Dion DiMucci With the Belmonts: 1957-1960 How did he end up in the Belmonts? Bob and Gene Schwartz also signed Dion's friends, the Belmonts, (Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano, and Angelo D'Aleo), a vocal group named for nearby Belmont Avenue, Who else was signed? teamed them, with Dion singing lead. Did they release an album? Their initial hit was followed by "No One Knows" and "Don't Pity Me," which also charted the Billboard Top 100. What was their initial hit? No One Knows How did no one knows do on the charts? charted the Billboard Top 100.
Did he break with the Belmonts in 1960?
Did Dion DiMucci break with the Belmonts in 1960?
Bob and Gene Schwartz also signed Dion's friends, the Belmonts, (Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano, and Angelo D'Aleo), a vocal group named for nearby Belmont Avenue, and teamed them, with Dion singing lead. The new group's breakthrough came in early 1958, when "I Wonder Why" (on their newly formed "Laurie" label) made No. 22 on the U.S. charts. Dion said of the Belmonts; "I'd give 'em sounds. I'd give 'em parts and stuff. That's what 'I Wonder Why' was about. We kind of invented this percussive rhythmic sound. If you listen to that song, everybody was doing something different. There's four guys, one guy was doing bass, I was singing lead, one guy's going 'ooh wah ooh,' and another guy's doing tenor. It was totally amazing. When I listen to it today, oftentimes I think, 'man, those kids are talented.'"  Their initial hit was followed by "No One Knows" and "Don't Pity Me," which also charted the Billboard Top 100. This success won a place for Dion and the Belmonts on the ill-fated "The Winter Dance Party" tour with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), Frankie Sardo, and other performers. On February 3, 1959, after a concert stop in Clear Lake, Iowa, Holly and others decided to charter a flight to the next venue rather than travel on the tour bus. Dion was invited to accompany the group but decided that he did not want to spend $36 for the flight, as it was the same monthly rent his parents paid for his childhood apartment and he couldn't justify the indulgence. The plane crashed, killing all on board; Holly, Valens, Richardson, and the pilot Roger Peterson. Dion and the Belmonts continued on the tour, along with Frankie Sardo, while Bobby Vee, then an unknown artist, performed in Holly's place at the very next concert. Later, Jimmy Clanton, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian were added to replace the other now-deceased headliners.  Dion and the Belmonts' next single, "A Teenager in Love," was released in March 1959, eventually hitting No. 5 on the U.S. pop charts and No. 28 in the UK. The group's biggest hit, "Where or When," was released in November of that year, and reached No. 3 on the U.S. charts. However, in early 1960, Dion checked into hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful. There were musical, personal and financial differences between Dion and members of the Belmonts, and in October 1960, Dion decided to quit for a solo career. By the time of their breakup, all eight Laurie releases had charted on the Hot 100. CANNOTANSWER
in early 1960, Dion checked into hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens.
Dion Francis DiMucci (born July 18, 1939), better known simply as Dion, is an American singer and songwriter whose music has incorporated elements of doo-wop, rock, R&B and blues. Initially as lead singer of Dion and the Belmonts, and then in his solo career, he was one of the most popular American rock and roll performers of the pre-British Invasion era. He had 39 Top 40 hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a solo performer, with the Belmonts or with the Del-Satins. He is best remembered for the singles "Runaround Sue", "The Wanderer", "Ruby Baby" and "Lovers Who Wander", among other hits.

Dion's popularity waned in the mid-1960s. Toward the end of the decade, he shifted his style and produced songs that were more mature and contemplative, such as "Abraham, Martin and John". He remained popular in the late 1960s until the mid-1970s, and continues making music. During the 1980s, Dion produced several Christian albums, winning a GMA Dove Award in 1984 for the album I Put Away My Idols. He returned to secular music in the late 1980s with Yo Frankie (1989). Between the mid-2000s and 2021, Dion released six chart-topping blues albums. Critics who had dismissed his early work, labeling him as a teen idol, praised his later work and noted the influence he has had on other musicians.

A Grammy-nominated artist, Dion has released nearly 40 albums and scored eight Top 10 hits (ten including the Belmonts) on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Early life 
Dion was born to an Italian-American family in the Bronx, New York. As a child, he accompanied his father, Pasquale DiMucci, a vaudeville entertainer, on tour, and developed a love of country music – particularly the work of Hank Williams. He also developed a fondness for the blues and doo-wop musicians he heard performing in local bars and on the radio. His singing was honed on the street corners and local clubs of the Bronx, where he and other neighborhood singers created a cappella riffs.
 
In early 1957, he auditioned for Bob and Gene Schwartz for their short-lived Mohawk Records label. They asked Dion to sing a song which had been arranged by Hugo Montenegro and recorded featuring Vic Damone doing vocals. At first Dion refused, stating the song would sound like something his old fashioned parents would listen to, but the Schwartzes convinced him to give it a try. The backing vocals were by a group called "the Timberlanes", whom Dion had never met. The resulting single, "The Chosen Few", was released under the name "Dion and the Timberlanes", and became a minor regional hit. Dion himself stated in 2019 during an interview at "Crashing the Party" (a radio program related to Norton Records in Brooklyn, New York) that "The Chosen Few" hit the Top Ten locally in Boston and enabled him to perform this song on American Bandstand where the kids at the show started screaming during his performance, which gave him his first impression of being a record star. Writing about this experience later, in his autobiography, The Wanderer, Dion said that he had never met the Timberlanes and did not even know who they were. "The vocal group was so white bread, I went back to my neighborhood and I recruited a bunch of guys – three guys – and we called ourselves Dion and the Belmonts."

Career

Beginnings with the Belmonts: 1957–1960 

Bob and Gene Schwartz signed Dion's friends, the Belmonts (Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano, and Angelo D'Aleo), a vocal group named for the Belmont, Bronx neighborhood, and teamed them up with Dion singing lead. The new group's breakthrough came in early 1958, when "I Wonder Why" (on their newly formed Laurie Records) made No. 22 on the U.S. charts. Dion said of the Belmonts; "I'd give 'em sounds. I'd give 'em parts and stuff. That's what 'I Wonder Why' was about. We kind of invented this percussive rhythmic sound. If you listen to that song, everybody was doing something different. There's four guys, one guy was doing bass, I was singing lead, one guy's going 'ooh wah ooh,' and another guy's doing tenor. It was totally amazing. When I listen to it today, oftentimes I think, 'man, those kids are talented.'"

Their initial hit was followed by "No One Knows" and "Don't Pity Me", which also charted the Billboard Top 100. This success won a place for Dion and the Belmonts on the ill-fated "The Winter Dance Party" tour with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), Frankie Sardo, and other performers. On February 3, 1959, after a concert stop in Clear Lake, Iowa, Holly and others decided to charter a flight to the next venue rather than travel on the tour bus. Dion was invited to accompany the group but decided that he did not want to spend $36 for the flight, as it was the same monthly rent his parents paid for his childhood apartment and he could not justify the indulgence. The plane crashed, killing all on board: Holly, Valens, Richardson, and the pilot Roger Peterson. Dion and the Belmonts continued on the tour, along with Frankie Sardo, while Bobby Vee, then an unknown artist, performed in Holly's place at the very next concert. Later, Jimmy Clanton, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian were added to replace the other now-deceased headliners.

Dion and the Belmonts' next single, "A Teenager in Love", was released in March 1959, eventually hitting No. 5 on the U.S. pop charts and No. 28 in the UK. The group's biggest hit, "Where or When", was released in November of that year, and reached No. 3 on the U.S. charts. However, in early 1960, Dion checked into hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful.  There were musical, personal and financial differences between Dion and members of the Belmonts, and in October 1960, Dion decided to quit for a solo career. By the time of their breakup, all eight Laurie releases had charted on the Hot 100.

Solo stardom and touring worldwide: 1960–1964 
By the end of 1960, Dion produced his first solo album on Laurie Records, Alone with Dion, released in 1961. The single "Lonely Teenager" rose to No. 12 in the US charts. The name on his solo releases was simply "Dion". Follow-ups "Havin' Fun" and "Kissin' Game" had less success, and the signs were that Dion would drift onto the cabaret circuit. However, he then recorded an up-tempo number co-written with Ernie Maresca with a new vocal group, the Del-Satins. The record, "Runaround Sue", stormed up the U.S. charts, reaching No. 1 in October 1961, and No. 11 in the UK, where he also toured. "Runaround Sue" sold over a million copies, achieving gold disc status.

For the next single, Laurie promoted the A-side, "The Majestic", but it was the B-side, Maresca's "The Wanderer", which received more radio play and climbed swiftly up the charts to reach No. 2 in the U.S. in February 1962 and No. 10 in the UK. The 1976 re-release made the UK Top 20.

By the end of 1961, Dion had become a major star, touring worldwide and making an appearance in the Columbia Pictures musical film Twist Around the Clock. In 1962, he followed with a string of singles he wrote or co-wrote including "Lovers Who Wander" (No. 3), "Little Diane" (No. 8), "Love Came to Me" (No. 10). He also had successful albums with Runaround Sue and Lovers Who Wander.

At the end of 1962, Dion moved from Laurie to Columbia Records. He was the first rock and roll artist signed to the label, which was an anomaly considering that its then-A&R director, Mitch Miller, loathed that particular genre of music. The first Columbia single, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's "Ruby Baby" (originally a hit for the Drifters) reached No. 2, while "Donna the Prima Donna" and "Drip Drop" (another remake of a Drifters hit) both reached No. 6 in late 1963. (Dion also recorded an Italian version of "Donna the Prima Donna" using the identical backup vocals.) His other Columbia releases were less successful, and problems with his drug addiction and changing public tastes, especially the British Invasion, saw a period of commercial decline.

Belmonts reunion and renewed contract: 1965–1968 
Following a European tour, Dion returned to the U.S. and was introduced to classic blues by Columbia's John Hammond. To the consternation of his management, he began recording more blues-oriented material, including Willie Dixon's "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Spoonful", but these releases – some produced by Tom Wilson, with Al Kooper on keyboards – were not commercially successful. In 1965, still with Columbia, Dion formed a new group to back him, The Wanderers, composed of John Falbo on guitar, Pete Baron (Pete Falciglia) on bass, and Carlo Mastrangelo of the Belmonts on drums. They made national appearances on Dick Clark's, Where The Action Is, and The Lloyd Thaxton Show. A number of self-penned tracks were recorded and released unsuccessfully as singles, and did not appear in album format until years later. In June 1965 he recorded fellow Columbia Records's contemporary Bob Dylan's composition "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" a half-year before Them (featuring Van Morrison)'s hit version.

In 1966–67, Dion briefly reunited with the Belmonts, recording the LP Together Again for ABC Records. The album was unsuccessful, despite one classic self-penned song, "My Girl the Month of May". Two singles were released from the LP. While neither charted in the United States, they fared better in the UK. "My Girl The Month of May" entered the Radio London "Fab 40" at No. 9 the week of December 25, 1966. A 'turntable' hit at London underground clubs like Middle Earth, the disc received a lot of play from pirate radio DJ's John Peel and Kenny Everett. The follow up, "Movin' Man", reached No. 17 on the "Radio London" charts on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1967. "My Girl The Month of May" was later covered by English artists Alan Bown in 1967, and Island Records artists The Bunch (featuring Sandy Denny and other members of Fairport Convention) in April 1972. During their brief mid-60's reunion, Dion and the Belmonts appeared on the popular Clay Cole Show performing "Berimbau" and "My Girl The Month of May", and occasionally performed at local New York City clubs such as "The Mardi Gras" on Staten Island (April 29, 1967) before disbanding. While Dion's career appeared to be nearing an end, he still retained enough credibility to be, along with Bob Dylan, one of only two rock artists featured on the album cover of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967.

In April 1968, Dion experienced what he identified as a powerful religious transformation. After getting clean once again from heroin addiction, an experience he documented in his 1970 song "Your Own Backyard", he approached Laurie Records for a new contract. They agreed on the condition that he record the song "Abraham, Martin & John", written by Dick Holler (also the writer of the Royal Guardsmen's "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron") in response to the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, and those of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy during the spring of 1968. The success of this song (released by Dion in August 1968 and later recorded by many others including Marvin Gaye) which reached No. 4 in the US charts and No. 1 in Canada, resuscitated Dion's career. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.

Mature and Christian music period: 1969–1986 
For the next few years, Dion's music became radically different, moving to more contemplative and mature material. He released several albums essentially as a singer-songwriter, to moderate sales, moving to the Warner Brothers label in 1969.

There followed a live reunion show with the Belmonts at Madison Square Garden on June 2, 1972, which was recorded and released as a live album by Warner. A year later, in 1973, Dion and the original Belmonts performed once more, doing a sold-out concert at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, New York. However, no recording of the 1973 reunion was released. This was followed in 1975 by the album Born to Be with You produced by Phil Spector. The album was a commercial failure, but has been subsequently praised by such artists as Jason Pierce of Spiritualized and Pete Townshend of The Who with the track "Only You Know" being sampled by Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker for his single "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time" from his 2006 solo album Jarvis.

In 1978, Dion released an album drawing on many of his teenage influences, Return of the Wanderer, another commercial failure.

In December 1979, there was a radical spiritual change in Dion, who had become a born again Christian. Thereafter, his recordings for several years were in a contemporary Christian vein, in which he released five albums on the DaySpring Records label, a division of Word Records in Waco, Texas. These albums reflecting his evangelical Christian convictions were Inside Job (1980), Only Jesus (1981), I Put Away My Idols (1983) which charted at No. 37, Seasons (1984), Kingdom in the Streets (1985) and Velvet & Steel (1986). Several singles were successfully released to Christian radio, notably "Still in the Spirit" from Kingdom in the Streets.

In 1984, Dion won the GMA Dove Award (Christian Music Award) for the album I Put Away My Idols. He was also nominated for Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male for the same album.

On September 24, 1985, Dion was a guest on 100 Huntley Street.

Return to secular music and RRHOF induction: 1987–1999 
In 1987, Dion agreed to do a concert of his old hits at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The two disc CD of this concert was released in 2005, featuring concert photos by Dion's friend, Michael J. Friedman. This concert helped free him to celebrate both his past and his future, and led to a series of special appearances, including a fundraiser for homeless medical relief. There he shared the stage with fans such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Lou Reed, all of whom cited Dion as one of their prime influences.

Dion's autobiography, The Wanderer: Dion's Story, co-authored by Davin Seay, was published in the late-1980s.

In 1989, DiMucci returned to rock music with the contemporary album Yo Frankie, which included appearances by Paul Simon, Lou Reed, k.d. lang, Patty Smyth and Bryan Adams. Produced by Dave Edmunds (who also played guitar on the album), "Yo Frankie has a sharp sound while never losing sight of Dion's soulful, doo-wop voice." Overall, "the relevant and nostalgic statement from an artist who helped forge rock & roll's first wave" found his way back on radio and in music videos during this period (both on VH1 and MTV), as well as touring.

Dion was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) in 1989 (with an introduction by Lou Reed). Controversially, when Dion's solo induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame occurred, the other original members of the Belmonts (Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano, and Angelo D'Aleo) were not inducted. A January 3, 2012 Billboard magazine article stated: "There was strife between DiMucci and Belmonts members, who were not pleased when DiMucci was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame without them in 1989."

DiMucci joined Scott Kempner and Frank Funaro of the Del-Lords and Mike Mesaros of the Smithereens in a short-lived band called Little Kings. A live album was later released, but not widely circulated or promoted.

Grammy Hall of Fame and blues success: 2000–2019 
Dion has released several albums with contemporary rock artists. His Déjà Nu album in 2000 found him covering Bruce Springsteen, a major follower over the years. He joined Springsteen onstage in Miami in 2002 for a performance of "If I Should Fall Behind" from Dream on Fire.

In 2002, Dion was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "Runaround Sue". He continues to perform songs from his albums live, including a concert in 2004 being recorded for release on DVD.

In January 2006, Dion released Bronx in Blue, an album of blues and country standards, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. It peaked at No. 2 on the Top Blues Albums chart. In November 2007, Dion issued a follow-up album titled Son of Skip James, which peaked at No. 4 on the Top Blues Albums chart.

In October 2008, DiMucci released Heroes: Giants of Early Guitar Rock, an album of his covers of early rock and roll songs he considers seminal to the genre. The album includes versions of songs originally recorded by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash, and many other early rock guitarists.

In October 2009, Dion performed "The Wanderer" with Paul Simon at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert.

An audiobook and paperback by Dion and Mike Aquilina, titled Dion: The Wanderer Talks Truth (Stories, Humor Music), was published in April 2011. DiMucci shares stories about The Bronx in the 1950s, how he ended up on the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and his travels with Sam Cooke in the Jim Crow South.

Dion released Tank Full of Blues on January 24, 2012. It peaked at No. 3 on the Top Blues Albums chart.

While touring on April 5, 2015, Dion performed "Donna the Prima Donna" live in Las Vegas. On July 11, 2015, he held a concert in Westbury, New York.

In 2015, Dion released the single "New York Is My Home" with Paul Simon. Dion had previously worked with Simon on his 1989 hit "Written on the Subway Wall". The single was followed by the album New York Is My Home, released February 12, 2016. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Top Blues Album chart.

Dion planned four concerts in the U.S. during early 2016 and was invited as a keynote speaker for the 2016 SXSW in Texas. He spoke on the topic A Conversation with Dion: Rock's Enduring Voice on March 17, 2016.

Dion appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on April 8, 2016.

In May 2017, Dion released Kickin' Child: The Lost Album 1965 from Norton Records, containing songs recorded in 1965 when he was with Columbia Records but were not previously released. Also in May 2017, Richard Barone's Sorrows & Promises: Greenwich Village in the 1960s was released, which included Dion performing a duet of his 1964 song "The Road I'm On (Gloria)" with Barone. The album is a celebration of the New York City scene that Dion was part of during that pivotal era.

Recent albums with KTBA Records: 2020–present 
In June 2020, Dion released Blues with Friends via Keeping the Blues Alive Records (KTBA), a new record label created by Joe Bonamassa and Roy Weisman for Dion and other blues musicians to showcase their talents. The album features Van Morrison, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and others (including liner notes by Bob Dylan). A digital album (and a double vinyl record set), Dion released a music video for every song from the album on his website and social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart (9 weeks at No. 1 and 59 weeks total). It also charted in United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Australia.

American Songwriter magazine honored Dion's "Song for Sam Cooke (Here in America)" as the "Greatest of the Great 2020 Songs".

Dion also released two Christmas songs in 2020: "Hello Christmas" (featuring Amy Grant) and "You Know It's Christmas" (featuring Bonamassa). Both songs were co-written with Mike Aquilina. Music videos were produced for both songs.

Dion's song "Blues Comin' On" (with Bonamassa) from Blues with Friends was nominated for a 2021 Blues Music Award.

In November 2021, Dion released Stomping Ground (with music videos), which includes extensive liner notes written by Pete Townshend. Except for a cover of "Red House", the songs were written by Dion and Aquilina. Multiple guest artists participate on the album. The album became Dion's second No. 1 blues album.

The Wanderer musical 
On October 13, 2011, an industry-only reading of a new play about Dion's life was performed in New York City.

In a December 9, 2011 article from The New York Times, Dion and his collaborator (writer/director Charles Messina) discussed details about the project – titled The Wanderer: The Life and Music of Dion – which will focus on the years between 1957 until the late-1960s, and will feature more than 20 songs from that era as well as new/original music. In the article, Dion gave his perspective on the story: "You know, I always saw my story as a young Sopranos with great music and a Rocky Graziano Somebody Up There Likes Me ending. It's a story of redemption. A rock and roll redemption story!"

DiMucci revealed that Michael Wartella would be starring in The Wanderer on December 16, 2017. There was a reading of the musical on November 2, 2017 while working on it continued. On December 4, 2019, it was announced that former New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre would star as Johnny, Michael Wartella as Dion, and Christy Altomare as wife, Susan. The first performance was scheduled to start on May 28, 2020, at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening performance was rescheduled to March 24, 2022.

Personal life 
Dion lives in Boca Raton, Florida and New York City.

In the late 1990s, Dion visited his old Bronx parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and returned to Catholicism. Sparking Dion's reversion to Catholicism was "a chance viewing of The Journey Home program on EWTN."

As a practicing Roman Catholic and having struggled with a heroin addiction during his youth, Dion has been involved in prison religion, reaching out to men going through drug recovery. 

DiMucci was a member of the American board of directors for Renewal Ministries in 2004.

Dion appeared on The Journey Home and discussed his wanderings from Catholicism to Protestantism and back again on May 1, 2006.

Selective discography 

With the Belmonts
 Presenting Dion and the Belmonts (1959) 
 Wish Upon a Star with Dion and the Belmonts (1960) 
 Together Again (1966)
 Live at Madison Square Garden 1972 (1973) 

Solo albums
 Alone with Dion (1961)
 Runaround Sue (1961)
 Donna the Prima Donna  (1963) 
 Dion (1968)
 Suite for Late Summer (1972)
 Born to Be with You (1975)
 Streetheart (1976)
 I Put Away My Idols (1983) 
 Yo Frankie (1989)
 Son of Skip James (2007)
 Blues with Friends (2020)
 Stomping Ground (2021)

References

External links 

 
Comprehensive Rolling Stone profile
The Spiritual Journey of the Wanderer Who Came Home By Dion Dimucci

 Dion the Wanderer, Back In Blue (an article at NPR.com)

1939 births
Living people
American male singers
American people of Italian descent
American male pop singers
American folk singers
American rock singers
Musicians from the Bronx
American performers of Christian music
Laurie Records artists
Columbia Records artists
Singers from New York City
Dion and the Belmonts members
Doo-wop musicians
Catholics from New York (state)
Fred Milano (August 26, 1939 – January 1, 2012) was an American doo-wop singer. Born in the Bronx, New York, he was a member (second tenor) of The Belmonts who became successful in the late 1950s as Dion and the Belmonts, and in the early 1960s. The Belmonts got their name from the street that Milano lived on, Belmont Avenue.

Life
He had participated in every one of the Belmonts' recording sessions dating back 54 years. Dion DiMucci said of his death; "I was shocked, obviously, because it was so sudden. It was already in stage four when he found out there was anything wrong with him. It hit hard because a relationship like we had, it’s ingrained in you. We knew each other from our teenage boyhoods; even though we weren’t close and didn’t talk in later years, what we went through together made us like family. He and the Belmonts — they were the very best. Freddie was almost like a genius with vocal harmony. I was humbled to sing with Freddie, Carlo and Angelo."

In 2000, Dion and the Belmonts were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Milano died on January 1, 2012, from lung cancer in New York, at the age of 72.

Discography

Singles
 Mohawk Records 
 "Santa Margherita" / "Teen-Age Clementine" (1957) - The Belmonts
 "Tag Along" / "We Went Away" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
 Laurie Records 
 "I Wonder Why" / "Teen Angel" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "No One Knows" / "I Can't Go On (Rosalie)" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "Don't Pity Me" / "Just You" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "A Teenager in Love" / "Ive Cried Before" (1959) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "A Lover's Prayer" / "Every Little Thing I Do" (1959) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "Where or When" / "That's My Desire" (1960) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "When You Wish upon a Star" / "Wonderful Girl" (1960) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "In the Still of the Night" / "A Funny Feeling" (1960) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "We Belong Together" / "Such A Long Way" (1961) - The Belmonts
 "Story Teller" / "A Brand New Song" (1975) - The Belmonts
 Sabrina/Sabina Records 
 "Tell Me Why" / "Smoke From Your Cigarette" (1961) - The Belmonts
 "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" / Searching For A New Love" (1961) - The Belmonts
 "I Need Someone" / "That American Dance" (1961) - The Belmonts
 "I Confess" / "Hombre" (1962) - The Belmonts
 "Come On Little Angel" / "How About Me" (1962) - The Belmonts
 "Diddle-Dee-Dum" / "Farewell" (1962) - The Belmonts
 "Ann-Marie" / "Ac-Cent-Tuate-The-Positive" (1962) - The Belmonts
 "Let's Call It A Day" / "Walk On Boy" (1963) - The Belmonts
 "More Important Things To Do" / "Walk On Boy" (1963) - The Belmonts
 "C'mon Everybody" / "Why" (1963) - The Belmonts
 "Nothing In Return" / "Summertime" (1964) - The Belmonts
 United Artists Records 
 "I Don't Know Why, I Just Do" / "Wintertime" (1965) - The Belmonts
 "Today My Love Has Gone Away" / "(Then) I Walked Away" (1965) - The Belmonts
 "To Be With You" / "I Got A Feeling" (1965) - The Belmonts
 "You're Like A Mystery" / "Come With Me" (1966) - The Belmonts
 ABC Records 
 "My Girl The Month of May" / "Berimbau" (1966) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "Movin' Man" / "For Bobbie" (1967) - Dion and the Belmonts
 Dot Records 
 "She Only Wants To Do Her Own Thing" / "Reminiscing" (1968) - The Belmonts
 "Have You Heard-The Worst That Could Happen" / "Answer Me My Love" (1969) - The Belmonts
 Strawberry Records 
 "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" / "Voyager" (1976) - The Belmonts
 Miasound Records 
 "Let’s Put The Fun Back In Rock n Roll" / "Your Mama Ain’t Always Right" (1981) - The Belmonts with Freddy Cannon

Albums
 Presenting Dion and the Belmonts (1959)
 Wish Upon A Star with Dion and the Belmonts (1960)
 Together Again (1967) - Dion and the Belmonts
 Summer Love (1969) - The Belmonts
 Cigars, Acappella, Candy (1972) - The Belmonts
 Reunion (1973) - Dion and the Belmonts

References

External links
 The Belmonts official website

1939 births
2012 deaths
American people of Italian descent
American male pop singers
People from the Bronx
Deaths from lung cancer
Deaths from cancer in New York (state)
Dion and the Belmonts members
Belmont, Bronx The Belmonts are an American doo-wop group from the Bronx, New York, that originated in the mid-1950s. The original group consisted of Angelo D'Aleo (born February 3, 1940), Carlo Mastrangelo (October 5, 1937 – April 4, 2016), and Fred Milano (August 26, 1939 – January 1, 2012). They took their name from Belmont, the Bronx neighborhood in which they lived, known as the Little Italy of the Bronx. There were several stages in their history, including the 1958–60 period with Dion DiMucci (born July 18, 1939) when the group was named Dion and the Belmonts. At this time Mastrangelo sang the bass parts, Milano the second tenor, D'Aleo the falsetto (first tenor), and DiMucci did lead vocals.

Career

1955 to 1960
The Belmonts' first single, "Teenage Clementine"/"Santa Margherita," was recorded in 1957 for arranger Irving Spice's New York based Mohawk Records. Unlike subsequent recordings, Milano did the lead vocal on the "A" side, "Teenage Clementine", and D'Aleo sang lead on "Santa Margherita". Also recording on the label was Dion DiMucci, whose first release was backed by a group he never met, the Timberlanes. DiMucci added the lead vocal to existing pre-recorded tracks, and the final composition was released as "The Chosen Few"/"Out In Colorado", by "Dion and the Timberlanes" (Mohawk 105). After receiving some airplay on the East Coast, the single was later leased to the larger Jubilee Records label for better distribution, although it failed to chart nationally.  DiMucci states that he never knew then, or now, who the Timberlanes were: "The vocal group was so white bread, I went back to my neighborhood and I recruited a bunch of guys, three guys, and we called ourselves Dion and the Belmonts."

Initially billed as "Dion with the Belmonts", the new group recorded "We Went Away"/"Tag Along" on the Mohawk label before leaving for newly formed Laurie Records. Known thereafter as "Dion and the Belmonts", their first Laurie release, "I Wonder Why" (Laurie Records first release, Laurie 3013), was recorded at New York's Bell Sound Studios and brought them immediate success. Released the first week of May 1958, it appeared on the national charts two weeks later, rising to number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. It led to their first appearance on the nationally televised American Bandstand show, hosted by Dick Clark. The group followed with the ballads "No One Knows" (Laurie 3015, number 19) and "Don't Pity Me" (Laurie 3021, number 40), which were also performed on Bandstand. In 1959 Dion and the Belmonts were part of the historic and tragic Winter Dance Party tour that lost three performers in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa--Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. DiMucci was offered a seat on the plane by Holly, but thought the fee of $36 was too much for such a short plane ride and declined. Photographs taken at the concert the night before the accident show Holly filling in on drums for The Belmonts, whose drummer had frostbite. Being a skilled drummer already, Carlo Mastrangelo filled in on drums for several of the other acts, evidenced by photographs also. After the plane crash Bobby Vee, then an unknown, was asked to perform in Holly's place. Later Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Jimmy Clanton were hired to finish the tour in place of the three deceased headliners.

Shortly after the tragedy, the quartet hit again with "A Teenager in Love" (Laurie 3027). It became their first release to break the Top Ten, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. D'Aleo went to great efforts to contribute his famous falsetto to the song. "I was in the navy," the singer recalls. "I got a call from Fred. 'We've gotta finish up the album. You've gotta get over here'. So I got a flight and went in. One of the last songs we did was "A Teenager in Love". I listened and said, 'What? I hope this song doesn't go out as a single. It's a terrible song'. I hated the song. Later on, I'm heading to South America with the fleet and my friend in the radio shack said, 'Hey, get down here and listen to this!' It was "A Teenager in Love". In seven days, it became a hit!". Their appearance on "American Bandstand" was without D'Aleo, however, who returned to duty with the navy. At various times the group performed without him. During one national TV appearance on Clark's Saturday night program ("Live from the little theater on 44th Street in Manhattan"), he was filmed in his navy uniform, arriving just in time for the filming session. There were several picture sleeves from this era that did not picture D'Aleo, although he performed on all recordings.

After their top-ten success with "A Teenager in Love", Dion and the Belmonts recorded four more singles. By the time of their breakup, all eight Laurie releases charted Billboard. Every "A" side made the top 40, except "Every Little Thing I Do" (Laurie 3035), which made the top 50. Their biggest hit and largest-selling record, "Where or When (Laurie 3044)," climbed to number 3 on the Billboard charts in early 1960. The "B" side, "That's My Desire", highlighted D'Aleo's soaring falsetto. It also received considerable airplay, especially in the New York City area. This time their appearance on American Bandstand once again featured all four members.

See also Dion and the Belmonts

1960 to 1971
Due to musical differences between DiMucci and the Belmonts, Dion decided to leave the group. "They wanted to get into their harmony thing, and I wanted to rock and roll," said Dion. "The label wanted me doing standards. I got bored with it quickly. I said, 'I can't do this. I gotta play my guitar'. So we split up and I did 'Runaround Sue', 'The Wanderer' and 'Ruby Baby'". D'Aleo recalls, "The breakup? I loved that guy. But there was a reason why he left. Our reason was we wanted to stick to light rock 'n' roll and standards, and he wanted to get into the blues. He said, 'I want to do blues and country. I think it's time to go our separate ways'. We agreed. There was no shouting or anything like that. We had 'Tell Me Why'. Dion had 'Runaround Sue' and 'The Wanderer'. He took off. Not the route he wanted, though. He loved the blues. But when you put out a single and people buy it, they're telling you what they want you to sing." DiMucci was also struggling with a heroin problem at the time. At the height of the group's success his drug dependency worsened. When "Where or When" peaked, he was in a hospital detoxifying. Now a trio, they continued as "The Belmonts," with Mastrangelo singing lead. In January 1961, before leaving the Laurie label, they released their own rendition of "We Belong Together" (Laurie 3080) covering the Robert and Johnny classic. The song bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100, charting at number 108. Although not a hit, it is still valued today by record collectors.

After leaving Laurie Records The Belmonts continued to record throughout the 1960s on the Sabina, United Artists and Dot labels. The trio had six songs on the US Top 100 between 1961-63. Their greatest, "Tell Me Why," released in May 1961 on the Sabrina (aka Sabina) label, reached #18. Subsequent Billboard-charted songs included "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (number 57), "I Need Someone" (number 75), "Come On Little Angel" (number 28), "Diddle-Dee-Dum" (number 53) and "Ann-Marie" (number 86). While not charting nationally, other singles receiving airplay included, "Such A Long Way" (4 surveys), "I Confess" (4), "More Important Things To Do" (3), "Hombre" (2), "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" (2), "Walk On Boy" (1),  "Let's Call It A Day" (1), "I Don't Know Why, I Just Do" (1), and the medley: "Have You Heard/The Worst That Could Happen" (1). The song "C'mon Everybody (Do You Wanna Dance)" received enough airplay on NYC radio station WINS that it was re-recorded and used as the sound-bite introduction for deejay Murray the K's "Triple Play" segments. Overall, including Billboard Hot 100 singles, The Belmonts charted 518 radio station surveys across the US during the 1960s. The group's rare and highly collectible album from this period, The Belmonts: Carnival of Hits, was released on October 1, 1962, and consisted solely of their Sabina recordings. These songs have often been reissued in combination with other "Dion and the Belmonts" recordings through the years.

After the hit "Come On Little Angel," a split developed within the group concerning the finances of their privately owned label, Sabina Records. Mastrangelo said, "That was the worst move we ever made. If we didn't do that, we would have been together all these years. It was very sad, like leaving my two brothers." He was replaced by Frank Lyndon on lead and Warren Gradus doing Carlo's vocal parts and playing guitar. . Mastrangelo attempted a solo career on Laurie Records, releasing four singles under the name "Carlo". He was backed vocally by the uncredited Tremonts (aka The Demilles). His first single, "Baby Doll", received considerable airplay in Florida, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, but didn't make the national charts. It was followed by an up-tempo rock 'n' roll version of the classic "Mairzy Doats", which was very different from the original. His final Laurie recording, "Stranger in My Arms", was written especially for him by hit maker Ernie Maresca ("The Wanderer", "Runaround Sue"). However, the flip, "Ring-A-Ling", was a favorite of New York disc jockey Murray Kaufman, aka "Murray the K". He featured it on his weekly "Record Review Board Contest" and it clearly won as the best new release. It received airplay on New York radio stations WINS and WENE, but also failed to chart nationally. After leaving Laurie Records Mastrangelo became DiMucci's occasional songwriting partner, backup vocalist and drummer in the group "Dion and the Wanderers", which also featured John Falbo on guitar and Pete Baron on bass. Between 1964 and 1966 they released three uncharted singles for Columbia Records, making national appearances on Dick Clark's Where The Action Is and The Lloyd Thaxton Show.

In late 1966 the three original Belmonts—Mastrangelo, Milano and D'Aleo—reunited with DiMucci and recorded the album Dion & The Belmonts "Together Again", for ABC Records. Produced by "DiMont Music", Mastrangelo played drums and DiMucci contributed guitar to reduce the need for additional session musicians. Two singles were released from the LP, "My Girl The Month of May" / "Berimbau" and "Movin' Man" / "For Bobbie". Neither charted in the US but fared better in England. "My Girl The Month Of May" broke the "Radio London Fab 40" top ten at number 9 the week of December 25, 1966. One reviewer stated, "Some British radio DJ's gave it a lot of airplay at the time." The follow up, "Movin Man", reached number 17 on the Radio London charts on March 26, 1967. "My Girl The Month Of May", was later covered by English artists Alan Bown in 1967 and The Bunch (featuring Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention) in April 1972. During their brief mid-'60s reunion, Dion and the Belmonts appeared on the popular The Clay Cole Show performing "Berimbau" and "My Girl The Month of May" and occasionally performed at local New York City clubs such as The Mardi Gras on Staten Island (April 29, 1967) before disbanding. After DiMucci left the Belmonts, Frank Lyndon returned. Lyndon continued as lead singer for the next five years. When Frank Lyndon left they became a quartet with Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Dan Elliott  (née Rubado, ex-The Monterays, Glenn Miller Orchestra) who joined in 1974.

In 1968 D'Aleo and Milano composed the lyrics for a vocal version of the instrumental theme to the Mission:Impossible TV series, which was recorded by the Kane Triplets and released on United Artists Records.

1972 to 1990
Mastrangelo, D'Aleo, Milano, Gradus and DiMucci reunited on June 2, 1972, at the Felt Forum in New York, for a Richard Nader "Rock and Roll Revival" concert. Nader said, "From our very first rock ‘n’ roll revival I must have received 100, 200, 300 letters at every single show asking, ‘Can’t you get Dion and the Belmonts back together?’ It took three years, but in 1972 we got both Dion and the Belmonts to say 'yes'." With only one brief rehearsal behind them, the eagerness with which the audience awaited their arrival on stage could be gauged from both Nader’s ecstatic introduction and the booming audience reaction that greeted it. Singer Billy Vera recalled the moment: "It was like an earthquake; you could literally feel the stage shake." The live performance was released as an album by Warner Brothers titled Dion and The Belmonts – Reunion: Live at Madison Square Garden 1972. The following year all four original members reunited once again, doing a sold-out concert at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, New York. No recording of the 1973 reunion was ever produced, nor were there any studio recordings made with the Belmonts and Dion, as DiMucci was still contracted to Warner as a solo artist. In 1972 the Belmonts (Milano, Gradus, D'Aleo and friends) also recorded an a cappella album, "Cigars, Acappella, Candy", for Buddah Records. It was distinguished for its medley of 13 doo-wop tracks called "Street Corner Symphony." Mastrangelo and Lyndon, their two former lead singers from the 1960s, contributed backing vocals. Mastrangelo also sang lead vocals on the songs, "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" and "We Belong Together". Concurrently, Mastrangelo released a progressive jazz-rock album on Thimble Records titled Pulse... featuring Carlo Mastrangelo. It received a small amount of airplay on New York rock stations WPLJ and WLIR, but overall was unsuccessful.

In 1975 the Belmonts (Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Elliott) released one single on Laurie, followed by the album Cheek to Cheek for Strawberry Records. Gradus and Elliott also moonlighted on Laurie Records in the late 1970s under the alias Foreign Intrigue, releasing three singles.

In 1981 the Belmonts  (Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Elliott) recorded a single with Freddy Cannon titled, "Let's Put the Fun Back in Rock and Roll," for MiaSound Records. The song charted for four weeks, peaking at number 81 on Billboard. With their newly charted record, The Belmonts and  Cannon appeared on Solid Gold and The Mike Douglas Show to promote the single. Later in 1981 The Belmonts and Cannon joined forces in New York with Bo Diddley on guitar. Together they recorded the track "Shake It Sally," released in 1982 on the Rock 'n Roll Traveling Show album (Downtown D-20001). They also had a musical role in H. B. Halicki's 1982 movie The Junkman.

In the mid-'80s DiMucci also recorded with a group, consisting of Mastrangelo, Louis Colletti and Tommy Moran. Colletti and Moran were backing vocalists on DiMucci's 1992 album Dream On Fire. Meanwhile, D'Aleo temporarily left the group, leaving the trio of Milano, Gradus and Elliott. D'Aleo said, "There was a time when I got mentally fatigued and tired. I actually left the group for four years. Maybe you want to call it 'burnt out.' Then Fred, my buddy, called me, and said, 'Ang-what are you doing? Come on.' I've been back ever since". Art Loria also rejoined the group joined for singing duties in the mid- to late '80s. Loria, Milano and Gradus were involved in projects and recordings such as performing under the moniker "Happy Daze" in the 1960s and 1970s. Loria was later active in The Del-Satins, The Jive Five, Larry Chance and the Earls and The Doo Wop All Stars; he died on October 23, 2010.  In 1988 the Belmonts released a Christmas album titled "The Season Of Harmony" rereleased on a different label in 1990 as"The Belmonts Acappella Christmas", with songs written by George David Weiss. They later appeared with Weiss on The Joe Franklin Show to promote it.

DiMucci was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.  The other original members of the Belmonts (Mastrangelo, Milano and D'Aleo) were not inducted, and , have yet to be.

1994 to present
In 1994, a lawsuit was filed by Fred Milano and Warren Gradus claiming trademark infringement against DiMucci, Mastrangelo, and D'Aleo. In May 1991, Milano and DiMucci entered into an agreement in which DiMucci agreed to appear with Milano and others, performing concerts under the name Dion and the Belmonts, but only if certain conditions were met. Milano claimed he negotiated arrangements for as many as five concerts, but DiMucci refused to honor the agreement. The suit alleged that while DiMucci had agreed to reunite with Milano, he had also simultaneously agreed to take part in a reunion with Mastrangelo and D'Aleo. Milano and Gradus won the lawsuit.

In 2000, Dion and the Belmonts were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2003 The Belmonts created an internet radio station called "The Belmonts Internet Radio" playing all 50's and 60's and featuring Don K. Reed's original Doo Wopp Shop on Sunday evenings.

In December 2009, the Belmonts released the Christmas single "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle". In 2009 The Belmonts also released the CD The Belmonts Anthology Vol.1 Featuring A Hundred Pounds of Clay. "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" was released as a CD single in 2010.  In 2016 The Belmonts released a single called "Welcome Me Back Home" written by Warren Gradus.  It was Blitz Magazines #1 single of that year and is still receiving thousands of digital streams 

The Belmonts, featuring Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Elliott, performed 50 to 100 shows each year until 2011. Milano, who had participated in every one of the Belmonts' recording sessions dating back 54 years, died on January 1, 2012, at the age of 72. DiMucci said of his passing: "I was shocked, obviously, because it was so sudden. It hit hard because a relationship like we had, it’s ingrained in you. We knew each other from our teenage boyhoods; even though we weren’t close and didn’t talk in later years, what we went through together made us like family. He and the Belmonts—they were the very best. Freddie was almost like a genius with vocal harmony. I was humbled to sing with Freddie, Carlo and Angelo."

In October 2012, the Belmonts (D'Aleo and Gradus) joined former New York City disc jockey Don K. Reed as featured guests on Vito Picone's (The Elegants) long-running, Staten Island-based cable TV show Let The Good Times Roll.

Mastrangelo died on April 4, 2016. Former member Art Loria, died from an accident at his home in Naples, Florida, in 2010. Former member Bob Coleman is still active performing with Larry Chance and the Earls. Dan Elliott died on June 23, 2019.  Warren Gradus is continuing to perform as the Belmonts with other individuals.

Their sound is analogist very distinct, and has been analogist with the New York City Doo Wop - Bronx "sound". A more recent example of using a song to set the time frame of for a movie is using "I Wonder Why" for the opening in the major motion picture A Bronx Tale. The song once heard is linked along with on screen visual that sets a direct correlation to 1950s Americana. In 2016, the Belmonts released a recording entitled "Welcome Me Back Home" that has become a standard among the 1950s and 1960s crowd garnering hundreds of thousands streams.

Charted singles by Dion & The Belmonts

Charted singles by The Belmonts

Singles discography: label, A side / B side, release No., year of release.

 Mohawk Records:
 "Teenage Clementine" / "Santa Margherita" [Mohawk 106] (1957) - The Belmonts
 "Tag Along" / "We Went Away" (1958) - Dion with the Belmonts

 Laurie Records: 
 "I Wonder Why" / "Teen Angel" [Laurie 3013] (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "No One Knows" / "I Cant Go On (Rosalie)" [Laurie 3015] (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "Don't Pity Me" / "Just You" [Laurie 3021] (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "A Teenager in Love" / "I've Cried Before" [Laurie 3027] (1959) - Dion and the Belmonts
  "Every Little Thing I Do" / "A Lover's Prayer" [Laurie 3035] (1959) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "Where or When" / "That's My Desire" [Laurie 3044] (1960) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "When You Wish upon a Star" / "Wonderful Girl" [Laurie 3052] (1960) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "In the Still of the Night" / "A Funny Feeling" [Laurie 3059] (1960) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "We Belong Together" / "Such A Long Way" [Laurie 3080] (1961) - The Belmonts
 "Baby Doll" / "Write Me A Letter" [Laurie 3151] (1962) - Carlo (Mastrangelo solo)
 "Little Orphan Girl (My Heart Is Your Home)" / "Mairzy Doats And Dozy Doats" [Laurie 3157] (1963) - Carlo (Mastrangelo solo)
 "Five Minutes More" / "The Story Of Love" [Laurie 3157] (1963) - Carlo (Mastrangelo solo)
 "Ring A Ling" / "Stranger In My Arms" [Laurie 3227] (1964) - Carlo (Mastrangelo solo)
 "Time Is Wastin'" / "Ghost Man" [Laurie 3448] (1968) - Endless Pulse (actually Carlo Mastrangelo solo)
 "You Turned Me Over" / "Just You" [Laurie 3468] (1968) - Endless Pulse (actually Carlo Mastrangelo solo)
 "Nowhere Chick" / "Shake Me Wake Me" [Laurie 3488] (1969) - Endless Pulse (actually Carlo Mastrangelo solo)
 "Story Teller" / "A Brand New Song" [Laurie 3631] (1975) - The Belmonts
 "Hey Baby Stay" / "We Gotta Get Out" [Laurie 3663] (1977) - Foreign Intrigue (Warren Gradus and Dan Elliott)
 "Celebrate" / "Jaimie" [Laurie 3669] (1978) - Foreign Intrigue (Warren Gradus and Dan Elliott)
 "Medley" / "You're The Only Girl For Me" [Laurie 3698] (1980) - Dion and Dion & The Belmonts / Ernie Maresca

 Sabrina/Sabina Records:
 "Tell Me Why" / "Smoke From Your Cigarette" [Sabrina 500] (1961) - The Belmonts
 "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" / Searching For A New Love" [Sabrina 501] (1961) - The Belmonts
 "I Need Someone" / "That American Dance" [Sabina 502] (1961) - The Belmonts
 "Hombre" / "I Confess" [Sabina 503] (1962) - The Belmonts
 "So Wrong" / "Broken Heart" [Sabina 504] (1962) - Pete Barin with (unlisted) The Belmonts
 "Come On Little Angel" / "How About Me" [Sabina 505] (1962) - The Belmonts
 "Time To Dream (Brahms Lullaby)" / "My Love Is Real" [Sabina 506] (1962) - as Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays
 "Diddle-Dee-Dum (What Happens When Your Love Has Gone)" / "Farewell" [Sabina 507] (1962) - The Belmonts
 "Ann-Marie" / "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" [Sabina 509] (1962) - The Belmonts
 "That Background Sound" / "Now It's All Over" [Sabina 510] (1963) - as Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays
 "Lookout For Cindy" / "The Loneliest Gut In The World" [Sabina 512] (1963) - Pete Barin with (unlisted) The Belmonts or The Del Satins
 "Walk On Boy" / "Let's Call It A Day" [Sabina 513] (1963) - The Belmonts
 "Little Boat" / "Polly" [Sabina 515] (1963) - by The Moonshiners (uncredited on the A-Side "Little Boat" are The Belmonts)
 "More Important Things To Do" / "Let's Call It A Day" [Sabina 517] (1963) - The Belmonts
 "C'mon Everybody (Do You Wanna Dance)" / "Why" [Sabina 519] (1963) - The Belmonts
 "Earth Angel" / "Don't Look At Me" [Sabina 520] (1964) - Frank Lyndon (solo)
 "Nothing In Return" / "Summertime Time" [Sabina 521] (1964) - The Belmonts
    
 United Artists Records:
 "I Don't Know Why, I Just Do" / "Wintertime" [UA 809] (1965) - The Belmonts
 "Today My Love Has Gone Away" / "(Then) I Walked Away" [UA 904] (1965) - The Belmonts
 "To Be With You" / "I Got A Feeling" [UA 966] (1966) - The Belmonts
 "You're Like A Mystery" / "Come With Me" [UA 50007] (1966) - The Belmonts
    
 ABC Records:
 "My Girl The Month of May" / "Berimbau" (1966) - Dion and the Belmonts
 "Movin' Man" / "For Bobbie" (1967) - Dion and the Belmonts
    
 Dot Records:
 "She Only Wants To Do Her Own Thing" / "Reminiscences" (1968) - The Belmonts
 "Have You Heard-The Worst That Could Happen" / "Answer Me, My Love" (1969) - The Belmonts
    
 Strawberry Records:
 "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" / "Voyager" (1976) - The Belmonts

 E. M. Records:
 "The Wanderer" / "Blind Date" [EM-1001] (1977) - Foreign Intrigue (Warren Gradus and Dan Elliott)
    
 MiaSound Records:
 "Let's Put The Fun Back In Rock N Roll" / "Your Mama Ain't Always Right" (1981) - The Belmonts with Freddy Cannon

 Avery Records: 
 "Welcome Me Back Home" - The Belmonts

Albums, by year of release
1959: Presenting Dion and the Belmonts (with Dion DiMucci) 
1960: Wish Upon a Star (with Dion DiMucci)
1962: Carnival of Hits
1966: Together Again (with Dion DiMucci)
1969: Summer Love
1972: Cigars, Acappella, Candy
1973: Reunion (live, with Dion DiMucci)
1975: Cheek to Cheek
1982: Rock 'n' Roll Traveling Show
1988: The Season of Harmony (A Cappella Christmas)
2009: Anthology, Vol. 1

Song sample

References

External links
 The official Belmonts website
 Dion & The Belmonts I
 Dion & The Belmonts II
 Dion & The Belmonts III

Doo-wop groups
American rhythm and blues musical groups
ABC Records artists
United Artists Records artists
Laurie Records artists
Dot Records artists
Belmont, Bronx
Musical groups from the Bronx