How cool! I love Dion. I always thought he was from Philly though. Still, what neat stories.


TIS

Dion, from Philly? You're killing me, TIS. He's only one of the most famous Bronxites EVER. And the most famous to ever come out of the Belmont section of the Bronx (next to me ).

You're probably thinking of Frankie Avalon or Fabian. They were both Italians from Philly, who had their stories loosely adapted in "The Idolmaker," one of my favorite "indy" films ever (Tommy Dee was based on Frankie Avalon, Cesare was based on Fabian). Of course, the producers of that film had the good sense to move the film to the Bronx. .

TIS, your nun story made me think of this :

Oh TIS, I definitely recall being hit with a ruler by the nuns. In fact, I remember the entire class being spanked one time - the entire class. And when you went home and told your parents, they were likely to repeat that discipline.

...and don't forget Bobby Rydell (nee Ridarelli), the third of the Dick Clark No-Talent Trinity. I saw Dion, with and without the Belmonts, at several Alan Freed R&R shows in the Fifties. But Frankie and Bobby appeared with Freed only once--to show their "versatility," Frankie blew a few notes on a trumpet, Bobby whacked at a drum kit for a few seconds. And that was before Frankie discovered Annette.

Dion had talent. He also had a storming drug problem that derailed his career. Lou Reed reveres him--he inducted Dion into the R&R Hall of Fame. Dion wailed at the end of Reed's "Dirty Boulevard."

All those guys - pompadore alley!

No doubt about that, TB, but he whupped it. He was one of the first rock and rollers to acknowledge his addiction (in his case, heroin). And this was in the mid '60s, when drug and alcohol problems were widely considered character flaws and not real problems. In other words, no "Celebrity Rehab" for Dion, so I give him credit. His career was never the same, but his life got a whole lot better.

And yeah, Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, even Roy Orbison (who was his contemporary), revered him.

TIS, the name "Dion and the Belmonts" came from Belmont Avenue in the Bronx, where the boys used to hang out on street corners and sing. They were on the Winter Dance Party tour, but Dion didn't want to spend the $36 to get on the ill-fated flight with Richie Valens and the Big Bopper.

I stand corrected on Dion's hometown state. I do remember for the BB Philly meet a couple years ago ((I think by the Philly Cheesebuger restaurant), there was painted pictures on the side of the building with Bobby Rydell and Frankie Avalon maybe???? Can't quite recall, but I swore Dion was one of them. (Also, if I'm not mistaken, my dad' favorite, Mario Lanza is from Philly as well.)

TB, I remember Dick Clark's shows. I think it was called "Calvecade of Stars?" If I recall, most were in the early 60's, a time in which I was a tad too young (12/13 or so) to attend so I never got to go to one. I would have loved to.

I am aware of Dion's drug problem, and I agree he is the most talented of the three TB mentioned. Actually, I didn't mind Bobby Rydell but never really was into Fabian. Maybe because he seemed like an Elvis clone and even then I knew there was only one Elvis.

And DC, I remember that Skit well, but was it Cheech & Chong, or Fireside Theater??? I think my husband and I had he record (or 8 track) Sister Mary Elephant.

TIS

Well, I just gave Dion the Bronx salute with a new avatar.

I have his greatest hits album back in Michigan. I love nearly all of his music, although I haven't heard him in years.

Didn't realize the story about him not wanting to pay airfare for the fateful Valenz flight. How lucky he must feel.

Great avator. I remember as a young girl in the early 60's he was a popular teen idol. I didn't realize he was Italian til years later, which is a plus IMHO.



TIS

Dick Clark's show was "American Bandstand." Dion may have appeared on that show, but Frankie, Bobby and Fabian were the trio that Clark launched via his show. Thse three were Philadelphians.

TB, I wasn't clear. I know American Bandstand. I was referring to a touring show of his (or at least had his name). It was in the early 60's. I thought it was Calvalcade of Stars, but might be mistaken. He always had several of the current top hitmakers (one time I almost went to see Chubby Checker).

TIS

There was the Dick Clark Saturday Beechnut show which ran from 1958-1960 I think.