Biography

The Belmonts were a "doo-wop" group that formed in the Bronx, New York, in the 1950s. It was named after the street several of its member lived on, Belmont Avenue. The original members were Dion DiMucci, Carlo Mastrangelo, Freddie Millano and Angelo D'Aleo.

The group had recorded several songs for Mohawk Records, which went nowhere. They left Mohawk for a newly formed label, Laurie Records. Their first record for Laurie, "I Wonder Why", was released in 1958 and became an instant hit. They continued with a string of hits, including "No One Knows", "A Teenager in Love" and "Where or When".

In 1961 DiMucci left the group for a solo career. The Belmonts continued on without him, and recorded into the 1960s, having several modest hits. The group continued recording, with many personnel changes, well into the 1990s, and even had several reunion concerts and albums with DiMucci, although he never officially rejoined the group.
- IMDb mini biography by: frankfob2@yahoo.com

Three of the group's members belonged to two rival Bronx street gangs. Dion DiMucci was a member of the Fordham Daggers. He had submitted some demo records he had recorded to a producer, who was impressed enough but told him that he would need a backup group in order to get a contract. The two best street singers DiMucci knew were Freddie Millano and Carlo Mastrangelo, who belonged to a rival gang, the Imperial Hoods. The three decided to make peace and, with Angelo D'Aleo--who did not belong to a gang--formed The Belmonts.

The group was named after Belmont Ave. in the Bronx, New York, where the members grew up.

Members have included Dion DiMucci, Carlo Mastrangelo, Freddy Millano, Angelo D'Aleo.

Hits by The Belmonts (1958-1960) include "I Wonder Why", "Teenager In Love" and Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "Where or When". In 1961 Dion launched a solo career with successive hits: "Lonely Teenager", "Runaraound Sue", "Donna The Prima Donna", "Ruby Baby", "Lovers Who Wander" and "Love Came To Me". In 1968 he recorded "Abraham Martin and John". In 1961 "The Belmonts" (Carlo, Angelo and Freddie) released "Such A Long Way"/"We Belong Together" as their first recording without Dion. They had success on the charts in the early sixties with a remake of The Robroys' oldie classic "Tell Me Why", the big band classic "Don't Get Around much Anymore", I Need Someone", "Come On Little Angel", "Hombre" and "De De Lee Dum". Dion and members of the group have reunited on many occasions, in concert and the recording studio.

In February 1959, after a performance in Clear Lake, Iowa, the Belmonts took a bus to the next show. The other performers on the tour took a charter plane that crashed that night, killing Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Paul Sutera.