Hi Everyone,
It seems “The Guys” are getting more active.They are rehearsing and recording and moving around Italy more. Il Volo is becoming more well known in Italy and about time, I think!! They also have just had some milestone anniversaries, more about that later!! Their North American Concert Tour starts soon, as if you all didn’t know THAT.
On May 18th Il Volo did a TV show in Catania, Sicily!
Keeping in the theme of singers of Italian heritge, how about looking at the career of Dion? I know alot of you remember him, don’t tell me (at least most of you) that you’re too young to remember! 🙂
DID YOU KNOW???
Dion Francis DiMucci (born July 18, 1939), better known mononymously as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter whose work has incorporated elements of doo-wop, pop oldies music, 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 more than a dozen Top 40 hits in the late 1950s and early 60s. He is best remembered for the 1961 singles, “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer”, written with Ernie Maresca.
Dion’s popularity waned in the mid-1960s, perhaps due to the public’s changing taste in pop music, and perhaps in part due to personal difficulties he had during this period. But 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 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, who had just formed Mohawk Records. They recorded Dion singing lead on a song which had been arranged by Hugo Montenegro and pre-recorded with everything but the lead vocals. 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. Writing about this experience later, in his autobiography, The Wanderer, Dion said that that he had never met the Timberlanes and didn’t 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.”
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.
inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. In April 1968, Dion experienced what he identified as a powerful religious experience. 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 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 and those of Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy during the summer of 1968. The success of this song – 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.
Dion was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
In October 2009, Dion performed “The Wanderer” with Paul Simon at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert.
Now a practicing Roman Catholic, Dion pursues prison ministry and reaches out to men going through addiction recovery. He is also a member of the American Board of Directors of Renewal Ministries. He currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida, and New York City.
DID YOU KNOW:
Piero enjoys spending time with his sister, Mariagrazia?
Gianluca tweeted that he was on his way to Sicily?
Ignazio took some time to have fun with his friends?
That this week is the third anniversary of Il volo’s 2nd appearance on American TV?
This is the third anniversary of Il Volo’s appearance on “American Idol”?
Lots of anniversaries and there will be many more in the years to come!!
DID YOU KNOW, A second concert at Taormina has been added on July 21st?
Here is a picture of a press conference in Taormina this morning.
On a sad note, popular crooner of the 50’s and 60’s and beyond, Jerry Vale, passed away on May 18th. He was a great favorite of mine.
Love and Luck Il Volo,we are anxiously waiting your return!
Linda 
Did you know that
“È la Solita storia del Pastore” – L’Arlesiana (Cilea)
Is what Piero is lately listening to in his iPod (and studies),
while Gian is listening to and enjoying the newest Michael Jackson released cd !
Music without frontiers !!
Probably Ignazio is racing again whether simulating or which I hope not for real
Hi L.
Igny seems to enjoy many aspects of life, he is due to participate in a soccer game soon…
Linda I don’t remember Dion. I am going to have to listen to some of his songs. When I hear them then I will clue in. probably. In the 1950’a I was listening to Nat King Cole & Johnny Mathis. I am also so sorry to hear of Jerry Vales passing I really liked his voice & songs.
I am exstatic about the success that the guys are having in Italy which I agree is about time & so looking forward to my first concert.
Great Job & great pictures.
Yes I read that I couldn’t believe my eyes. I would think not knowing how rough it could be that he would have to be careful how strenuous he could be playing.
I think he’s a rough and tumble boy and enjoys all those contact sports. He also loves car racing and airplanes. I’m sure in the years to come he will become even more adventurous!!
Yes I can see him becoming a pilot
Thanks Linda, I grew up in the same neighborhood as Dion I remember him riding around in his black convertible, I’m sure it was a thunderbird my husband was friends with the boys of the Belmont’s they played pool together in the pool room on Crotona Ave, love to you all. Maureen Perucca
On Tue, May 20, 2014 at 09:11 AM, Il Volo Flight Crew ~Share The Love wrote:
nurselin61 posted: ”
Hi Everyone,
It seems “The Guys” are getting more active.They are rehearsing and recording and moving around Italy more. Il Volo is becoming more well known in Italy and about time, I think!! They also have just had some milestone anniver”
Wonderful article, as always, Linda!
Thanks so much for doing the tribute to Jerry Vale earlier, before he passed on. Maybe he even saw it!
The Boys are spectacular and getting better! Who knew that was even possible?! Now we do!!
What a beautiful photo of Catania, Sicily!
Your parting photo of the Boys is one of my favs. What a fantastically handsome bunch! Besides being beyond world class singers!
BiG Smiles, as I think… Concert season is almost here!!
Jeanine, Compassion’s Doorway
Thanks for the Jerry Vale update. I once went to a 50th wedding anniversary party and he was the guest singer Brings back memories of my grandparents.
I remember Dion, Wanderer and Run Around Sue. Nice to know he’s still around and doing good deeds.
Jeanine and Loretta, they can’t get any better or any cuter! Just not possible! However, I vagley recall saying that before. A few times!
Loretta, see you soon!
Jeanine, wish I was seeing you soon! Vegas could happen….
Thanks, Marie!
Looking forward to another surprising “splash of cash” to seed money for a Vegas trip!
Meanwhile, I’m jazzed about June 6th coming up!
One of these days we’re gonna meet, Marie! Won’t that be amazing?!
All smiles,
Jeanine, Compassion’s Doorway
As much as I would like Vegas to happen I wish that a more convenient place & more central city for everyone could be realized. There are a lot of people that wouldn’t be able to make Las Vegas because of the distance including me. It would be a stretch.
Hope tp see you also Marie & meet the other Board members your with. I’ve seen a picture of Kelly & Elaine so I think I would know them to see them.
Loretta
They are always having really cheap deals to go to Vegas, and that usually includes the hotel.They think you are going to spend all your money at the casinos, so they subsidize the flights. You can get really good deals to go there.
You are exactly right, If you can refrain from Gambling, Las Vegas can be one of the most inexpensive vacations you will ever take… The strip has so many hotel deals… Especially if you do not book the really big names, like the bellagio, Venetian, or Aria…Some of the nice Casino Hotels on the strip can start under $50 a night during the week… Air fares are less expensive to Las Vegas than most other cities as well… Food can be very inexpensive too if you read your tourist books and get coupons or find dinner specials… Most hotels have them to lure Gamblers in… I hope that someday they do play Las Vegas…After all the biggest stars in the world have played Las Vegas in the past… Il Volo a world famous singing sensation… Their name up in lights in Las Vegas will make Las Vegas shine without needing any sings to light up the city… Il Volo can do it all by themselves… They are Electrifying after all…
Ahhhh… electrifying! The perfect word, Jeannette!
Jeanine
Thank you Penina & Jeannette for that interesting news. Sine I don’t travel by plane I didn’t know about the perks.
I have never gone there Loretta. But I have a neighbor who goes once a year in the winter will her sisters. I think most of them live in the GTA but they go to Vegas together and have a great time. They are all in their seventies or late sixties and love to get to a warm place in the winter that is not so expensive.
Loretta, you’re being awfully nice for someone who wants to steal my boy away at the concert! I’m not trusting the new nice Loretta!
Back off you two, no one is stealing MY boy!!
I have always been nice Marie & you included Linda neither one of you have had him to steal because he has always been MINE so you know him & I have always had an understanding. He has been showing you how wonderful he really is but has always been WITH ME. ssoorryy
You are older now Loretta and tend to be delusional. It’s a shame about Linda too.
I have a strange feeling that the 3 of us have been delusional for years!
Hmmm now Linda how many years are you referring to. For me I have NEVER been delusional regarding my Sweethearts especially you know who. Now Linda you maybe be living in the past. intending to bing it forward into the future with you know who. Marie you ARE delusional to think you have ANY chance with you know who since I AM in the picture. Now sit back & watch me work my magic.
I some how think we will never get this resolved. I suggest we just go on in our own little worlds 🙂
Sit back hell! Get out of my way! Both of you!
Don’t get too close Marie my walker might accidentally trip you
I sure hope security is good for these concerts. Do I have to alert Ignazio’s mother?
Don’t worry Linda I have learned eniough Italian to tell his Mom about Marie & to beware. Her & I got an understanding. My potion has worked wonders
On me that is
Loretta, I hope that potion turns you into hair gel. That’s the only way you’ll get close to my Brown-eyed Prince!
Linda, tattletale!
Challenge of 2014: a picture of the three of you together with Ignazio. Andiamo, Igny! But hopefully they won’t break any bones trying to push the other out of the way…..
But they might break the camera! LOL!
Ok Il Volo Flight Crew “this thing of ours” just know that on June 6, I have dibs on Piero and Helen (who’s coming with me) has dibs on Ignazio. Understood? Ok I’m kidding. I know how to share. 😉
We’ll see Marie, We’ll see.
It’s nice to see Gerri that some people know how to share.
Won’t share! Don’t have to, he’s all mine! Have a nice concert Gerri. Piero’s all yours, and Mary’s, and Debbie’s, and….
I can hardly wait to see THAT sharing!!
This is so funny. That comment about the hair gel is priceless. I had posted only once before about going to the Milwaukee concert with my son. I had bought tickets in March and wasn’t sure about how to get tickets to the m & g, but I found the link on Tuesday night and did get the tickets. I’m so thrilled that I will get to meet the guys.
Hey Linda D., Ignazio and I will see you there!
I recently came across something very interesting. when Ignazio said recently in an interview that Gianluca was almost there in understanding Sicilian, I decided to enquire further and here is in a nutshell what I found. ” Sicilian is a completely separate language with it’s own complex history and schools of literature. it is not a dialect of Italian. which is the language based on the dialect of Tuscany. Sicilian is a romantic language with influences from greek, Arabic, norman French, Spanish and recently Italian. Italian has been recently confirmed as a separate language. the further north you go in Italy, the less likely someone will be able to understand Sicilian. Sicilian differs from Italian in many ways:Phonetically, grammatically, vocabulary etc. eg. Italian has 7 vowels. Sicilian has only 5. everyone who says that Sicilian is merely a dialect of Italian had better check their history sources”.
I found that this clarified for me why Ignazio and Piero got along so well, and sometimes I felt that they left Gianluca out. now I understand that this is not the case, rather they had to learn to understand each other and their different customs. we all think that Italy is Italy and everybody is the same. I guess once again Il Volo is teaching me History. how much these boys have taught me is amazing
That is really interesting. Now it makes more sense to me that there once was a Kingdom of Sicily–a completely separate country from Italy.
Thanks Deanne–wow we are all learning all kinds of things!
Thanks Deanne. I knew none of that. I think we should all get a history college credit!
Prince of the Kingdom of Sicily. Works for me!
With all the different languages they have had to learn, I don’t know how they do it all.
Marie, I will see you in Milwaukee. I can’t wait!
@Maureen Perucca – I grew up in the Bronx. I lived on Mapes Avenue & I went to St. Martin of Tours. Dion’s Aunt & Uncle and their two children lived one floor below us. I was married in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, as were my parents. I grew up with opera because my mom had an incredible soprano voice and knew all of the arias. I have been following Il Volo on PBS. My favorite is Piero. I remember when I first saw him. My first thought was how much voice could come out of that skinny body. When I heard him sing, I was mesmerized. I am a 66 year old woman. If I was their age, I would have followed them on their tours. The only thing I have in common with Piero is that I am of Sicilian heritage. My grandparents came from a little town in Sicily called Gangi. I hope to one day be able to see one of their concerts. It is so refreshing to hear music that literally touches my soul again. To think they’ve barely scratched the surface of their talent. I wish them continued success. This blog is very nicely put together & I appreciate the people who were kind enough to share their experiences. It was also nice to know that the Bronx is REAL and other people have lived there. I wonder if Il Volo would enjoy Arthur Avenue. Maria