A Birthday in History
Today is July 18th which is the 199th day of the year or the 200th if it is a Leap Year. We only have 166 days remaining until the end of the year. I’m taking the suggested UBC topic today to write about this day in history. So my blog is about a birthday in history.
Today is Dion DiMucci’s birthday, he was born on July 18, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York and his parents were Italian Americans. Dion DiMucci later became known as just Dion when he became an American singer and songwriter.
CREDIT: YouTube – DoowopRick
Dion was the lead singer of Dion and the Belmonts from 1957 to 1960. He left the group and went on his own solo career from 1960 to 1964 where he became a popular American rock and roll performer. Dion had 39 Top 40 hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a solo performer, with the Belmonts or with the Del Satins. He is best remembered for the singles “Runaround Sue“, “The Wanderer“, “Ruby Baby” and “Lovers Who Wander“, among his other hits.
Back on February 3, 1959 Dion and the Belmonts were also on the tour with Buddy Holly. As they headed to their next gig on an airplane, Dion gave up his seat because of the high priced $36 per person price. He was the only headliner not on the plane with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson who all died that night when the plane crashed. http://themarthareview.com/song-of-the-day-24/
Dion’s popularity slowed down in the mid 1960’s and toward the end of the decade, his style was more mature, contemplative feeling. He became popular again in the late 1960s and into the mid-1970s, and he has continued making music ever since.
Dion was dubbed as a “Teen Idol” but in the later years he sang and released albums with some contemporary rock artists.
Why back in 1980’s Rich and I attended one of his live performances at Starlight Music Theater in Latham, a little town in upstate New York. The Starlight was an awesome theater, it was a round building with seat in a circle and the stage rotated so everyone got to see the performers. I remember him singing the Wandered at this concert. We still love the music from the 50’s and 60’s and Dion’s music will always be on top of the list for us.
Back in May, I was in a Song of the Day Challenge and Day 24 was The Wanderer. This is the blog I wrote http://themarthareview.com/song-of-the-day-24/
Happy 81st Birthday Dion, it’s a birthdayday in history for you today!
Martha, I love your little Wanderer!!!!
Thanks Brenda! I thought the picture was perfect for Dion’s song! Thanks for stopping by.
Martha great reminder. I have always loved Dion’s music, I grew up with my parents listening to this type of music, but I had forgotten about the connection to Buddy Holly. I was born later the year they all died. That must have been a tough thing to get through for Dion. Loved watching the video, thanks so much!
Both hubby and I are in Dion’s era and still love listening to the “oldies.” I actually didn’t realize today was his birthday until I did some research. Thanks for visiting Cindy!
I didn’t know there was another who was supposed to be on that flight (who didn’t go). My guess is other family members of the ones who DID die wished their loved one was a bit more frugal, too. Thanks for all the videos, too. What a fun share!
The weather was bad and Ritchie had a bad cold. On of the others who planned to fly gave up his seat to Ritchie. Such a sad time when the world lost great singers Julie.
I had no idea he had so many hits! I loved quite a few of them, though. And how wonderful that you got to see him perform live.
Yes Dion has many hits both with the Belmonts and on his own Jeanine. I love that era of music.
I never had the chance to listen to Dion & The Belmonts (I was not born yet during his prime) but thanks for sharing this post about them. BTW, what a cute shot of the kid, though I’d rather see the kid facing the camera 🙂
LOL Jojo, that’s a shot of the kid wandering! I love using my own photos and trying to find ones that go with my blogs. Thanks for visiting.
I love reading your blogs and learning new things.
I’m glad you are enjoying them Amanda! I like to share what I find to others.