Michigan native Del Shannon (Charles Westover) scored a string of hits in the 60s, including the chart topping classic "Runaway," which spent a month at #1. Follow up single "Hats Off To Larry" gave him his second biggest hit, landing at #5. He'd return to the Top 10 yet again in 1965 when "Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun)" peaked at #9. Del Shannon's songwriting talents also helped score hits for other acts, most notably Peter & Gordon, who took Del Shannon's "I Go To Pieces" to #9 in 1965. Bonnie Raitt's version of "Runaway" peaked at #57 in 1977. His career diminished in the 70s, but he mounted a bit of a comeback with a new album and cover of "Sea Of Love," which hit #33 in 1982. It was his first chart appearance in over a decade, but it would also be his last. Sadly, he committed suicide in 1990 at the age of 55. This "Move It On Over" was co-written by Del Shannon - not to be confused with the Hank Williams song with the same title (later covered by George Thorogood). Unlike most other songs in his catalogue, this one from 1965 is a garage rocker that sparkles with its raw energy and unbridled enthusiasm.
Bonnie Raitt has been a mainstay on the charts across three decades, beginning in 1977 when her cover of Del Shannon's "Runaway," which featured Michael McDonald on backing vocals, landed at #57. Another duet, 1995's "Rock Steady" with Bryan Adams, became her final chart appearance. In the intervening years, Raitt scored numerous hits, her biggest being "Something To Talk About," which went to #5 in 1991. Others include "I Can't Make You Love Me" (#18) and "Love Sneakin' Up On You" (#19). Her popular song from 1989, a cover of John Hiatt's "Thing Called Love," which Hiatt sings on, surprisingly did not crack the Top 100. Her successes led to her induction in the R&R Hall of Fame in 2000. There's plenty of other good stuff in Raitt's catalogue to enjoy. Her 1982 effort, "Green Light," kicks off with this pleasant number called "Keep This Heart In Mind."
Being the star of hit TV shows (Miami Vice and Nash Bridges) and movies just isn't enough for some people. Don Johnson also wanted to sing his heart out. Don Johnson's debut album arrived in 1986, whose title track, "Heartbeat," soared all the way to #5. But when the follow-up single, "Heartache Away," stalled at #56, he seemed destined to be a one-hit wonder. However, his 1988 duet with Barbara Streisand, "Till I Loved You," (the love theme from the Broadway musical Goya) reached a respectable #25. The album "Heartbeat" featured an all-star cast, including songs written by Tom Petty and Bob Seger, and backing vocals by Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson. "The Last Sound Love Makes" is a missed opportunity that I think stood a decent chance at some chart action. Johnson's fame and support staff helped propel his album to an impressive #17 on the Top 200. Unfortunately, lightning did not strike twice and his 1989 sophomore record, "Let It Roll" didn't even chart.
You've got to be kidding me! John Hiatt has never had a single song chart on the hot 100? Criminal! This legendary, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has been writing hits for years, but they only land on the charts when other artists cover them. One of the most prolific artists of our time, he currently has 22 studio albums under his belt. Hiatt's first taste of success goes back to 1974, when his song "Sure As I'm Sittin' Here" was made into a #16 hit for Three Dog Night. Some of his other famous tunes include Jeff Healey's "Angel Eyes," which peaked at #5 in 1989 and Bonnie Raitt's version of "Thing Called Love." Hiatt's 1987 album (his eighth) was his first to chart and yielded several of his classics, including the gorgeous "Have A Little Faith In Me." The song has been covered by many, from Bon Jovi to Jewel to Joe Cocker. It's never cracked the top 100.
Sounding just like Pat Benatar, the terrific Rosemary Butler was robbed as a solo artist. She got her start in high school in an all-girl band called the Ladybirds on bass and vocals. They ended up opening for the Rolling Stones, but Butler left to join a hard rock outfit named Birtha. Butler became an accomplished back up vocalist and sang on many well-known records. She's recorded with the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and Bonnie Raitt. She released a solo album in 1983 called "Rose", but it failed to chart. "Through Different Eyes" is just one of many great cuts from this underrated record (which also features Linda Ronstadt returning the favor as a guest vocalist).
