Born Charles Weedon Westover on December 30, 1934, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he became a prominent American artist in the 1960s, standing out during the British Invasion with chart-topping hits like ‘Runaway’ in 1961, followed by ‘Hats Off to Larry’ and ‘Little Town Flirt.’ Growing up in rural Coopersville, Michigan, he was shaped by country music influences, learning ukulele and guitar, and later honed his skills in the U.S. Army band, the Cool Flames, before his breakthrough at Battle Creek’s Hi-Lo Club with Max Crook’s innovative Musitron, securing a Bigtop Records deal in 1960. Throughout his career, he worked with various labels like Liberty and Dunhill, explored diverse musical styles, and produced for artists such as Brian Hyland, while later collaborating with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne on albums like ‘Drop Down and Get Me’ (1981) and ‘Rock On!’ (1991), leaving a lasting legacy recognized by his 1999 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.