by Robert Wilkinson
Today we celebrate the December musical birthdays of 3 of the greatest musical talents of our time! Del Shannon, Noel (Paul) Stookey, and Jeff Lynne are all December 30 birthday boys, and we have some great videos!
This is a musical feast with a bunch of the best of each of these amazing Capricorn performers. Del, Noel, and Jeff each created magic in their own way, and influenced millions of others through their talent, styles, and excellence.
First, the awesome voice of Del Shannon (born Charles Weedon Westover; December 30, 1934 – February 8, 1990). He was consistently at the top of the charts from 1961-1964, and the first musician to record a Beatle composed tune in the US. In late 1964 he did the world a huge favor when he produced Bob Seger’s first demos and gave the acetates to Dick Clark! In 1969 he discovered the band Smith and arranged their hit "Baby, It's You," and in 1970, he produced Brian Hyland's million-seller "Gypsy Woman." Over the year many of his tunes have been performed by major talent!
This song first hit the charts in April 1961 and by Summer was blasting from 100,000 transistor radios, announcing Del to the world with his iconic monster #1 hit, "Runaway."
I found two more live performances in the 80s of this classic! First, from Letterman in 1986 backed by “the world’s most dangerous band,” "Runaway." We now move into 1987 at the Spring Break Special, a said-to-be rare live performance of "Runaway."
Moving into his next hit, a great live performance at the 1988 MDA Telethon of ”Hats of to Larry” and "Runaway."
Del's second giant hit that went to #5 Billboard, #2 Cashbox, featuring Max's Musitron in the solo! "Hats Off To Larry. " Live in Oz, Del performing "Hats Off To Larry"
Del live in Japan cranking out ”Hats Off To Larry" and "Keep Searchin'"
We continue with more of his great hits for your enjoyment!
From Australian Bandstand in the mid-60s, Del performs his third hit (#2 UK, #38 US) from 1961, "Hey Little Girl" to a backing track. (Max Crook clearly ripped off his own earlier Musitron riff in this one.)
Live at Little Darlins in Florida, Del is great in this live performance of his 1962 hit which went to #12 US, #4 UK, and #1 in Oz in 1963, "Little Town Flirt." Here's the original studio version of "Little Town Flirt."
After that, in the US Del took this tune to #32 on the charts, scoring long before its more famous composers! "From Me To You"
Speaking of the British Invasion, here's Del doing a song he wrote made famous by Peter and Gordon who took it to #9 Billboard, #6 Cashbox in early 1965, the poignant "I Go To Pieces."
For the classic hit, here are Peter and Gordon doing live vocals over a backing track. This was one of the songs which made 1964 so special. Here are the beautiful harmonies of "I Go To Pieces."
From Where the Action Is in 1964, Del lip synching his #22 hit, "Handy Man." This year I found my favorite performance of this song! This live video stomps with great solos as Del cranks out "Handy Man." (The drummer pounds on this one, and the sax break is great! Great for dancing!)
I found it again! From 1988 live at Little Darlin's in Florida, where he shows off some serious guitar chops in another pounding version of "Handy Man."
A short 1 minute clip from 1965 featuring Del performing is 1964 versions of "Do You Want To Dance?" Strong falsetto! And from 1989 in NSW, Oz, Del belting out another rocking version of “Do You Wanna Dance?”
Live from Top of the Pops in 1965, the haunting 1964 hit which went to #3 UK, #9 US, "Keep Searchin'" From the same era, a good lip synched performance of "Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)"
Another haunted tune with Del on the move! From Where the Action Is in 1965, Del looking grim as he lip synchs to his early 1965 #30 hit "Stranger In Town." He’s another period piece with Del lip synching "Stranger In Town."
Here's Del in a great live performance covering the Roy Orbison hit, "Crying." From the same show, the compelling warning of "Little Town Flirt."
Here's the studio version of Del doing the Searcher's hit, "Needles and Pins."
From 1982, Del and Burton Cummings doing Del's hit "Keep Searchin'"
Most don't know Del was one of the premier yodelers in music! For your enjoyment, Del live in 1985 doing his famous "Coopersville Yodel."
Here's Del live doing "Swiss Maid."
Here’s Del’s country version of the Tim Hardin classic that Rod Stewart made into a major hit! "Reason To Believe”
From 1985 on Nashville Now, Del in a live performance of “In My Arms Again”
Remember, he arranged this Bert Bacharach hit for Smith! "Baby It's You."
And in the Summer of 1970, he produced this #3 Brian Hyland hit, "Gypsy Woman"
He toured Oz in 1989. Here's a lip synched performance of his hit cowritten with Jeff Lynne, "Walk Away"
From the end of his career, a ripping concert straight from the first note! In 1989, he played Castle Hill RSL in Sydney and gave us a show for the ages. Del Shannon Live in Sydney - 1989
We'll close this birthday tribute with Del live in Fargo, ND, in 1990 at his last concert. A fitting send-off, his second hit, "Hats Off To Larry" and the immortal “Little Town Flirt.”
The Traveling Wilburys made an offer to Del to join the band shortly before he died, and recorded this as a tribute to Del. For the encore, the Traveling Wilburys’ version of the iconic "Runaway" and a great live audio performance by Del and Otis Wilbury in June 1988 at the Hippodrome in London cranking up ”Runaway” and "Do You Want To Dance?"
For the second encore, a minute and 17 of one of the coolest television show intros of all time! Crime Story was an extraordinarily noir-ish series which ran from 1986-88, and had Del re-cut "Runaway" into a new version, where the lyrics take on added haunted desperation against the stream of glitzy Las Vegas images. This is a great 1 minute plus trip! For your enjoyment, "Runaway (Crime Story Intro)"
An additional treat, courtesy of Steve Taylor! From the Library of Congress, and interview done with Del in the late 80s. Off the Record Interview with Del Shannon
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Speaking of the Traveling Wilburys, we now celebrate the birthday of musical prodigy Jeff Lynne (30 December 1947), a.k.a Otis (Clayton) Wilbury, formerly of the Electric Light Orchestra, a.k.a ELO, and of course, the Traveling Wilburys. Songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer, he's produced and/or played on more great records than can be listed here. So today, I'll give you a few that showcase Jeff's talents. He wrote ALL of these hits (except "Roll Over Beethoven"), no small feat!
From the Mike Douglas Show in 1974, ELO doing a 9 minute set of "Intro," "Poor Boy," and "Can't Get It Out of my Head."
Here's ELO live on the Midnight Special in 1974 doing "Can't Get It Out of My Head," and on the same show in 1975, here they are doing "Evil Woman."
And yet again on the Midnight Special, here's ELO in a live performance of "Do Ya."
From the 1977 American Music Awards, here's ELO live doing "Livin' Thing."
From the 1986 Heartbeat Charity Concert, here's ELO live doing "Telephone Line" and “Do Ya”
Here's ELO doing Jeff's tune "Turn To Stone"
I found a great live 1978 music video performance of “Sweet Talkin' Woman"
From 1986, the stomping "Don't Bring Me Down" Here’s the original 1979 music video for “Don’t Bring Me Down”
Here's ELO on American Bandstand in 1986 performing one of the last great hits Jeff wrote before disbanding the original ELO, "Calling America." This year I found the original music video again! For your enjoyment, "Calling America." To close this trifecta, here's the studio version of "Calling America."
On the Midnight Special show in 1973, we'll close this ELO segment with a clip of them doing a major league rocking version of the Chuck Berry classic, "Roll Over Beethoven." And from 1974 live at Rockpalast, another screaming live performance of "Roll Over Beethoven."
This year I found an amazing hour and 50 minute clip where that song came from! The first is their 38 minute 1974 Rockpalast show. It then takes you to a 1973 concert at Brunei University and ends with something called “1976 Fusion.” Have fun!
ELO at Rockpalast and other shows
In a historical note, Jeff helped Sir George Martin produce the two "final" original Beatles songs that appeared on Anthology, both of which sailed high in the charts. For your enjoyment, "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love."
Here's Jeff with the other Wilburys in the official music video of "Handle With Care, " and here's the second hit from the first Traveling Wilburys album, "End Of The Line."
In 1988 Jeff and all the other Wilburys (except Elston Gunn) joined up with Tom Petty to create his first solo album Full Moon Fever. Jeff was lead producer, played bass, rhythm, guitar synthesizer, piano, keyboards, and did backing vocals. For your enjoyment, Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever.
He played bass and sang harmony with George Harrison on one of the biggest hits of all time! From that album, the official music video for “I Won’t Back Down”
Also from that album, a song Jeff co-wrote. (played a bunch of instruments, too!) Here’s the very well done animated video of “Runnin’ Down A Dream.”
In a fitting end to this Jeff Lynne birthday tribute, as I told you earlier, the Wilburys were going to add Del Shannon to their lineup after Roy Orbison died. Unfortunately, Del died before they could record what would be another historic session, but we do have this gem by the Traveling Wilburys, their studio version of the Del Shannon monster hit, "Runaway."
So Happy Birthday Otis Clayton Wilbury! Sorry so many of the tribe have left the building, but at least you still have one you can still hang with!
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Now that we've covered the rockers, we now turn our attention to the third of these amazing birthday talents, Noel Paul Stookey (December 30, 1937) of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame. It's Folk City, people! He's a true raconteur and very funny guy with a heart as big as it gets!
Though Peter Yarrow wrote some of their best-known hits and Mary Travers brought a big voice, blond hair, and compelling gravitas to their trio, Paul also wrote or co-wrote a bunch of great tunes, including one of the most famous and well-loved wedding songs in history, written for Peter Yarrow's wedding and played at countless weddings since.
This trio cut an impressive wake in the Civil Rights Era, and kept the flame alight for many years after! 4 years ago I had the rare privilege of seeing Peter and Noel perform live in a small theater, and the entire audience was one very folky organism!
If what I experienced that night means anything, there are millions of us who still love them and miss Mary, and are grateful for all the years the three were together, performing their folk anthems. (And as Peter mentioned, Mary’s voice is curiously there when they perform. I really thought I heard it on "If I Had A Hammer.") And now, happy birthday to Mister Noel Paul Stookey!!
First, a great video from 1966! This is the BBC’s Tonight in Person, and I found the entire one hour concert with PP&M in all their glory!
Peter, Paul, and Mary Live on the BBC (Set list: “When the Ship Comes In,” “The First Time,” “San Francisco Bay Blues,” “For Loving Me,” “Jesus Met the Woman,” “Children Go Where I send Thee,” “The Whole Wide World Around,” “Early in the Morning,” “The Times are a Changing,” “Hangman,” “In My Dreams,” “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Rising of the Moon,” “Great Day,” “Blowing in the Wind,” “If I Had My Way.”)
From that 1965 live BBC show, here are a few pieces if you just don’t want to enjoy yourself for a full hour. First, here are PP & M doing two timeless Dylan classics, "Blowin' In The Wind," and "The Times They Are A Changin.'" From the same show, "Early Morning Rain," and Peter's classic, "Puff the Magic Dragon." We’ll move into Noel’s "Early in the Morning" and finish with their classic, "For Loving Me."
From 1964, Peter, Paul and Mary on the Jack Benny Show performing "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Waukegan." (There’s also a gag number as part of the show. Enjoy a slice of humor from 50 years ago….)
From 1964, the original studio version of PP & M doing "For Loving Me."
From 1963 at their early peak, a great television performance of Pete Seeger’s "If I Had A Hammer."
Here's Pete Seeger doing an intro to PP & M in a clip of a live performance at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival doing a song Pete wrote, "If I Had A Hammer." Here's another great live performance of "If I Had A Hammer."
A live performance at Newport of Dylan's "When The Ship Comes In."
Live in Oz in 1964, PP&M doing Noel's composition, "Very Last Day."
Here they are in a live performance of "Go Tell It On The Mountain"
From the 60s, Noel co-wrote this one with the others, "There Is A Ship."
Doing their radio hit of pop music references co-written by Noel, "Rock and Roll Music."
From Something to Sing About in 1969, here’s Peter, Paul, and Mary with John Denver performing “Leaving on a Jet Plane”
Last year I had a clip of Peter and Noel live in 2013 without Mary playing “Leavin' On A Jet Plane" but this year it’s disappeared.
From the 25th Anniversary Concert in 1989, Peter, Paul, and Mary – “Leaving on a Jet Plane”
From the same Anniversary Concert, a great performance of the Pete Seeger classic, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" and Peter’s iconic tune "Light One Candle." We’ll close this show with another iconic tune, "This Land Is Your Land."
Here PP & M give us another performance of Woody Guthrie’s classic often proposed as a better national anthem than the one the US has now. For your enjoyment, "This Land Is Your Land."
Dylan provided them quite a few hits, this one included! "Don't Think Twice It's All Right."
I found it again! From the PP&M 1988 Holiday Concert, PP&M performing the iconic Peter Yarrow anthem, “Light One Candle.” I also found their live performance from the 1986 25th Anniversary Concert of “Light One Candle.” As a bonus, here’s an audio-only version from the 1988 Holiday Concert of “Light One Candle”
Here’s a curiosity from 1963! It’s the entire episode of What’s My Line, featuring Peter, Paul, and Mary with Woody Allen as one of the guest panelists! “Peter, Paul, and Mary on What’s My Line
For the finale of the set, here's Noel doing a solo live performance at their 25th Anniversary show of the incredibly beautiful "The Wedding Song (There Is Love) Here's another live performance by Noel in Australia at the Sydney Opera House in 1970 of "The Wedding Song."
For our encore, here's a solid hour of Noel performing live courtesy of St. Petersburg College! For your enjoyment, An Evening with Noel Paul Stookey At St. Petersburg College
And there you have it, folks! A birthday tribute for musical appetites ranging from folk to rock to electronic! Truly a big Happy to all three of these amazing talents, as well as the other birthday boys of December 30, Michael Nesmith, Red Rhodes, Bo Diddley, and Davy Jones who we’ll feature next weekend since we’re out of time this weekend!
© Copyright 2025 Robert Wilkinson
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