British guitarist analyses Del Shannon live in 1973! 

Such a great song! So great that Tom Petty gave it a shout out in “Running Down a Dream”!

One of the best singers of his time. His song "Searchin Follow the Sun" is my favorite. I was 8 when he started, 11 when he was huge. Still love him to this day

Del-Beatles fun fact: First Lennon-McCartney song ever played in America wasn't by the Beatles - it was Del Shannon's cover of From Me To You.

As much as I love the original, this version is great too, so sad he could not escape from the horrible darkness of depression , thanks for sharing Fil ❤️

Thank you for info on Del Shannon. I loved this song as a kid, but knew nothing about the man. He would have been wonderful in the Traveling Wilbury’s. Thanks so much!

When someone ask me, Who was your favorite person that got you to like Rock and Roll. The answer I give them is Del Shannon. He was my favorite. And Runaway will always be one of my favorite song. When I first pick up a guitar. Runaway was the first song I learned. I still remember the day that I got the news about the passing of Del. I was driving home and heard it on the radio. I had to pull over and I started to cry. I just love Del and his music. Thank you Fil for this video. Keep it up.

Thanks for the history of Del Shannon. Fil, you always explain the history behind the music and I love watching your channel.

This song has been around FOREVER and it's such a fun and catchy song and that's WHY WHY WHY WHY I love it so! 👏👏👏👏👏

Deal's follow-up " Hats off to Larry" was a great song as well

THIS IS AN EARLY SONG THAT TOOK ME 3MONTHS TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY , THEN IT CLICKED , IWAS YOUNG THEN , NOW IM OLD , BUT THAT SONG NEVER DIES , THANKS FIL CHECK OUT BROKEN PROMISES BY DEL , HE WAS ALSO TAPPED TO REPLACE ROY ON THE TRAVELING WIBURYS RIP DEL

My mom loved this man. She sang this song a lot. Brings back so many good memories! Thanks Fil.

I like to put Fil's vids up on my big screen, then sit cross-legged on the floor to the right of the screen. That way I can look up at him and smile as he looks down at me, smiling. We just smile at each other. It makes me feel warm inside.

Del toured and toured and toured. Never was off the road. He was bigger in England as time went on than the US. Del had an edge and attitude to his vocal. You are right the vocal is different in the studio than the live version. I had the impression Del was an intense guy. Love Del!

This is twelve years after his 1961 hit. He still sounds great!

Hi Fil! I love it that you go back to my teen years! I actually met Del’s wife at a seminar we attended together! It was after his death by suicide, and she was dealing with the tragedy. His wife told me he was planning to return to the public when he died. So sad....enjoy your Sunday, and again thanks for this one!

Thanks Fil! There is a concert on YT called Del Shannon Live in Sydney. Recorded in 1989 and he sounds fantastic. I recommend fans to go there and watch this!

Tom Petty, "Me and Del were singing Little Runaway, I was flying". Running Down A Dream. Wow, He sounded good here.

I had the great pleasure of touring with Del I was guitarist in his backing band first tour was in 1971 then again in 72 when we recorded Live in England album with him finally we toured with Del again in 1975. Del was fabulous guy and had the most amazing voice his falsetto was so good most powerful I've heard and even on the arduous touring schedules we did his falsetto never faltered, such a tragedy that Del is no longer with us a wonderful unique artist.

This brings back memories of back in the day. I love how Fil tells all the unknown things about the content. I'm going crossedeyd trying to watch Fil and the subject at the same time. Lol.

Always enjoy your segments. Had a friend who saw Del Shannon play a show in Kansas, mid to late 80's (in a fairly small town). He said Del Shannon was one of the best performers he'd ever seen.

Another great analysis video, thanks Fil......

Excellent analysis, Fil. You always do your homework and teach me things I didn't know. TY!

Again Phil an excellent account of a wonderful musician in Del Shannon. Very sad ending to a fine man. Humble and an interesting man. Done so much for RnR.

He was SO talented! I was a senior in high school when this song hit the airwaves. A few years later, while I was still in the Navy, our ship was in the Med, and had a port of call in Barcelona, Spain. While ashore on liberty I was looking through a magazine, and read where Del was barely 5 feet tall. A whole bunch of talent flowed out of such a small dude! Prince was also small in stature, and look what he created! Great review, yet again, Fil! Cheers, mate! :)

I remember when this came out and all of us lads killing ourselves trying to sing falsetto.. never could. Once again thanks Fil.

One of my first favorite songs growing up (I was 10'ish at the time). Thanks Fil for the retro-memory and of course the analysis.

Great review Fil. The late 50,s ,60,s and 70,s have produced what we can now call real handmade music played by real musicians. They were like blessings in the music industry. I remember when all these songs came out.

Thanks for explaining about them speeding up the recording in the studio. If that was done on "Keep Searchin'", it might explain why I've been able to hit the high notes at the end only a couple of times in my life while singing along with it.

Del Shannon. That's a name from the past for sure. It amazes me how you come up with all these varied artists. Thank you Fil! 🌲

Another great review Phil. Del was one of my earliest musical influences, still a favourite. Thanks !

Wow! A blast from the past. I heard this so much, loved it, haven't thought if him for decades. Some innovative sounds.

Thank you for all the information about Del. He was unique as a musician & as a songwriter. Loved his music as a teenager & still listen to it today. 50s, 60s & early 70s are mostly what I listen to. Thank you.

Definitely someone who is/was seriously underrated. He was a chameleon when it came to music, he could do anything, country, rock, folk, R&B...and for someone who has a deeper voice to be able to hit higher notes...I've always enjoyed his music.

I've always loved this song! It was in regular rotation on my turntable as I got ready for the daily walk to elementary school! Thanks, Fil!

This should be a nightly tv show. I’d watch it!!! Thanks Fil for your hard work.

This is one of my all time favorite songs! Quick, intense and just so memorable. Nice analysis!

Phil you have an excellent channel and I’m glad that I just happened to come by it because I think I’ve watched most of your videos of analysis,and you are an excellent speaker who gets your points across decisively👍

Fil, you are amazing.The research for these presentations,gives us the evidence of your devotion to the music and artists you cover.Thank You!

It was just wonderful of you to tell us so much about Del Shannon, a great, great artist

He had a very good voice and I love this live version almost as much as the original. The man could sing and he deserved to stay on top for decades.

Wonderful take on this great song, and one the greatest voices i have ever heard.

Thanks for the info, Phil. This song never fails to take me back to being a teen, when music was new and it was all such an exciting time . I love this song, as well as Hats Off to Larry. They're filled with the angst of early youth . It really hit home at the time .

I'm old enough to remember when this came out a great period when the accepted male singer's changed with Boddy Holly Roy Orbison Del and many others leading the way and very early electronic keyboards Telstar another great one Fil another informative video

One of your very best analyses, Fil, I love all the layers you explain: so I can hear a song I’ve heard a thousand times as if for the first time. A real treat, thank you!

Sad that Del Shannon lost his fight with depression! He was so gifted in many ways. I never heard a Del song that I dislike. great analysis Fil. Thanks Charles Weedon Westover; (Del Shannon) for all the great songs, recordings, television appearances and other body of works you left behind.

My best and favourite singer. Was so blessed to see him play live in London when he was touring with Bobby Vee and/or Johnny Tillotson. Love his music so much and was so sad that the effects of a drug supposed to help his depression, Prozac, ended up being the cause of his death. Still with us thanks to records, tapes and RU-vid. :P

Live in Manchester is one album I would take to a desert island with me. Love the sound of Del's older voice that goes from country gruff to falsetto. So sad he didn't realize how much we all appreciate his talent.

Superb analysis & information . Thanks Fil 👍

Hello Fil, I was 18 -19 years old! And had formed my first real band...Les Pauls were about 500.00 - 800.00 $....I loved Del. Thanks Fil...memories for this 65 year old!

Loved Del Shannon! And when I was 10 "Hat's of to Larry" combining falsetto then low rasp, was my favorite song!

This tune wouldn't be the same without the signature musitron bridge. My sister had the 45 and when she was gone, I'd 'borrow' it to practice singing along. Good info on this one Fil. Great job as always.

A song I performed at all my gigs , it never let me down , always a crowd pleaser .

Very interesting story Phil ! I felt sad to learn Del had passed away. You help me a lot on my way to better Know the history behind the 60’s music I love so much. I am french but, as a teenager in the 60’s, I crossed the Channel Many times, travelled in UK and listened the top 20 every sunday night on radio Luxembourg ... my pocket money was all for the record stores ! Go on teaching us your interesting stories ! All the best from France

One of the most well known songs ever. That song has been in so many movies, and on so many radios. Del Shannon, God bless! 🙏✌🎄

This brings back memories Del Shannon was really different. Sad he took his life. Thank you Fil😊

Thanks Fil for selecting great suggestions.

When I turned on RU-vid, up popped a video of Sha Na Na and their guest was Del Shannon and he sang 'Runaway'. Then the next video was Fil's Wings of Pegasus examining Del Shannon who sang...guess what... yep, 'Runaway'. First was slower (just a bit) with Sha Na Na as backup. I was amazed how much faster it was on Fil's video. It was great to dance to but hard go get a breath. On Sha Na Na Del played the keyboard (synthesizer) i didn't know he was a piano man. Fil's analyst is great, as always. So much information I would have overlooked myself. Thanks Fil!

A very unique analysis of one of my all time favorite songs from my youth. It carries memories of dances, meeting girls and just enjoying life. Hearing it now and listening to the musical analysis gives it a whole meaning from a musical aspect. I found the falsetto analysis very interesting. Thanks for giving a peace of my past a different look.

When I saw "Del Shannon", I thought, the only way this could get cooler is if it's "Runaway' ...and Tah Dah!! So interesting to learn about Maxfield Crook's pioneering Musitron, too, thanks for this one!

Del Shannon's music was ahead of its time because he electrified Pop Music. He established the energy sound level that was akin to the sound level that the Beatles would set 3 years later. Other performers looked up him and others would approach him if he'd write songs for them.

I met Del Shannon's daughter when I was singing karaoke in a bar in Ada, Michigan. she came an sat on my lap after one of my songs.

Not first. Great song Fil. Another good and informative analyses.

Del Shannon had to be my favorite singer since at 6 years old people took their hats off to me, LOL. I like reading your comment section since it is the most respectful and informative place on the internet. You often say that a song is a journey, and you take us on a journey of a journey. I lost myself in JRR Tolkien since he was a master storyteller of amazing journeys, and I think that you're channel is following in that tradition.

Thank you for this. Back in1961 the B.B.C. didn't play a song like this very often. To hear it you would have to listen to it at night on Radio Luxemburg. After all these years I know where I was when I first heard it. Every year in late Autumn a Fair came to town for a week. Anyway as I rode the octopus this song was played. Soon a crowd gathered at the booth where a guy was spinning the records to keep asking him to play it again. Soon it was the only song he played for the rest of the night. I got home so late I can still feel the smack around the ears when I walked in the front door. Happy Day's. Cheers, Chris Perry.

one of my personal favorite male singers ever ... huge range.... lot of power... lot of good childhood memories connected to del shannon......

The days of "a little dab will do you" and smothered in Old Spice....girls actually wore dresses and skirts and nylon stockings and flip hair doos. Always carried dimes for phone booth calls. Go cruising downtown with windows rolled down to find out where parties were happening and going to A&W for a real burger, fries and a milkshake while blasting "Runaway" on the car radio. 😎👍🏽🎶🔥♥️🔥🎶

Runaway was fabulous, Del had such talent. Searchin was incredible. So proud I've his autographed photo. And so sad he suffered from those Demons that afflict many individuals. Hard to comprehend for me. So talented a gentleman.

Del Shannon introduced the synth in pop music in 1961 in the track 'Runaway'

Thanks for explaining why I always liked this song! LoL! Seriously, loved your wonderful analysis, of all aspects of it. Just didn't realise there was so much going on it.

Great tech info on the original studio work. Interesting bio. The bass line on this live gig is great. What a jam...

Always a great song! Great analysis Fil!

I never knew that the original release was a speeded up version! It was so natural sounding, I wonder if they had the technology then to speed up the recording while keeping the same pitch. I know they can do it now. Anyway, it was such a remarkable song for its time, with that falsetto that no one else could quite imitate. He and Roy Orbison are two singers who took the pop world by storm. Thanks for this analysis, Fil, I always learn something new from your videos.

another quality review from this great guitarist. Happy Holidays

Great analysis of a stellar artist.

Wow, I almost fell out of my chair when you mentioned Johnny Carver! My father was good friends with Johnny Carver. We lost my father last year, but he knew many of the country artists. I have a letter Johnny wrote to my Dad when he was in the hospital when our house burned down back in 1963 or 64'. It was a very nice letter. Anyway I had to say something because not many people know about Johnny Carver today, but he had a hit on the country charts with Tie a Yellow Ribbon, almost at the same time Tony Orlando had his version on the pop charts. I think Johnny released his version a month or two after Tony Orlando. A bit of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon", Trivia - Many people assume Johnny did a cover of Tony Orlando's song. Which technically is true, but the truth is, that Johnny recorded the song very close to when Tony Orlando did. Johnny's version was released just weeks after Tony Orlando's version. Johnny's version also hit the top 10 on the country charts and #1 in Canada, just 4 weeks after Tony Orland's version dropped from #1.

Such a classic song. Del had that unique voice and effortless falsetto. Loved his singles Hats off to Larry and Little Town Flirt and Sues gotta be mine. Such great stuff! I was just a boy when Del had his big hits.. but the radio was always on in my home thanks to my older brother and his songs were always in heavy rotation. Sad very sad when l heard he took his own life. Another true original artist. ♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦 Thanks Fil for the wealth of knowledge you have.

I remember watching this on The Midnight Special when it was first broadcast on the Midnight Special. I was a freshman in college and never, to this very day, will forget this performance. When first released in 1961, it stood out among all the pre-Beatles crap dominating the US charts. His Live in England record from 1973 is IMHO, one of the greatest live albums of all time. Funny story. In 1997 I was the editor of a US magazine, Car Audio and Electronics. I caught Billy Gibbons, who was visiting one of our car editors in a nearby office. We started talking and it ended up that I took him to the local Tower Records in nearby Brea, California where we each spent more $250 each on CDs. We each bought each other a CD and I bought Billy the Live in England CD which we played in my Dodge Dakota project vehicle on the way to lunch. Billy mentioned that he had played at the Princess Club where Live in England was recorded. I thought that was really cool! Fil, thanks for a great retrospective. You certainly know your stuff.

Just loved, Del, bought all his singles and albums, think he had 14 or 15 chart enteries in the U.K. Rock on DEL.

Such a great song and a very talented man. So sad that he ended his life. Runaway never gets old. Thanks, Fil.

This was one of my favorites when I was 7 (I know!) but that was the time I started paying attention to what was on my teenage brother's radio. Flash forward 30-some years later, my Very C&W, cow-wranglin', hay-balin' husband and I were out driving around looking for his runaway teenage daughter, when this song came on the radio, and I was totally shocked to 1) find out that he knew the words, and 2) actually heard him singing along. I didn't say a word, figured it was helping him somehow. And yes, we found her.

PHIL ..... AMAZING!!! BONNIE RAIT'S version brought me back to WOP!!!! I was LOOKING for Bonnie's version for 1 more listen B4 I went to sleep and I found this... BY YOU!!! MAN... We got's lot's in common!!! She's got a version from 1977 W/ JR WELL's Harmonica player that I've been listening to for 3 days!!!!

Del was a true Rock & Roll great. He had a unique, instantly recognisable sound which always grabbed your interest.

That looked like a fun show to watch live

So raw, it's almost punk! RIP Del, you were one of the greatest!

That was fascinating, Fil, your running down all the labels for which he recorded. And it was either ironic or perfect in the world of falsetto, his working with RSO.

Yodelling is an interesting way of explaining it, and is probably the reason he decided to do a bit of yodelling in " the Swiss maid" another big hit for him in the UK, where he was always more popular than in his home country

Always liked this song. I enjoyed your analysis of it Fil. And congratulations on over 100k subs. 👍

Great analysis of a really great artists, and song.

Great! I always liked the comment Del once made when asked if he was going to join the Travelling Wilburys ti which he replied, "I don't know. You'll have to ask them They never know what they're going to do." which pretty well describes that great group. You do some great videos, Fil. Keep rockin!

This is a cool song. I’ve always liked “Little Town Flirt” also. So simple in lyrics, structure, and production (the original release) it made his voice stand out so well. He was a talented guy. As always good analysis of this tune Fil. I was born in ‘61 and loved music from an early age. Dale was always in the musical landscape for me.

I played bass on this in a cover band. "Hats Off To Larry" was in the jukebox at one of the venues we played- it was a popular choice,

Hearing Del Shannon sing ‘Runaway’ brings me back to my teenage years when my boyfriend’s band always included the song in their repertoire. Good memories.

I have no idea about most of you’re asking about, but I enjoy watching your videos!😉

Great old song

I've always loved how he sang this. People have thought I was nuts for not liking Bonnie Raitt's rendition of this song, but hers was so slow and lacking in energy after listening to Del's version through my growing up years that I just never could learn to enjoy her version. Thanks for taking me back to being able to hear this song as it SHOULD be done. ;-)

One of my favorite singers. First record i ever bought was by Del

The results of those speed ups on records were many a hot and muggy summer night sitting outside with the other kids in the neighborhood arguing about song lyrics! (Yes, there was life before the internet!) As always, enjoyed the video! Thanks.

One of the great rock N roll songs. Del was around for years and sounded good up till the end. Good clip of him on Letterman show late in the game. Another cool song was Suspicion by Terry Stafford.. Sounds like Elvis. Runaway Sue by Dion and a couple of Fats Domino tunes also memorable

Nice analysis Fil! I should like to draw additional attention to Del’s 1981 album : Drop Down and Get Me, which you mentioned in passing. It contained a tremendous version of the Jagger-Richards song Out of Time. He was still at the top of his game and his country-rock interpretation of the number was one of the finest things he ever did.

Thanks Fil, great story/ sad story...