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Dion DiMucci, best known mononymously as Dion, is a world-renowned singer and songwriter with a career spanning decades. Best known for doo-wop jukebox classics like "Runaround Sue," "The Wanderer" and "Ruby Baby," Dion earned 39 Top 40 hits across the 1950s and '60s both as a solo artist and with the Belmonts and the Del-Satins. Many classic pop and rock musicians, such as Paul Simon, Lou Reed and Bryan Adams, cite Dion as a direct influence on their work.
Born in the Bronx in 1939, Dion found musical inspiration from his father, a vaudeville performer. Dion was also drawn to the blues, doo-wop and country music, particularly that of Hank Williams. In the early days of his career, Dion sang in local clubs around the Bronx and on street corners. In 1957, Dion was teamed up with Bob and Gene Schwartz to form doo-wop group the Belmonts, with Dion singing lead vocals. Together, they toured with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper, and Frankie Sardo. In 1959, Dion narrowly escaped tragedy when he declined to join the other performers on a flight to the next tour stop, opting instead to take the bus. The plane crashed, killing all on board.
In 1960, Dion checked into rehab for heroin addiction. Subsequently, he pursued a solo career and released his first solo album, Alone With Dion, in 1961. Later that same year, Dion recorded "Runaround Sue" (co-written by Ernie Maresca) with the Del-Satins--the single was a smash, hitting No. 1 and selling over a million copies. Dion also found significant fame via "The Wanderer," a B-side to "The Majestic" and also written by Maresca. The same year, Dion performed around the world and appeared in Columbia Pictures' musical film Twist Around The Clock. He signed with Columbia the following year.
From 1965 on, Dion began performing more blues-driven material and teamed up with a new group, the Wanderers, featuring former Belmonts bandmate Carlo Mastrangelo on drums. In 1966, Dion reunited with the Belmonts, recording one LP, Together Again.
By the late 1960s, Dion began singing predominantly Christian material, recording Dick Holler's "Abraham, Martin and John" in response to the decade's assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. The song was enormously successful, selling over one million copies and was certified gold.
Dion spent the 1970s and part of the 80s recording contemporary Christian music. He also reunited with the Belmonts in 1972, releasing a live album Reunion: Live At Madison Square Garden. In 1984, Dion won the GMA Dove Award, also known as the Christian Music Award, for the 1983 album I Put Away My Idols. He was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male for the same album. In 1987, Dion published his autobiography, The Wanderer: Dion's Story.
In 1989, Dion was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was introduced by Lou Reed. Later, in 2002, Dion was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "Runaround Sue." Dion's 2006 album of blues and country standards, Bronx in Blue, was nominated for a Grammy and peaked at No. 2 on the Top Blues Albums chart.
Over the past 20 years, Dion has stayed extremely busy, releasing more than 10 solo studio albums, including 2007's Son of Skip James, 2020's Blues With Friends, and 2021's Stomping Ground, which became Dion's second No. 1 blues album. He has also collaborated with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Van Morrison, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, and Bruce Springsteen.
The show was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed seeing so many older people re-living great youthful memories (I guess I am one myself although I don't feel like one) . Every act was better than the last. I especially appreciated the Drifters. Charlie Thomas' rapport with the audience made me feel good.
Shirley Alston-Reevs....her group just made you sit back and smile.
This is Rock Royalty at its best! Dion connects with his audience through song and recollections of his early years in rock and roll. I'm waiting for the book and the movie!!!
My husband is a big fan, and this was the first time seeing Dion. He was very, very good. He was the only act, played right on through for an hour and 45 minutes, sang 20 of his best songs and the venue was intimate - that's what made the evening incredible. It is going to be hard to top this concert if we ever get another opportunity to see him again.
Dion was great. His voice, the band, the songs, etc., all were great. We really had a wonderful time, and we would definitely see him again.
I'm a huge Dion fan. He was terrific. Great show, but sorely missed hearing so many of the songs he recorded with the Belmonts. What happened to Where Or When, Don't Pity Me, Wish Upon A Star, That's My Desire, Lover's Prayer, Wonderful Girl, I've Cried Before ... and more? Recently saw Frankie Valli in concert who sand 90+% of his hit songs. Dion needs to incorporate more of his great songs with the Belmonts into his on stage repertoire. And, he has more of his own single songs which he could have also added to his song list. All that said, Dion performed well, excellent band, his voice is still great, his guitar mastery is very entertaining and he rapport with the audience was personal and fun and I highly recommend his show.
Still great voice. A few arrangements were changed from old standards. He looked like he sincerely, really enjoyed being up there. Still alot of energy. His backup band was terrific! Wanderer and Runaround Sue at the end brought down the house. Sax player and bass singer was worth the price of admission on his own.
Dion was very good. He relived some of the past as well as some different music.
Dion commanded the stage and had the crowd in the palm of his hands for a solid 90 minute show. He obviously can't hit all the notes anymore and there were a couple of minor glitches but he is still the coolest teenager in rock n roll. We had a great time.
As usual, Dion put on an excellent show. He never fails to entertain. He preformed many of his greatest hits. He paid homage to Eddie Corcorhan and Buddy Holly. The band was great, especially the Sax player. This is the third year I have seen him, and he did not disappoint. The only down side of the concert was the venue itself. The seating is poor as well as uncomfortable. It's time for new seating, Mr Trump.
A great show! Dion's voice is even better than what it was in the late 50s/early 60s. The show has a lot of energy and is pure Rock'n'Roll with a touch of Blues thrown it. Don't miss it!!
It was a great show that spanned his very long career.
Dion performed a mix of old and new with a few bluesy numbers thrown in. At age 70, he continues to be a talented showman who has a great rapport with his audience. He brought back wonderful memories from our childhood with Runaround Sue, Teenager in Love and the Wanderer. We can't wait for a return visit to see this first class performer. The only negative was the long wait to get into the theater. Resorts needs to do a better job of seating people. We waited in line for 45 minutes!! Fortunately, Dion waited until most of the audience was seated before beginning his performance (20 minutes late). Thanks, Dion!
The last time I saw Dion perform was June 1964. After my Senior Prom at Syosset High School, we went to the to Boulevard Night Club in Queens where he was performing. He is better than ever. I only wish he had sung Where or When - which is still my all time favorite.
Loved the acoustic blues section. A nice surprise. Great to see one of rock's originals. It's nice to see real musicians that don't need glitz, glamour and gadgets to make a great show.
It was a great show if you like Dion. He did a lot of older classics along with a couple numbers just he and his acoustic guitar. These songs were the blues songs he has covered most recently from Bronx in Blue cd. I happen to love them. His music is just timeless. If you had a pulse, your foot is tapping and your hands are clapping. He is still so cool. He did sing King of the New York Street/which, he is. If you have the chance to see him live-GO! He is one of the few true legends still touring.
Fabulous performance as usual. It's very hard to believe that this 70 year old performer still has what it takes to ignite a crows!
