Rock and Roll Hall of Famer DION DiMUCI is 78 today. He began with a group called The Timberlanes in the mid 1950s, but gained instant fame with a group named for Belmont Avenue in the Bronx - THE BELMONTS. Together, he and the group recorded several immensely popular tunes such as "I Wonder Why," "A Teenager in Love," "No One Knows," and "Where or When." In the early 60s, the Belmonts went their own way and had a few hits such as "Tell Me Why" and "Come on Little Angel," but Dion's choice to pursue a solo career proved to be a great one. Now backed by a new group called the Dell Satins (later known as the Brooklyn Bridge), Dion scored a long string of hits including "Runaround Sue," "The Wanderer," "Lovers Who Wander," "Lonely Teenager," "Love Came to Me," "Little Diane," "Donna the Prima Donna," "Drip Drop," "Ruby Baby," "This Little Girl of Mine" and "Sandy." After a brief lull in his career brought on by the British Invasion groups, Dion came roaring back with a new style and another Top Ten hit called "Abraham, Martin and John" in 1968. He continues to tour and please audiences today. Below - perhaps the earliest filmed performance by Dion and the Belmonts performing "I Wonder Why."

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