Del Shannon

Del Shannon (December 30, 1934 - February 8, 1990) was an American rock and roller who launched into fame with the huge hit "Runaway" (1961), which he followed up with "Hats Off to Larry", another big hit. After these hits, Shannon was unable to keep his momentum in the US, but became a sensation in England. In 1963, he became the first American artist to record a cover of a Beatles song with "From Me to You".

In the late 1960s, Shannon's career slowed down greatly, and he wasn't able to return to mainstream audiences until "Sea of Love" in the early 1980s (from an album produced by Tom Petty). While working on a comeback album with Jeff Lynne, Shannon committed suicide in 1990.

On February 8, 1990, he shot himself in the head with a .22 caliber rifle. His wife thought his death might have been related to his recent use of the prescription drug Prozac.