Dion Francis DiMucci, better known mononymously as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter whose work has incorporated elements of doo-wop, rock and R&B styles—and, most recently, straight blues.

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 with him solo, 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 his other hits.

Dion’s popularity waned in the mid-1960s. Toward the end of the decade, he shifted his style and produced songs with a more mature, contemplative feeling, such as “Abraham, Martin and John.” He became popular again in the late 1960s and into the mid-1970s, and he has continued making music ever since. Critics who had dismissed his early work, pegging him as merely a teen idol, praised his later work, and noted the influence he has had on other musicians.

Dion was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Selected Discography

Velvet And Steel

Dayspring Records 1986

Tracks: New Breed Of Man, You Need A Love, Treasure Of Love / You're My Child, Another Saturday Night In Heaven, Prayers, Simple Ironies, Just Talk To Him, I Love Jesus Now, Hymn To Him & There In Your Heart.


Musicians on the Velvet And Steel album: Dion DiMucci, Mark Baldwin, Billy Crockett, Jon Goin, Tom Hemby, Gordon Kennedy, Gary Lunn, Barry Beckett, Randy Hammel, Smitty Price, Keith Thomas, Mark Hammond, Bubba Smith, Mark Douthit, Dennis Solee, Cole Burgess, Mike Haynes, Sam Levine, Chris McDonald, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bev Darnall, Michael English, First Call, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Doana Kuper, Patti Leatherwood, Marti McCall, Jon Mohr, Chris Rodriguez, Keith Thomas, Mel Tunney & Greg X. Volz.

I Put Away My Idols

Dayspring Records 1983

Tracks: Here Is My Servant, Trust In The Lord, Day Of The Lord, I Put Away My Idols, Daddy, Very Soon, They Won't Tell You, Healing, Give It Up And Surrender & My Prayer For You.


Musicians on the I Put Away My Idols album: Dion DiMucci, George Terry, Phil Chen, Tim Devine, Joe Galdo, Walter Santos, Neil Bousanti, Paul Harris, Pamela Sessody, Chuck Kirkpatrick, John Sambataro & Kitty Woodson.

Only Jesus

Dayspring Records 1981

Tracks: Hearts Made of Stone, Train For Glory, The Best, Thank You Lord, Sweet Love Of Jesus, Sailing Ahead Of The Wind, It's Gonna Rain, Puttin' On My Crown, Only Jesus & Greater Is He.


Musicians on the Only Jesus album: Dion DiMucci, Tony Battaglia, George Gomez, Jeff Caeswell, Reed Arvin, Paul Harris, Ron Taylor, Joe Galdo, Charles Chalmers, Jeff Kirk, John Sambataro & Kitty Woodson.

Inside Job

Dayspring Records 1980

Tracks: I Believe (Sweet Lord Jesus), Old Souvenirs, He's The One, New Jersey Wife, Center Of My Life, Man In The Glass, The Thruth Will Set You Free, Sweet Surrender & Gonna Be Ready.


Musicians on the Inside Job album: Dion DiMucci, Tony Battaglia, George Perry, Paul Harris & Joe Galdo.

Streetheart

Warner Bros 1976

Tracks: The Way You Do the Things You Do, Runaway Man, Queen of '59, If I Can Just Get Through Tonight, More To You (Than Meets the Eye), You Showed Me What Love Is, Hey My Love/Oh the Night, I'll Give You All I've Got, Lover Boy Supreme & Streetheart.


Musicians on the Streetheart album: Dion DiMucci, Ben Benay, Dean Parks, Lee Sklar, Michael Omartian, David Kemper, Steve Barri, Gary Coleman, Victor Feldman, Steve Douglas, Nino Tempo, Ernie Watts, Chuck Findley, Dick Hyde, Steve Madaio, Sid Sharp, Kerry Chater, Phil Everly, Jim Haas, Myrna Matthews, Stormie Omartian, Luther Waters, Oren Waters, Ann White & Carolyn Willis.

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