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.
.
...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."
