Del Shannon

Birth Name:
Charles Weedon Westover
Birth Date:
December 30, 1934
Birth Place:
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Death Date:
February 8, 1990
Place of Death:
15519 Saddleback Road, Canyon Country, California
Age:
55
Cause of Death:
Self-inflicted gunshot wound
Cemetery Name:
Cremated
Claim to Fame:
Music
His heyday as a chart-friendly star in the U.S. may have been brief, but on the strength of his biggest hit "Runaway" Del Shannon deserves to be regarded as a rock and roll legend. In 1999 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Cremated

, ,

North America

Grave Location:

Ashes scattered in the California desert

Photos:

[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]

Read More About Del Shannon:

Videos Featuring Del Shannon:

See More:

Dimebag Darrell

popular name: Dimebag Darrell

date_of_death: December 8, 2004

age: 38

cause_of_death: Multiple gunshot wounds to the head

claim_to_fame: Music

best_know_for: As the cofounder with his brother Vinnie of Pantera and Damageplan, Dimebag Darrell was not only one of the most influential heavy metal guitarist but considered one of the greatest guitarist of modern times. Sadly his fame extended to his brutal death while performing onstage at the Alrosa Villa Nightclub in Columbus, Ohio.

Johnny Ace

popular name: Johnny Ace

date_of_death: December 25, 1954

age: 25

cause_of_death: Accidental gunshot to the head

claim_to_fame: Music

best_know_for: A popular R&B singer with a string of eight hits in a row including "Cross My Heart" and "Please Forgive Me", he blew his brains out on Christmas Day between sets after telling everyone ‘It’s okay! Gun’s not loaded… see?’ Interestingly enough, "Pledging My Love" was a posthumous R&B number 1 hit for 10 weeks beginning February 12, 1955, thus Johnny Ace became the first artist to reach the Billboard pop charts only after death.

Sam Cooke

popular name: Sam Cooke

date_of_death: December 11, 1964

age: 33

cause_of_death: Homicide - gunshot wounds

claim_to_fame: Music

best_know_for: Sam Cooke's intonation was exquisitely exact. His command of pitch and texture were flawless. His skills as a vocalist were - and remain over sixty years since his untimely death - unsurpassed by the vocal royalty of his day. Neither Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin or Ray Charles could reach his status as a stylist and vocalist of widespread, enduring influence. Yet Sam Cooke - producer, songwriter, performer, label owner and supreme architect of gospel-pop crossover - will forever be remembered with a tinge of sadness and mystery.

Back to Top