Legendary Rock and Roller Dion DiMucci Quiz

Answer: New York

Dion Francis DiMucci was born on July 18, 1939, to an Italian-American family in the Bronx section of New York. His father was a vaudeville puppeteer who spent his summers performing in the Borscht Belt. Dion would accompany him when he worked around New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

As he grew, Dion developed a love of country music and especially appreciated Hank Williams' music. By the age of twelve he had amassed seventy of Hank's records and could sing them by heart. In his teen years he started forming groups and singing doo-wop music on the streets of New York and eventually in clubs around his neighborhood.

Answer: Mohawk

In early 1957 Dion auditioned for Bob and Gene Schwartz. The duo had recently formed Mohawk Records. Dion recorded a single for them backed by Dragon label recording artists The Timberlanes. Released as Mohawk Records catalog number 105, the single contained the songs "Out In Colorado" and "The Chosen Few". "The Chosen Few" became a minor regional hit. Hugo Montenegro produced the record and directed the Glen-Spice Orchestra on the release. Relocating to Los Angeles in the early sixties, Hugo went on to be a prolific television and screen composer. Among his theme credits are "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly".

Answer: I Wonder Why

In 1958 Mohawk had followed up Dion's single "The Chosen Few" with "Tag Along" and "We Went Away". The songs had little success. Allen Sussel then partnered with Bob and Gene Schwartz and Laurie Records was formed. They immediately signed Dion, who insisted on recording with his own backup group. Dion recruited Carlo Mastrangelo and Freddy Millano, who had been members of a gang called the Imperial Hoods. Along with Angelo D'Aleo they became the Belmonts, named after Belmont Avenue. "I Wonder Why" was their first recording and it broke nationally.

The boys appeared soon on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand". Other hits followed such as "No One Knows" and "Don't Pity Me". Their biggest hit came in 1959 when "A Teenager in Love" went to number five.

Answer: He couldn't afford a ticket.

The success of their records won Dion and The Belmonts a place on the "Winter Dance Party" tour along with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. After playing at Clear Lake, Iowa, Dion decided that he could not afford the $36 cost of a flight to the next show.

The bass player on the tour was a young Waylon Jennings. Jennings gave his seat on the plane to The Big Bopper, who had the flu. When the tour got to the next stop in Fargo, North Dakota, an unknown local singer named Bobby Vee was hired as a replacement for Buddy Holly.

The Belmonts decided they could make it on their own and in the summer of 1960 they broke with Dion. Their first single on Laurie was "We Belong Together," but it failed to catch on. The Belmonts then released a dozen singles on the Sabrina label in 1964. Sales were not impressive.

Their records include "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "Come On Little Angel."

Answer: Alone With Dion

By the end of 1960 Dion had recorded his first solo album titled "Alone With Dion". A single cut from the album, "Lonely Teenager" rose to number 12 on the Billboard 100. He chose not to use his last name on his recordings as a solo artist. After "Lonely Teenager" he released "Havin' Fun" and "Kissin' Game" which received a cool reception.

He teamed up with songwriter Ernie Maresca and with a backing group called the Del-Satins he began recording a string of solo hits. Ernie had begun his career singing and writing songs in a group called The Regents, who had a hit with "Barbara Ann". Ernie's composition "No-One Knows" came to the attention of Dion who had recorded it when he was with The Belmonts. Ernie had his own minor hit on the Seville label with "Shout Shout, Knock Yourself Out" in 1962.

Answer: Runaround Sue

"Runaround Sue" was co-written by Dion and Ernie Maresca. "The Wanderer", "Lovers Who Wander" and "Donna the Prima Donna" were other songs written by Dion and Maresca or simply Maresca. "The Wanderer" peaked at number two. "Donna the Prima Donna" reached number six and "Lovers Who Wander" made it to number three.

Answer: Columbia

Dion was the first rock and roll artist ever signed to the Columbia label. The first single, Leiber and Stoller's composition "Ruby Baby", reached number two. He followed up with "Donna the Prima Donna" and "Drip Drop" which both reached number six in 1963.

Despite the objection of Columbia, Dion shifted to a more bluesy style and covered songs such as "Hoochie-Coochie Man" and "Spoonful". Although skillfully produced by Tom Wilson with Al Kooper on keyboards, the blues covers were not commercial ventures. Before long, problems with drug addiction combined with the British Invasion phenomenon caused him to enter a period of limited commercial success.

Answer: Sit Down Old Friend

"Sit Down Old Friend" features several songs with only Dion and his guitar. The next record he released was the anti-drug single "Your Own Backyard." Neither sold well and Dion reunited with the Belmonts. They played a show at Madison Square Garden in 1972 which spawned the "Reunion" album. Dion took advantage of the exposure to frequent TV variety shows.

In the mid-Seventies he recorded the Phil Spector-produced "Born to Be with You" album, but it was only released in the U.K.

Answer: The Wanderer

His autobiography, "The Wanderer", was published in 1988. Dion returned to his rock and roll roots in June, 1987, with a series of sold out concerts at Radio City Music Hall. In 1989 he recorded "Yo Frankie" which was produced by Dave Edmunds. Appearing on the project were Paul Simon, Lou Reed, and k.d. lang. "In the Still of the Night" was a minor hit that resulted from the project.

In 1990 Dion toured with Dave Edmunds, Graham Parker, and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. In the mid-90s Dion formed the short-lived group The Little Kings with Scott Kempner and Frank Funaro of the Del Lords and Mike Mesaros of the Smithereens. Dion was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Answer: Purple Haze

In 1968 Dion relocated to Miami with his wife and daughter and approached Laurie Records for a new contract. Laurie agreed on the condition that he record "Abraham, Martin and John". The song went to number four and kept Dion in the spotlight. He followed the song with a cover of "Purple Haze" which flopped. Dion also made a transition into non-secular music, recording such religious-themed albums as "Only Jesus".

He became involved with prison ministry and drug addiction recovery in Florida. In January, 2006, he released the Grammy-nominated CD "Bronx in Blue" containing blues and country standards.

He followed it up with his 2007 release, the blues album "Son of Skip James".