[18] Dion continued making music after his popularity waned in the mid-1960s,[19][20] and toward the end of the decade he shifted his style with more mature and contemplative songs, such as "Abraham, Martin and John".

[16] A Grammy-nominated artist,[26] Dion has released over 40 albums, and scored eleven Top 10 hits (including with the Belmonts) on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In a 2019 interview at "Crashing the Party" (a radio program related to Norton Records in Brooklyn, New York), Dion stated that "The Chosen Few" hit the Top Ten locally in Boston, which enabled him to perform this song on American Bandstand.

Bob and Gene Schwartz signed Dion's friends, the Belmonts: Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano, and Angelo D'Aleo.

This success won a place for Dion and the Belmonts on the ill-fated "The Winter Dance Party" tour with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), Frankie Sardo and other performers.

On February 3, 1959, after playing a concert in Clear Lake, Iowa, Holly decided to charter an overnight flight to the next venue rather than travel on the tour bus.

Dion was invited to accompany him but decided that he would not spend $36 ($382 in 2024) for the flight, as he considered 36 an unlucky number ($36 was the same monthly rent his parents paid for his childhood apartment) and he could not justify the indulgence.

Dion and the Belmonts continued on the tour, along with Frankie Sardo, while Bobby Vee (then an unknown artist) performed in Holly's place at the very next concert.

[45] For the next single, Laurie promoted the A-side, "The Majestic", but it was the B-side, Maresca's "The Wanderer", which received more radio play and climbed swiftly up the charts to reach No.

[39] By the end of 1961, Dion had become a major star, touring worldwide and making an appearance in the Columbia Pictures musical film Twist Around the Clock.

He was the first rock 'n' roll artist signed to the label, which was an anomaly considering that Mitch Miller (its then-A&R director) loathed that particular genre of music.

"[46] Dion's first Columbia single, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's "Ruby Baby" (originally a hit for the Drifters) reached No.

His other Columbia releases were less successful, and problems with his drug addiction[47] and changing public tastes, especially the British Invasion, saw a period of commercial decline.

To the consternation of his management, he began recording more blues-oriented material, including Willie Dixon's "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Spoonful".

A 'turntable' hit at London underground clubs like Middle Earth, the disc received a lot of play from pirate radio DJ's John Peel and Kenny Everett.

While Dion's career appeared to be nearing an end, he still retained enough credibility to be, along with Bob Dylan, one of only two rock artists featured on the album cover of the Beatles' Sgt.

This concert helped free him to celebrate both his past and his future, and led to a series of special appearances, including a fundraiser for homeless medical relief.

[66] There he shared the stage with fans such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Lou Reed,[67] all of whom cited Dion as one of their prime influences.

[69] In 1989, DiMucci returned to rock music with the contemporary album Yo Frankie, which included appearances by Simon ("Written on the Subway Wall"/"Little Star"),[70] Reed, k.d.

[71][72] Produced by Dave Edmunds (who also played guitar on the album), "Yo Frankie has a sharp sound while never losing sight of Dion's soulful, doo-wop voice.

"[73] Overall, "the relevant and nostalgic statement from an artist who helped forge rock & roll's first wave" found his way back on radio and in music videos during this period (both on VH1 and MTV), as well as touring.

"[80] In 1996, DiMucci joined Scott Kempner and Frank Funaro of the Del-Lords, and Mike Mesaros of the Smithereens, in a short-lived band called Little Kings.

[91] The album includes versions of songs originally recorded by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash, and many other early rock guitarists.

[92] In October 2009, Dion performed "The Wanderer" with Paul Simon at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert.

[107] The album features Van Morrison, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and others (including liner notes by Bob Dylan).

[101] In November 2021, Dion released Stomping Ground (with music videos),[126][127] which includes extensive liner notes written by Pete Townshend.

[135] In October 2024, he released a patriotic collaboration with Carlene Carter, titled "An American Hero" (along with music videos for singles from the album).

[141] In December 2019, it was announced that New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre would star as Johnny, Michael Wartella as Dion and Christy Altomare as wife Susan.

"[147] As a practicing Roman Catholic and having struggled with a heroin addiction during his youth,[148] Dion has been involved in prison religion, reaching out to men going through drug recovery.

[53] In 2009 he traced his detour into drugs and alcohol to the aftermath of the Buddy Holly plane crash: "You know they didn't have grief counseling in the Bronx.