Biography

Dion and the Belmonts was a leading American vocal group of the late 1950s. The group formed when Dion DiMucci, lead singer, joined The Belmonts - Carlo Mastrangelo, bariton, Freddie Milano, second tenor and Angelo D'Aleo, first tenor, in late 1957. Their biggest hits are "Runaround Sue" and "Where or When" which was released in November 1959, and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This success won Dion and the Belmonts their first major tour in late 1958, with The Coasters, Buddy Holly and Bobby Darin, and this was followed up by the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. On 2 February 1959, after playing at the Surf Ballroom, Dion decided that he could not afford the $36 cost of a flight to the next venue. The plane crashed; Holly, Valens, The Big Bopper, and the pilot were killed on 3 February 1959. However, the tour continued, with Jimmy Clanton and Bobby Vee being added to the bill as replacements