Dion - Spoonful

Willie Dixon's classic is not even close to Donna The Prima Donna. It seems everyone was covering this song at this time.

Dion - Johnny B Goode

Columbia must have freaked as Dion started to move away from the slick pop sounds. I'm your Hoochie Coochie Man #113 (previous upload with Picture sleeve September 5, 2010) and this one (#71) were his last chart hits for Columbia. This was not Columbia had bargained for (lucky for us)

Dion - Donna The Prima Donna

Dion continued the hit ways but a change in musical direction was brewing. This was the last of the promo colored vinyl records on Columbia.

Dion - This Little Girl

Dion continued his hit streak with Columbia and they saw fit to issue his 2nd 45 also as a promo red vinyl 45 (#21). His 3rd release hit (#31) and Columbia issued it on a promo blue vinyl. I've seen references of it on Red but I doubt it.

 

Dion - Ruby Baby

Dion was in prime time- Columbia was moving into the Rock N Roll market and were banking on Dion, although they could not make up their mind if they wanted a rocker or a crooner. Luckily, Dion had ideas of his own. Right off the bat he hit a homer with this #2 smash. Do you like all the variations in my collection. There is reference to a compact 33 version. Does it exist??????

 

Dion - Lonely World

Laurie continued to bank on Dion until his Columbia output dried up (Lonely World #101, Shout #108). Several more 45's on Laurie stiffed. Dion returned to Laurie in the late 60's for his last top 10 hit (Abraham Martin and John) and a few more minor hits (Purple Haze and Both Sides Now)



 

Dion - Come Go With Me

Before Dion left for major label pastures he had one last hit in 1962 (Love Came To Me -#10), and while riding high with Columbia Laurie continued cranking out singles (Sandy- #21), and this previously issued album cut (Come Go With Me- #48).

Dion - Born To Cry

Dion continued his hit making ways with Lovers Who Wander (#3 in Billboard). Even the B side - tonight's post- was a hit (#42) (the Junkyard Dogs do a great version of tonight's posting).Laurie later reissued it but it went nowhere
Little Diane was a #8 hit with it's wild Kazoo solo. I found this copy when I was 14 or so at the Goodwill for a dime.

Dion - Runaway Girl

September 1961 - Dion's First #1 - I always liked the B side. And then of course you have the Wanderer...Dion moved away from being a crooner for these 2

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Dion - Somebody Nobody Wants

Dion continued his success in 1961 with this minor hit (#103) in Billboard. This song hit #73 in Cashbox but was only on the charts 3 weeks- flying off after hitting #73. I never understood how different Cashbox and Billboard could be on records.

Dion - Lonely Teenager

Dion spent some time in the hospital due to his Heroin habit while Where or When was riding the charts with the Belmonts. Later, in  October 1960 Dion went solo and immediately had a #12 hit with Lonely Teenager and was followed with 2 more top 100 hits in early 1961 (Havin Fun- #42, Kissin Game #82). Dion was being groomed as a crooner.

Dion - I Wonder Why

Dion. A man with a tremendous voice as strong today at 74 as it was at 16. A man who has transformed himself over and over again. A man of faith (watch some of the youtube videos on his experiences and beliefs), a man of second chances. I have been a fan of his music since I first heard Runaround Sue and Ruby Baby. This post will be a celebration to the man, and a daily  lead up to his July 18th birthday. We start obviously with the Laurie years and hist first hit (#22) in May 1958.
Dion and The Belmonts ended up with 9 Top 100 hits before Dion left to pursue a solo career.