Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Dion Trivia Game | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Dion DiMucci found early success on the streets of New York as a doo-wop vocalist. Which particular borough of New York did Dion call home?

Answer: The Bronx

Dion DiMucci was an Italian-American singer who started his love of singing at an early age. His father was a vaudeville style singer who toured the east coast of the US, with little Dion in tow. It was during this time that Dion realized his love for singing and performing for others.

2. Of these groups, which one was a backing group for Dion?

Answer: The Belmonts

Because Dion was from the Belmont Avenue area of The Bronx, his group became known as The Belmonts. One of their earliest songs, "I Wonder Why", made it to number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was one of the earliest doo wop songs originating from The Bronx to have an impact on the national music scene. The incorrect answers were actual backing groups. Danny and The Juniors were a Philadelphia based group known for their hit "At the Hop". Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, based out of Detroit, found success with their hit "Work With Me, Annie". Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs were a great doo wop group originating from Nashville, Tennessee whose hit "Stay" remains the shortest song to ever top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song was only one minute and 39 seconds in duration. For those of you with the original version of the record, the label says 1:50 in duration, but it was originally timed incorrectly when the label was printed for the early releases.

3. Dion was on tour with Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens on February 2, 1959; the night the tragic plane crash occurred which took those talented artists from us. Dion had one of the first options to fly on that plane, but he decided against it. What was the reason he did not board the plane?

Answer: The cost of the plane ticket.

To fly on the plane which carried Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, he would have had to chip in $36 for his fare. That amount was the same amount his parents had paid for the rent of their apartment back in The Bronx, so he could not justify spending that kind money on such an extravagance.

The plane crash took its toll on Dion, but he continued on through to the end of the tour. Bobby Vee and Jimmy Clanton were added to complete the line-up so the tour could continue.

4. Every artist can't wait to get their first number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. For Dion, that milestone came in 1961. Which of these hits was Dion's first chart-topper?

Answer: Runaround Sue

"Runaround Sue" also made it to the number four spot on the US R&B chart. Dion co-wrote this song with Ernie Maresca, who had a hit of his own with "Shout Shout (Knock Yourself Out)". Dion's backing group on this song was the Del-Satins. "Runaround Sue" was ranked as the 342nd best song of all-time by "Rolling Stone" magazine.

5. Dion recorded a cover version of the song "Sea Cruise" for a movie soundtrack in 1990. Which movie was this for?

Answer: The Adventures of Ford Fairlane

"The Adventures of Ford Fairlane" was the 1990 release which featured Andrew Dice Clay as a "rock and roll detective" out to solve the murder of a popular singer. The soundtrack featured songs by Billy Idol, Motley Crue, Queensryche and Richie Sambora.

The movie wasn't exactly a hit. It received or was nominated for several Golden Raspberry awards, awards given to the worst of the worst of the movies.

6. Dion was on his way to becoming one of the most popular artists in the US when his career hit a major snag. What was it that nearly derailed Dion's music career?

Answer: Addiction to drugs

Dion had dabbled with drugs since his teenage years, but it was when he had to be checked into a rehabilitation center for his heroin addiction when his career was most affected. It was drugs that was the biggest factor that broke up Dion and the Belmonts. After Dion kicked the habit, he got right back on where he left off and continued making successful music.

7. The 1960s saw Dion hit the charts with several cover songs. Which of these songs was not covered by Dion?

Answer: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Dion covered "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man" (written by Willie Dixon, performed by Muddy Waters), "Johnny B. Goode" (Chuck Berry) and "Purple Haze" (Jimi Hendrix) during the 1960s, a decade which saw several artists covering other performer's songs.

8. Marillion, the progressive rock band from Buckinghamshire, England, recorded one of Dion's more popular songs on their acoustic "Unplugged at the Walls" album. Which song did Marillion cover?

Answer: Abraham, Martin and John

"Abraham, Martin and John" was a song written by Dick Holler and released by Dion as a single in 1968. Several artists have recorded cover versions of the song including Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Harry Belafonte and Emmylou Harris. Dion's version of the song reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was released on the Laurie record label.

9. In 1960, Dion recorded a cover version of a Disney classic. Which song was it?

Answer: When You Wish upon a Star

Dion had a Top 40 hit with "When You Wish upon a Star" in 1960 when his version reached number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The song originally appeared on the soundtrack to the Disney classic "Pinoccio" and was performed by Cliff Edwards.

10. Dino DiMucci was a part of the 1989 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class. He was inducted by a fellow New Yorker who had often cited Dion as an inspiration for his own music. Who gave the speech which ushered Dion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Answer: Lou Reed

Lou Reed was from Brooklyn instead of The Bronx, but he shared an appreciation of Dion that many artists from the tri-state area all felt. Dion was consistently mentioned as an influence or inspiration to many of the New York artists who followed him.

Source: Author ralzzz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Dion Quiz

Dion was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. This quiz will focus on his music and career, starting way back in the late 1950s.

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