A legend!! This record sold 80,000 copies a day as a 45 single when it came out. Tragically, he ended his life in 1990,, after struggling with Bipolar.... RIP, Del....💔💔

If you like the falsetto, check out Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

I love that Jamal can’t contain himself, he HAS to move to the beat. I love his reaction to the keyboard solo! 👍👍👏👏👏♥️♥️♥️💥

The falsetto was a big part of late 50s and early 60s rock, particularly the subgenre known as doo wop

Oh, gotta dive into DooWop. The Diamionds Little Darling is a fun one. The ones on the stage were called Go Go Dancers. Every little girl wanted go go boots and a mini skirt. Ah, great times.

Whenever I hear this song, I think of "American Graffiti." Jamel, you and your wonderful wife should check out the movie "American Graffiti" (sometimes on Netflix). This song and many others from the early years of Rock 'n' Roll were featured in it. It was a great double-LP soundtrack that I still have on vinyl. It was George Lucas' first big hit of a movie. It starred Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford, Mackenzie Phillips, Wolfman Jack and many more -- before they became household names.

"He's crying his heart out and everybody's dancing" I felt that

The Everly Brothers are a must! "Cathy's Clown," "All I Have to Do is Dream," and "Bye Bye Love" to get you started. Amazing melodic harmonies

How about doing some Johnny River "Poor Side of Town," "Secret Agent Man," to name a couple!!!

The girls dancing were called “go-go dancers” and worked for the TV production company. Many television shows used professional dancers like these on risers in the background.

Brilliant music how sad we lost that kind of pure musical gold

I watched a video of Del Shannon performing this song in 1987 on David Letterman and he still looked good and sounded great, falsetto and all! When David was introducing him, he said when this song was #1 in '61, it was selling 80,000 singles a day!!! That is amazing!! I was 6 yrs old at the time! Man, I grew up through all the great music, late '50's, '60's, '70's, & '80's!!! I have no idea what happened to rock & roll after that, but nothing original has even come close in the last 30 yrs in my opinion!

Ever since I saw American Graffiti in the mid 70's, this song will always remind me of the scene where they're cruising the boulevard strip. Classic.

This was my fave tune off the American Graffiti soundtrack! I love the whole Doo Wop sound in general! And the dancers are the precursors to Go-Go dancers 😊

We were young and had the best singers that didn’t need auto tune.They just had talent.The 60and 70 were great.

Del Shannon was the first American artist to record a Beatles' song, in the early '60's! He saw their magic early!

It's interesting that you react to this song right now after reacting to Tom Petty because this song was mentioned in the Tom Petty song, "Running Down A Dream." If you listen to the song "Runnin' Down a Dream" Tom Petty says "Me and Del were singing a little Runaway..."

Running down a Dream by Tom Petty,he mentions Del and this song.

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 "Don't worry dog. She'll come back to you!" I almost died when you started dancing.

Man, the joy on your face while watching this, made my heart and soul smile. Such a wonderful, natural reaction. It was a real joy just watching you. Thanks brother.

When you listen to Tom Petty's "Runnin Down A Dream", one of the best lines is "Me and Del were singing Little Runaway"!

Songfacts: Shannon and his keyboard player, Max Crook, came up with this while they were playing a club in their hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan. Crook played a keyboard called a "Musitron" on the song. Del Shannon (from 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh): "We were on stage and Max (Crook) hit an A minor and a G and I said, 'Max, play that again, it's a great change.'" The drummer, Dick Parker, followed them and after 15 minutes, the manager of the club shouted, 'Knock it off, play something else.'" The next day Shannon wrote some lyrics: "That night I went back to the club and I told Max to play an instrumental on his musitron for the middle part, and when he played that solo, we had 'Runaway.'"

Being a teen back then was “ Groovy Man” and yes I did all the cool dances. Fun!!

Lou Christie singing Lightning Strikes has what you need to listen to.

Del Shannon was such a good singer.another one of his is Hats off to Larry.Jeff(ELO) Lynne loved Del Shannon.

Runaway, one of the best songs of the early 60s. Thanks for doing this one my friend!

If you like Falsettos and High Notes, try listening to Lou Christie's "Lightning Strikes".

"Runaway" is my favorite song, and it may only be Tuesday afternoon but I am pretty sure this is the best thing I will see all week.

How much y'all want to bet Jamal will be walking around all day singing I WaWaWaWaWonder!

You might like to check out Dick Dale and the Del tones doing "Misirlou". Dick was a stunningly good guitar player.

Del Shannon is awesome. My favorite song of his is "Follow the Sun". It's another banger with more of his raspy vocals and of course the high notes are in there too.

That was such a freeing time. I was the 3rd in a family of 9 children and the oldest daughter with tons of responsibility. Getting a few minutes with my transistor radio now and then or watching the Ed Sullivan Show to see him feature rock and roll acts, was a needed respite in a daily world of cooking, cleaning, laundry, changing diapers, and helping feed a huge family. Thanks for the memory.

Del Shannon, AKA Charles Westover was arguably a really early singer-songwriter. He did some great songs!

The theme song to the late 80's TV series "Crime Story".

This was such an innocent time, before assassinations, Viet Nam, etc.

Jamel, Back through the mists of time.May 1961 a travelling Fair ground came to town. The B.B.C. in England only played popularsongs at certain times of the day. It was Saturday Afternoon when with my pocket money I went to the fair and heard this song for the first time. The guy playing the records would take requests and people kept asking for this song.By evening I'd spent all my money. But by now so many had asked for this song that it was the only record he played for the rest of the night. I finally got home by 11.30 to be greated with the biggest smacked backside I ever had. Happy Times. Many years later, The group, The Travelling Willbury's just sitting around jamming trying out things and they all went and did a mean version of this song with no rehersal. Everytime I hear this song I'm an 9 year old boy back at the Fairground Riding the Dodgem's or Ferris Wheel. Magic, Thank you. cheers, Chris Perry.

Doing the decades. Gotta love the history of our favourite medium.

Please react to: '96 Tears' by They Mysterians 1966 - Thanks!!!

Grew up listening to the older brothers 45's; Del Shannon, Eddie Cochran & Billy Fury = All time greats ! No random play listening to, 'Daryl Hall & John Oates'.We both thought of Jamal checking out one of their many great tunes, 'I Cant Go For That' . Soulful, funky & rockin' all in one fantastic groove. Y'all love it ;)

Ok..... I can't be the only lady on here that had " white go-go boots " back in the day. And mini dresses.... such fun remembering all these old songs. Thank you Jamal

del was my favorite musician when i was 11. as for the dancing, it was their emotional outlet for feelings of heartbreak.

The one on the stage is doing "The Swim", the ones dancing round the stage at the beginning were doing "The Pony". Snazzy, huh? lol

I love those go go dancers. I could watch them all day!

Tom Petty was listening to this whe he was Running Down A Dream driving down the freeway...

Eddie Cochran "C'mon Everybody" "Summertime Blues"

Makes ya wanna cruise the streets in a yellow '32 Deuce Coupe!

60 years ago, Del Shannon, Dion and The Big Bopper were played every Friday night at our Sock Hops....still have these on 45's

20+ years later, when the TV series Crime Story came out, they used this song as the song open to the show and Del Shannon re-recorded it, and 25 years later, he still sounded GREAT and the only difference was that he changed a couple words in it. You ought to give it a listen. . . not to mention the fact that the show itself was pretty damn good. (it also featured Dice Clay as one of the mob guys)

Damn, going back for some of these, brings back memories of my father's music. Check out Lou Christie - Lightnin' Strikes.

Always reminds me of the Movie AMerican Graffetti. It had a great sound track.

Around 1960 when I was in the 7th grade (jr high), our cafeteria had a jukebox of all things, and this song was played constantly. Every time I hear it, it takes me right back there.

Talking of crying - how about Roy Orbison's song crying.

Tom Petty gave a shout out to Del Shannon in "Running down a dream". One of my favorites. Jamel, I would love to see you react to it.

This reminds me of when I was a kid in the early 70s playing my dads 45s on the record player. lol

I saw both Del Shannon and Lou Christie in concert together along with The Coasters in 1987 and those guys were the real deal no autotune no special tech just the voices and instruments and amps

I love this song, it's a classic! There was a show in the eighties called Crime Story that used this as its theme song, Michael Mann was the producer, he also produced Miami Vice, the mega popular and stylish eighties cop drama. This song has been used in so many movies and TV shows that you've probably heard it from one of those. 💖💖

You should do some Tommy James & the Shondells, Crimson & Clover, Draggin' the Line, Crystal Blue Persuasion if you like this one.

Hey Jamal you need to check out this video Dion "Runaround Sue another 60's classic! You'll enjoy this one, and this song is from the tv series "Crime Story from the 80's! I loved that tv series! Thanks again for giving us another AWESOME video, Great job Jamal!

I just seen the one where he did this on the Letterman Show and then I seen this. They said he sold 80,000 records per day when this came out in 57 I think. I remember this SO WELL, I loved it when I was a little girl. I was born in 56. It's still one of my favorites. Loved that organ when I was little. Thanks Jamal! 😉❤🙏 P.S. I loved Elvis' version that he did too.

You would love " the lion sleeps tonight" by the Tokens....

Jamel-please, please do Time has Come Today by the Chambers Brothers. A great psychedelic song by a black band who had a great white drummer!

As a 15 year old, my friends and I loved singing along with the wa, wa's and why, why, why's. You want Dee Clark's,"Raindrops"

Ooo BABY! This song is the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, sun going down, the wooden rollercoaster slinging you out over the ocean, hot french fries grease, and the Beachboys and Del Shannon cementing you to a time and a place. The gogo dancers were a staple on these shows. They were great, because you could practice these new ways to move before you showcased your moves at the school dance

I loved your reaction, had me smiling. Back then The Dick Clark show was so popular, and he use to ask the kids in the audience what they liked most in a song, and they would say; it has a great beat and we can dance to it.I remember dancing to this and not even listening to the words. I believe they were doing the dances: the jerk and the swim.

Favorite song of mine during my freshman year in high school....still love it.

OK, if you like that falsetto sound, next stop is Lou Christie - Lightning Strikes, Rhapsody in the Rain, I'm Gonna Make You Mine...

This song always makes me think of my dad. He LOVED Del Shannon. I grew up with this song.

I am a 70 year old white guy who grew up with most of the music you play. I guess the best compliment I can give is you make me smile and laugh. Need that right now.

HAT OFF TO LARRY- Del Shannon A song that basically says F U to the one that did him wrong.

One of my earliest memories is of traveling in the '57 Ford with my Dad when I was about 3 years old, with this song playing on the radio.

😄 I was 2!! And yet this song was popular into the 70s! The dances they were doin'! The pony, the twist, the shimmy, the swim! 😄 Dang, they were carefree back then!

Del Shannon was great and had quite a few big hits. Unfortunately he was one of those acts that was totally pushed aside when the British Invasion hit. However, he found a unique way to deal with it. He said if all the British acts are coming over here, maybe I can go over there and they will still listen to me. He was right. He had a very successful career in Europe and the UK for the next 10 years or so before returning to the USA and getting rediscovered in the 1980's. Check out the songs "Little Town Flirt" and "Hats off to Larry." "Follow the Sun" is also a great one.

Love hearing the music from when I was growing up I was 6 when this was released great music back then

Thank you Jamel, This is one of the old 45's from my Childhood that I had lost during the passage of time and forgotten about. Amazing to hear it again.

In 1961 I was 3 years old,I would dance to this song every time my Dad would play this record.

The early 60's had some great music! Del wrote and performed many fine songs. He ended his own life in 89 or so....too bad he was one of a kind. Thanks for the memories...Steve Wasilla,AK

And to think, those people dancing are someones grandmother and grandfathers.

If we're going that far back, do Little Anthony and The Imperials - "Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop". 😏😊 The one uploaded by NRRA is a "live" performance.

I can remember this song when I was 4 years old we had a camp and the song just reminds me of that very small time frame in my life as a young child always liked the organ in the song del Shannon had an amazing voice tragedy to have lost him so early I believe suicide but he had some really good songs lot of people thought of it kind of as a bubble gummy kind of music I actually I really like it hats off to Larry little town flirt Keep bringing the music to the masses brother great job great reaction.

RUNAWAY is sung from the point of view of a man whose girlfriend has left him. She is mostly referred to in the third person, but she is briefly addressed in the second person in the lyric "wishin' you were here by me". My dad was 17 when this song was recorded on January 21, 1961...so when I was growing up, every time this song came on the radio... he turned the radio all the way up. RUNAWAY is a number-one Billboard Hot 100 song made famous by Del Shannon in 1961. It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook, and became a major international hit. It was No. 472 on the 2010 version of Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Singer-guitarist Charles Westover and keyboard player Max Crook performed together as members of "Charlie Johnson and the Big Little Show Band" in Battle Creek, Michigan, before their group won a recording contract in 1960. Westover took the new stage name "Del Shannon", and Crook, who had invented his own clavioline-based electric keyboard called a Musitron, became "Maximilian". Del Shannon re-recorded it in 1967. This version was issued as a single, and reached No. 122 on Billboard's Bubbling Under the Hot 100. Appearing on Late Night With David Letterman on February 10, 1987, Shannon reprised his hit backed by Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band. Letterman introduced Shannon as having sold as many as 80,000 singles of RUNAWAY per day at its height. Del Shannon re-recorded the song in 1986, as the theme for the NBC television series Crime Story starring Dennis Farina, which was set in the early 1960s. The lyrics, however, were rewritten for this version to better reflect the show's subject matter. The best-known original version is in mono. However, in subsequent compilations a different take from the same recording sessions is available in stereo.

I was just a kid when this was popular, but I remember liking it. That’s American Bandstand.

A group that influenced many other bands in the 60’s was Sha Na Na. Anyone of their greatest hits are well worth checking out. They are all short songs.

You nailed it Jamel - "not a care in the world." Back when it was fun to be young. We were very lucky back in the day. We got to really enjoy being young. It doesn't last forever.

My dad told stories about seeing 'Del' in tiny bars around Coopersville in the '50s, and I was lucky enough to see him on a caravan tour. It was a sad, sad day when he passed in the hills of southwestern Michigan.

great work Jamel. yes, it's called falsetto. also, the little solo in the middle is the first use of an early version of the synthesizer

Jamel if you want to check out an all time vocal performance you have to watch Shirley Bassey live at The Royal Albert Hall performing Goldfinger (song from the James Bond movie).

Dobie Gray "DRIFT AWAY" Gene Pitney "A TOWN WITH NO PITY"

Del Shannon was freaking awesome.

I appreciate when you do these videos, back when music was actually music.

This song was one of the highlights of the period between the end of the first generation of rock 'n' roll and the rise of the Beatles. within a couple of years' time, Elvis got drafted, Jerry Lee Lewis got disgraced, Little Richard got religion, Chuck Berry got busted, Buddy Holly got killed, and Carl Perkins got badly injured in a car crash. This left a vacuum to be filled, which in a large part got filled by Professional musicians and Professional songwriters with Professional management and Professional publicity. Many of the teen-heartthrob singers who rose during this period were managed by Dick Clark, who also held the rights to their music publishing. Naturally, Clark would feature them on American Bandstand, thus pushing up their record sales. Most of those artists were Italian-Americans from Philadelphia. This was the beginning of music celebrity arising as a result of Television. Some of these artists didn't even actually sing on their records; they were hired mostly for their looks, rather than their ability to do anything. Does that sound Kardashian to you?

Sadly this great talent left us behind to join the greats beyond the other side. Always missed by we mortals. Thank you for bringing us the warm memories Jamel_AKA_Jamal.

My Dad's all time favourite singer. Such a unique sound. If you ever get a chance to listen to some of his other songs, you won't be disappointed. The Swiss Maid, Stranger in Town, The Prom...The list goes on... Keep up the great work Brother.

"They haven't got a care in the world."... Ah, the good ole days when the only thing we had to worry about was nuclear war and the "Red Communists". L.O.L... Love the videos. William C.

Hey Jamel, please also react to: Ben E. King (original version) and Tom Jones (cover version) - Spanish Harlem, Frankie Avalon - Venus The Drifters - Save The Last Dance For Me

WOW! Love ur show. You just popped up. These songs are from my parents age and I love the music. Love how ur exploring these wonderful groups. Thank you, you have an amazing thing going on here. My maim favs are 80s and 90s which I grew up.

That was music in the 60,70 80. And we still listen to it. I like that you listen to that music and decide for your self what you like bless you

Those young ladies dancing round him... remember the lyrics to "The Wanderer"? All his ;-)

I think we've graduated to some Jay Black and the Americans..that fella's voice is earth-shattering ! I suggest Cara Mia from them...xoxo

That one at the top is a BIG fan of 'dancing like no one's watching' and I LOVE it!!!!

The keyboard instrument in the instrumental part of the song, is an early version of the keyboard synthesizer in 1961!! This instrument was invented in 1947 but were only in studios by the late fifties they became mobile & music stores started selling them!! They became more advanced as the sixties & seventies progressed!!