Curations from the Human Jungle
[The Bear as Springsteen is all the current buzz, but they've all taken a turn at having their moment on the silver screen. Now, it's The Boss's turn. Here's one list rating the biopics. What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments. When are they going to do The Del Shannon Story? They should... Continue Reading →
Country, blues, and soul can't hold a feeble flame to Haiku Rock 'n Roll -- SB SM [Blame Silverback Larry. We met him back in April, when his book Haiku Americana was published. Remember? SB SM} https://silverbackdigest.com/2025/04/27/he-writes-haiku/ Then we learned that he is not a poetry egghead, but rather someone who finds rhythm and beauty... Continue Reading →
Del Shannon was one of my heroes. No one ever said Del was cool. I got to meet many of my heroes along the way — Del Shannon, Bobby Orr, Carlton Fisk, Bill “Spaceman” Lee. And I got to meet so many people who became personal heroes—Irving Greenblatt, Duncan Syme and Murray Howell, John Schaeffer,... Continue Reading →
The year after I gave Alan Hassenfeld the fishing net, everything changed. He got a girl friend, Nancy Krause, who lived midway between us on Grotto Avenue. Her big brother Bob was a star on the Moses Brown basketball team, so not surprisingly Nancy was a whole head taller than Alan. Height, like socio-economic status,... Continue Reading →
[You want to be a good Silverbelle/Silverback? When you have a reaction to a post, comment online rather than sending a personal email to be. It is more fun when others know what you are thinking. Here are some recent comments that I have received recently that were directed to me personally. Share them with... Continue Reading →
https://www.cityofcoopersville.com/coopersville-historical-museum.html The so-called supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys, do this very uninspired version of Runaway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPx9bkpkh8 There are conflicting reports on Shannon's death. Some claim that it was accidental, that he was cleaning his gun when in accidentally misfired. In her testimony before Congress Le Anne Westover leaves little doubt as to whether her husband's death... Continue Reading →
Here's a timeline of my life intersections with Del: 1934 (Dec. 30) Del is born in Coopersville, MI as Charles Weedon Westover 1948 (February 9) Stephen is born in Milton, MA as Stephen Hunter Morris 1961 (February 18) Runaway is released, reaches #1, sells 9,000,000 copies, also releases Hats Off to Larry which climbs to... Continue Reading →
Del Goes to Pieces https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bZWN1Z5Ow0 Del wrote I Go to Pieces which became a hit for the British duo Peter and Gordon. Then, even though he had pioneered the concept of singer/songwriter, he had modest success recycling the hits of others with Handy Man and Do You Wanna Dance? by the mid-1960s he was yesterday's... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djkm-0ZFKIY Use this as a soundtrack as you read the rest of the post. Life is timing. In 1961 Del Shannon became an overnight sensation when "Runaway" became a smash hit, selling 9 million copies. Other hits followed in quick succession--"Hats off to Larry," "So Long Baby," "Hey Little Girl," "Little Town Flirt." By 1963,... Continue Reading →
[I have a long, rich, and complicated history with Del Shannon. Doesn't sound possible, does it? I will publish it in pieces this week. By the way, did you know that he wrote I Go to Pieces? Most people, most normal people, that is, say just one word when you mention Del Shannon ... "Runaway."... Continue Reading →