Dion Artistfacts

July 18, 1939
Dion was born Dion Francis DiMucci to an Italian-American family in the Bronx, New York.
Dion started singing in doo-wop groups in the Bronx during the 1950s. His group, The Belmonts, had a string of hits, including "A Teenager In Love" and "I Wonder Why." These songs captured the youthful innocence and energy of the doo-wop era.
Dion was originally supposed to be on the plane that crashed and took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) on February 3, 1959. There was a coin toss between him and Valens for the last seat, and Dion won, but he couldn't afford the $36 cost of the flight, so he let Valens have his place.
In 1960, Dion went solo and explored a more rock and roll sound. His biggest hit, "The Wanderer," became an anthem for teenage rebellion and featured a signature saxophone solo. Other iconic solo tracks include "Runaround Sue" and "Love Came To Me."
Dion's path took a dramatic turn in April 1968. In a pivotal moment of self-reflection, he knelt down and pleaded with God to free him from his dependence on drugs and alcohol. This spiritual awakening marked a turning point, not just in his personal life, but also in his musical direction.
Following his religious epiphany, Dion shed his rock and roll persona and embraced a more introspective folk style, exploring themes of faith and social justice. His biggest hit during this period was "Abraham, Martin and John," a gentle ballad honoring the assassinated civil rights leaders Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy.
Dion's spiritual journey continued in December 1979, when he became a born-again Christian. The 1980s saw him delve deeper into Christian music, producing several albums that resonated with his newfound faith. He won a GMA Dove Award in 1984 for the album I Put Away My Idols.
Dion returned to the rock scene in 1989 with the album Yo Frankie. Since then, he has explored the blues, releasing a series of albums that demonstrate his musical versatility and enduring artistry.
In 1989, Lou Reed inducted Dion into The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. He entered just one year after The Beatles and Bob Dylan.
Dion's music has influenced countless artists across genres, from Bruce Springsteen to the Ramones. He's considered a pioneer of rock and roll and an icon of American music.
Dion has been married to Susan Butterfield since March 25, 1963. They have three daughters.
Dion was basically a juvenile delinquent. "I went to seven high schools. I kept getting kicked out," he told Mojo magazine. "My mother sent me to New Jersey to live with a disciplinary uncle. And I went to Bergenfield High for like six months and they kicked me out of the whole town because I got in so much trouble."

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