Shannon Recalled

Unfortunately, in real life rock singer Del Shannon couldn’t “Runaway” from his problems, which included periodic bouts of depression, alcoholism, perpetual lawsuits over his share of royalties, missed opportunities, loneliness, a broken first marriage and a lifelong inability to accept the cold and cruel fact that fame is fleeting.

However, in spite of his problems, Shannon remains a rock ‘n’ roll legend. He was not only a great singer with an impressive string of hits (“Runaway,” “Hats Off to Larry,” “Little Town Flirt,” “Keep Searchin’ (We’ll Follow the Sun)”), but one of the few early rockers to write his own material.

His success in the early 1960s kept rock ‘n’ roll alive at a time when its popularity was beginning to wane. He will indeed be missed.

KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN, Cypress