Singer-songwriter Del Shannon died by suicide on February 8, 1990, at age 55 in his Santa Clarita, California home, shooting himself with a .22 caliber rifle. His death followed severe, rapid personality changes and physical side effects after beginning a prescription for Prozac, according to his widow. | Reeling rocking n rolling

Remembering Del Shannon who died on this day (Feb 8) 1990. American singer‑songwriter Del Shannon, who had been struggling with depression, was 55 years old when he died of self inflicted gunshot wounds. He scored the 1961 UK and US No.1 single ‘Runaway’, plus nine US and 12 other UK Top 40 singles. Shannon had been working with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne and was rumored to be replacing Roy Orbison who had recently died, in the Traveling Wilburys supergroup. Here, the singer-songwriter performs hi