followed by hits like "Hats Off to Larry." Shannon experienced tensions with his record label Bigtop, leading him to establish his own label, Berlee Records, in 1963.

Throughout his career, Shannon was associated with several record labels, including Liberty, United Artists, and Island Records. He continued to record and perform until his death on February 8, 1990, in Santa Clarita, California. Shannon's legacy was cemented with his posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.