SEARCH NEWS:

 

Trump Plaza hosts Dion concert

Born in the Bronx borough of New York City, Dion DiMucci developed a love of country music – particularly Hank Williams – and other blues and doo-wop stars he heard in local bars and on the radio.

In 1957, Mohawk records signed up Dion and his friends, The Belmonts, named after nearby Belmont Avenue. Their breakthrough together came in early 1958, when "I Wonder Why" made # 22 on the national U.S. charts, followed up with "No One Knows" and "Don't Pity Me" which were also chart hits.

Dion and The Belmonts success earned them a place on the "Winter Dance Party" tour with then-budding rock and roll idols, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. In February 1959, after playing in Iowa, Dion decided that he couldn't afford the cost of a flight to their next gig. That flight crashed, and Holly and the other stars were killed.

In March 1959, Dion and the Belmonts' released "A Teenager In Love", which made it to #5 in the U.S. pop charts. Their biggest hit, "Where or When", was released in November 1959, and reached #3 on the U.S. charts.

Striking out on his own, Dion had a string of Top 10 hits including "The Wanderer" and "Runaround Sue." In the turbulent era of the 1960s, he moved into a new phase with the folk-tinged hit single "Abraham, Martin and John," which was an ode to three fallen historical heroes.

Dion blends the best elements of doo wop, teen idol, and R&B styles. In January 2006, he released Bronx in Blue, an album of blues and country tunes, which was critically acclaimed and nominated for a Grammy award. In November 2007 he released a follow-up in similar vein, Son of Skip James.

Some of Dion's other hits include: "Lovers Who Wander," "Ruby Baby," and "Donna the Prima Donna."

Tickets are priced at $35 plus charity fee, and are available by either calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420, on line at ticketmaster.com, or in person at Trump Plaza Box Office. For box office hours and more information call (609) 441-6150.

< Gaming News