Dion
by Rich on 7/24/22St. George Theatre - Staten IslandDion was fabulous....would go and see Dion again. Saint George is terrific venue to watch any show, there is no bad seat.
Events0 Results
No more results on this page
About
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.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rating: 3 out of 5 Disappointed
by ACS on 7/24/22St. George Theatre - Staten IslandI am an avid Dion fan. I have seen him over two dozen times. I have all his albums. This concert was terrible. Half the songs he sang I never heard of and the ones I did know he rushed through them. He simply wanted to do a one hour show and go. No conversation or warmth. I know he is 83 but from Dion I expected much more. My tickets were over $300. I felt robbed.
Rating: 5 out of 5 A rock icon not to be missed.
by Tony on 7/24/227/23/22 Westbury NY- If ever an artist deserved the status of legend it is Dion. Tonight the NY Doo Wop and rock legend performed on Long Island to a near sellout crowd at Westbury Theater. At 83, Dion was in fine vocal form and his band was well rehearsed. He played for 1 hr and 45 minutes. His set list consisted of both new and classic hits. He conversed with the audience and telling stories of his musical journey that started in the Bronx with Dion and the Belmonts. He sang some really catchy new tunes from his latest album and of course his well schooled blues musical up bringing was evident. The highlight however, was his string of hits Like "I Wonder Why", "Teenager In love, "Run Around Sue", "Abraham Martin & John" "Ruby Baby" "Donna The Prima Donna', and of course "The Wanderer" that were performed to thunderous applause and many standing ovations. If this was indeed Dion's final public performance then all I can say is he is going out on top and he remains one of the most important rock pop figures to ever emerge from the NY area during the vintage era of rock n roll.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Dion Concert
by Donnie on 7/24/22St. George Theatre - Staten IslandThe guitar playing was great. I wish he played more old songs. The crowd really enjoyed those songs. The crowd was mostly Seniors. The new music was ok but did not bring back the memories when Dion was young and rock and rolling.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rock and Roll Royalty
by Sammi on 7/23/22St. George Theatre - Staten IslandDion put his heart and soul into every amazing song . The band was fantastic and the sax was to die for! Dion’s anecdotes about the early days in the Bronx made the evening extra special. People were dancing in the aisles! The concert ended too soon !!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Dion at the St. George
by Bawrence50 on 7/23/22St. George Theatre - Staten IslandAny opportunity to catch a show at the beautiful Saint George Theatre in Staten Island should not be missed. This historic marvel has been restored and renovated and is a throwback to the days of vaudeville. The same can be said of Dion. At 83, he looks and sounds great! This jewel of the Bronx ( and his excellent band) put on a solid 90 minute show filled with beloved oldies mixed with newer stuff that rocked the house. If you ever have an opportunity to see Dion live or revisit his recordings- take it!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Dion
by Tony L on 7/23/22St. George Theatre - Staten IslandGreat show. Dion sounds great. The band is fantastic, especially the sax and lead guitar, but the biggest surprise was discovering how great Dion plays blues guitar. A fan of his since I was 13, 60 years ago, and every hope I had for this concert was met
Rating: 5 out of 5 Still going strong
by John on 7/23/22St. George Theatre - Staten IslandThe St George theatre is magnificent. Dion put on a great show. He does all his biggest hits with a few newer ones that are excellent as well. Hes inspiring in words and the way he lives his life.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Date night
by J. V. on 7/22/22Was happy to see this legendary preformer still sounds great He's in his 80 but you would think he was in his 50's great time had the St George theater in staten island rocking
Rating: 1 out of 5 One of the bigger wastes of money in Atlantic City
by John Macy on 7/21/22Music Box at the Borgata - Atlantic CityTo start off the venue couldn't have been more unaccommodating if they tried. They wouldn't allow me to enter the theater since the metal detector was set off by my small folding pocket knife in my pants. The staff reacted like I brought an uzi into the theater and forced me to almost miss the show having to take the knife back to my car. Then when I was finally able to enter I purchased two drinks each for my wife and I (so we didn't have to get up again during the show) and entered the theater only to find that our seats had no cup holders like the majority of the other seats in the place. What a nuisance to have to hold onto two containers for the whole 90 minute show. Then when Dion appeared to perform our disappointment increased even more. He only performed 7 of all of his hits and did those extremely poorly, being off key and changing the lyrics to his biggest hits. The remainder of the show consisted of songs he had written recently and they weren't the type of music that I would have paid to hear from anybody, much less an oldies artist. I won't make that mistake again.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great
by JOHN on 7/18/22Music Box at the Borgata - Atlantic CityGreat mix of oldies and his new stuff. Wish he played more from Blues with Friends. Great time though
Rating: 5 out of 5 Amazing Journey Of Life Sharing Musical Awareness
by Kenny S. on 7/18/22Music Box at the Borgata - Atlantic CityThe Music Box At Borgata Is So Comfortable From Any Seat Great Sound Feel Apart Of Show. All the Best 💯🎬🎼🎶🎶
Rating: 5 out of 5 We’ve seen him several times! Still going strong!
by Roe on 7/18/22Music Box at the Borgata - Atlantic CityVery good! Full of life! Today is his birthday. Happy Birthday Dion! Keep on rockin!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Happy Night
by ML on 7/18/22Music Box at the Borgata - Atlantic CityThe show was very good. Dion sang some favorites plus his favorite songs, The newer songs were more country but good. The band was excellent. When people started dancing in the aisle, that was the best. At the age of almost 83 Dion has a lot of energy. Glad we went.
Rating: 5 out of 5 We had the best time
by Lori on 7/18/22Music Box at the Borgata - Atlantic CityDion was absolutely amazing, he really put on an amazing show
Rating: 5 out of 5 Dion The Great
by L. C. on 7/9/22Saw Dion last night at American Music Theater. He was awesome. Reminiscing to old tunes and enjoyed his new songs too. I would see this show again and I recommend my friends to get your tickets now.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Dion
by Imaim on 8/11/18Paramount Theatre - Asbury ParkDion was marvelous on Aug 5th at Asbury Park, NJ. A fantastic concert and the Paramount Theater is a superb venue.
Rating: 4 out of 5 DION ROCKS
by ArtTheTwanger on 8/10/18Paramount Theatre - Asbury ParkDION ROCKS and still has GREAT pipes!!! YO! Rock On!
Rating: 5 out of 5 DION IS THE BEST
by chuck69 on 8/8/18Paramount Theatre - Asbury ParkDION IS THE BEST JUST SEEN HIM 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS AND I WISH THERE WERE MORE SHOWS.A TRUE ROCK N ROLL LEGEND.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Rocks the house
by 3NJBOYS on 8/8/18Paramount Theatre - Asbury ParkDion was amazing he played for almost 2 hours. Had a great time and will see him again. The venue is in poor condition and needs renovation, hope he comes to Count Basie next.