Words and music by Dion Di Mucci and Earnest Maresca, arrangement by Jeff Funk. Who, you say? What song you talking about? Talking about Dion, of course, formerly of Dion & The Belmonts, who went solo in 1961 to pursue a more edgy brand of Rock & Roll, and on September 20 of that year released the iconic song that makes today
NATIONAL RUNAROUND SUE DAY!
Dion Dimucci was a Bronx kid who was the son of a Vaudeville entertainer, and a lover of Country Music, Doowop and the Blues, and his music would become a rocking distillation of those disparate musical genres.
He hit it big at only age 19 as lead singer of Dion & the Belmonts with the smash hit “I Wonder Why” in 1958, and a series of hit singles followed. The boyhood friends; Dion, Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano and Angelo D’Aleo, who started out singing under the street lights on the corners of the Belmont section of the Bronx before signing with Lauren Records, became international stars.
By 1961, Dion grew restless and embarked on a successful solo career, and “Runaround Sue” was his first #1 hit as a solo artist. This is an essential early Rock & Roll song, driven by Dion’s riveting vocals and pulsing with urgency and excitement. Give it a spin and try to sit still. It’s impossible, and you’re going to be humming it all day.
•Suggested Activities: Keeping away from Runaround Sue, whatever you do.