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Fred Milano Dead: Dion and the Belmonts Tenor Dies at 72
- Posted on Jan 3rd 2012 1:00PM by Jason MacNeil
Fred Milano, an original member of '50s pop group Dion and the Belmonts who rose to fame with hits like 'I Wonder Why' and 'A Teenager in Love,' died Sunday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 72.
"With everyone who loves the roots of Rock 'n' Roll, I'm mourning the loss of Freddie Milano," lead singer Dion DiMucci wrote on his Facebook page on Jan. 3 alongside an old photo of himself and Milano together.
"Fred played an important role in my younger life. He was a boyhood friend from the Bronx and one of the original members of Dion and the Belmonts. He was savvy with harmonies. We had our ups and downs through the years but that's how things go in families, even rock-and-roll families. I will always remain grateful for his contribution in 1958 & 59 -- may he rest in peace and rock on in heaven."
Milano was with the band -- who took its name from Belmont Ave. in their Bronx neighborhood -- from its infancy as the second tenor along with lead singer DiMucci, baritone vocalist Carlo Mastrangelo and first tenor Angelo D'Aleo. The group signed to Laurie Records and made inroads with the singles 'I Wonder Why,' 'No One Knows' and their biggest hit, 'A Teenager in Love.'
Watch Dion and the Belmonts perform 'A Teenager in Love'
A tour with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper followed during which DiMucci declined a seat on the infamous plane which crashed and killed all three singers in Clear Lake, Iowa in February, 1959.
In 1960, DiMucci left the group but the band continued as the Belmonts despite never achieving the same level of success. Dion and the Belmonts reunited in 1966 and again for a one-off live album in 1972.
Milano carried on in the group through its various lineup changes throughout the following decades up to recent years with a lineup that also include D'Aleo. Meanwhile, Milano also worked as a legal coordinator for the City of New York in his later years.
"On January 1, 2012 we lost a great man," a statement on the Belmonts' website said regarding Milano's death. "Freddie was the founder of our group and made rock n' roll (which is not easy to define) understandable. If you were lucky enough to have known him, the real nature of rock n' roll became clear and as in the songs he sang and the records he made."
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Susan Memet who lived in APT 5A above Freddie Milano's family Apt at 2015 Belmont Ave in the Bronx. remembers the days that Dion and The Belmonts would be trying to write their songs and practice singing. Girlfriend of Freddie's sister Rosa
was there at the young age of 10. "My heart is broken finding out now about Freddie's passing. Many memories of Belmont Ave and The Belmonts are like they just happened. Condolences to Rosa and the Milano Family. I have been trying to get in touch with Rosa for years. You can see me on facebook with my husband "Kenneth J Condon Sr" LOVE YOU FREDDIE
Dion and the Belmonts were at the Berwyn,Pa. fair in the summer of 1959..I liked them and all their songs.We saw Freddy and Carlo walking around the fair grounds and asked them for their autographs..that sure made my day for a long time..They were a great group..Sorry to hear about Freddy...
January 05 2012 at 2:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe "grim reaper" awaits us all....
January 04 2012 at 5:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOne night while I was working the graveyard shift at WHBQ in Memphis, there was a call from a man identifying himself as Dion DiMucci of the Belmontes.I asked him to come by a chat a few minutes. Although it was against the rules, he did come by and between recordings we chatted about life on the road and the group. He was very kind and a super person to talk with. He told me about some of the problems, such as the time lapse between "gigs" and said he and the whole group were accustomed to the down time. He told me the harmony was outstanding in the group and the guys were all a pleassure to work with. He did mention Fred Milano, but I don't recall exactly what he said about him. I think he said he was waiting on them to get there. If Fred and the others were like DiMucci, they were a super group.
January 04 2012 at 2:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI met Freddie Milano about 5 years ago at the St. Anne's Feast in Hoboken, NJ. Of course, Dion's name came up (I had met him in 1962.) Back in the late 1950s and early '60s we here in New Jersey all loved 'DION AND THE BELMONTS.' Freddie, may the Good Lord keep and protect you. You will be missed.
January 04 2012 at 2:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyahh the good old days,r.i.p.
January 04 2012 at 1:43 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyThanks for the memories and music!
January 04 2012 at 1:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replythere was nothing that could compare to all of those groups, prayers & thoughts go out to the family.
January 04 2012 at 1:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyr.i.p. Thank you for the music.
January 04 2012 at 12:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI love
d all of the group they were great I'm sure he will be missed . My condolences to his family and his friendes.
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