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On this day, 11 May 1963 American rock and roll country musician, singer and songwriter Del Shannon played Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens.
Also on the bill were, The Eagles, Peppi, Kenny Lynch, Johnny Tillotson, The Springfields (featuring Dusty Springfield) and Ret Anton.
Shannon was born Charles Weedon Westover on December 30, 1934, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
He came up with the name "Del Shannon", combining Mark Shannon—a wrestling pseudonym used by a regular at the Hi-Lo Club—with Del, derived from the Cadillac Coupe de Ville, his favorite car.
Shannon's career slowed down greatly in the 1970s, owing in part to his alcoholism. The Welsh rock singer Dave Edmunds produced the single "And the Music Plays On" in 1974.
In 1978 Shannon stopped drinking and began work on "Sea of Love", released in 1982 on his album Drop Down and Get Me, produced by Tom Petty.
The album took two years to record and featured Petty's band, the Heartbreakers, backing Shannon. However, RSO Records, to which Shannon was signed, folded.
