SOUTHLAND : ‘60s Rocker Del Shannon, 55, Apparently Commits Suicide

Del Shannon, whose distinctive falsetto style on such rock classics as “Runaway” and “Keep Searchin’ ” pushed him to the top of the charts in the 1960s, was found dead in his Santa Clarita home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said today. He was 55.

Shannon’s wife, Bonnie, found her singer-songwriter husband’s body at about 11:25 p.m. Thursday with a bullet wound to the head, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Roger Hom. A .22-caliber rifle was found next to Shannon’s body in the den.

Shannon was born Charles Westover in Grand Rapids, Mich.

His first and biggest hit was “Runaway.” The single made No. 1 on the charts in early 1961. His other Top 20 singles included “Hats Off to Larry,” “Little Town Flirt” and “Keep Searchin’.”

Shannon’s popularity declined in the mid-1960s, but English duo Peter and Gordon gained success with his “I Go to Pieces.”

In 1986, television producer Michael Mann had Shannon re-record “Runaway” with new lyrics for the series “Crime Story.”