Troy Shondell (born Gary Wayne Schelton; May 14, 1939 – January 7, 2016) was an American singer who rose to national prominence in the early 1960s. He began performing professionally in 1957 and is most widely remembered for the 1961 rock and roll single "This Time (We're Really Breaking Up)", which charted in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Biographical and career summaries are available in many music reference sources and profiles here.

Early life and name

Shondell was born Gary Wayne Schelton in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and later adopted the stage name Troy Shondell. His Midwestern upbringing and early exposure to regional radio and local live music scenes influenced his musical style. For information about his hometown and upbringing see local histories of Fort Wayne and the wider state of Indiana.

Recording career and the hit single

During the late 1950s and early 1960s Shondell recorded a string of singles for small labels and toured regionally. His best-known record, "This Time (We're Really Breaking Up)", reached listeners on both sides of the Atlantic and appeared on contemporary pop charts in the United States and in the United Kingdom. The song's driving beat and sentimental breakup lyrics typified the era's rock and roll ballads and earned him television and radio exposure.

Later life, health and death

After his peak recording years Shondell continued to perform periodically, maintain contacts in the music community, and make occasional appearances at nostalgic rock and roll events. In later years he developed health issues, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, which affected his quality of life. He died from complications related to these conditions on January 7, 2016, in Picayune, Mississippi where he was living at age 76.

Legacy and notable points

Shondell is often cited as an example of an early 1960s rock and roll artist whose single crossover success provided a lasting signature song even as broader fame remained modest. Collectors and fans value his recordings as part of the era's musical tapestry. Key points about his career include:

  • Stage name of Gary Wayne Schelton and origins in the American Midwest.
  • Career beginning in the late 1950s with a national hit in 1961.
  • Continued involvement in music despite limited chart follow-ups and later health struggles.

For listeners exploring early rock and roll or the popular music of the pre-Beatles era, Troy Shondell's recordings offer a clear example of the melodic, vocal-driven singles that bridged 1950s rock and the pop surge of the 1960s.