Anecdotes

The Belmonts were on the Winter Dance Party tour in the winter of 1959, the same tour that proved to be the last for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (aka The Big Bopper), when they died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. Dion was touring with them but did not take the plane because he thought the $36 price for the trip was too high. He recently said that the fare was equal to the monthly rent for his family's apartment in The Bronx.

Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989

Three children with Susan: Tane (born 1966), August, and Lark DiMucci.

(1957-1960) Sang lead with his group, The Belmonts.

Had a #1 hit with "Runaround Sue" (as "Dion"). (1961)

Appears on sleeve of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club" album.

During the summer of 1963, in a "Summer Stock" theatrical group, he played the lead role of "Sky Masterson" in "Guys and Dolls" .

Dion was in the "Folk Rock" scene of the late 1960s and 1970s and recorded a folk rock album for Columbia Records.

His favorite songs are "Walk On The Wild Side" by Lou Reed, "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, "Someday Baby" by Bob Dylan, "Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton, "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins, "Runaway" by Del Shannon, "Rock And Roll Music" by Chuck Berry, "Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard and "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green. (Source: BBC Radio 2 "Tracks of My Years").

He appeared in concert on US Public TV's "Soundstage" in 1975.

In the fall of 1967 appeared for a week at "Maxim's Third Rail" a local Bronx NYC disco club, to the delight of his fans. On several occasions, that week,he performed a unique version 0f "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", from The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" album.

His parents' names were Pasquale and Frances DiMucci.

Release of his autobiography, "The Wanderer: Dion's Story" by Dion with Davin Seay. (1988)

His worldwide million sellers (1960-1963) include "Lonely Teenager", "Runaround Sue", "The Wanderer", "Lovers Who Wander", "Little Diane", "Love Came To Me", "Ruby Baby", "Donna The Prima Donna", and "Drip Drop".

Host, with Sandy Dell, of an infomercial for TimeLife's "Doo Wop" music collection. (2007)