Dion -From Wanderer to Wise-Walker

 Famed musician Dion DiMucci from the vintage rock and roll era carries both burdens and rewards in his storied career.  Some today seek to erase history, not understanding the value of wisdom gained thru both tragedies and triumphs.  Individual experiences either help us gain compassion and wisdom or bitterness and enmity.   This is a story of ‘Dion’ who, at the age of 81, grew from a ‘wanderer’ to one filled with wisdom on how to walk wisely in carrying a message of living without fear against life’s storms.

Born in 1939, Dion DiMucci walked a storied life as a wanderer wondering how $36 saved him from boarding the plane with Buddy Holly. He tiptoed thru a broken America both protecting and being protected while stepping through the south with Sam Cooke, where ultimately he found God & the rock&roll Hall of Fame.

 Six decades later, his music and words show us how to be a wise walker filled with truth and faith.   We’re told to erase history to make life better; how foolish.  Remembering (or singing) the blues stirs up the strength to not let the past be forgotten whilst carrying those we love with us – to a better place in this promised land. 

Historian and Philosopher John Dalberg-Acton once stated post the civil war that ‘History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination on the soul.’   The song American Pie by Don McLean describes the unfortunate tragedy of Buddy Holly dying in a plane crash as ‘the day the music died.’   Dion, who should have been on that very plane, said that is so not true.  He said in actuality it was ‘the day that music exploded!’   Buddy Holly’s death illuminated his music style and revealed the rigors of musicians traveling from gig to gig.  Holly and Ritchie Valens and Dion were touring together when their bus broke down in Iowa in 1959.  Dion tells the story of how he did not want to spend the $36 needed for the flight because it was the same amount of money his parents paid in rent monthly for their home.  That day illuminated his soul to how lucky he was to be alive, yet he also carried a burden of guilt, wondering why his friends did not survive.

There will soon be a Broadway play on Dion’s life opening in 2021. He has also released a brand new album called ‘Blues with friends.’   To attempt to cover his whole life story would be a huge task. Instead, I have created a YouTube Playlist 

For many, including my son who I was shocked to hear him say; ‘I have never heard of Buddy Holly –  In fact, until you played that ‘Walk with Him’ song 100 times I had never heard of Dion or Dion and the Belmonts either,’   it will be an introduction to a great singer-song-writers blend of new and old and also controversial words and music.

I am shocked at the naivety of many who wish to erase history by burning history books and knocking down statues thinking that will solve the problems of racism and outright bullying that has been highly illuminated of late.  People act like other people being treated like dirt is something new.  It has been going on since the creation of mankind.    In no way do I mean to diminish the systemic racism that exists in America, history, however, must be made known to illuminate past successes in fighting this plague as well as the failures. 

To accomplish the task, I have intertwined songs of Dion’s about racism, including the relationship he had with another tragic figure, Sam Cooke.  I also have included others in the rock and roll era with videos showing a unity of races.   My son was quick to note that the video of the Wanderer from 1961 had only white people in it.   Runaround Sue stereotyped a loose girl while seemingly giving freedom for the guy to wander wherever he wanted with no stain of reputation.  But we also see songs calling for change and condemnation of wrongs.

On a personal side, I included a video from old Cleveland stadium in 1995 where Chuck Berry and Bruce Springsteen rocked together on stage.  Ironically 25 years later, Bruce was the guitar player for Dion on the first song on the Playlist.  I recall seeing the Rolling Stones in 1978 at the same venue where 83,000 people booed the opening act of Peter Tosh because they did not like the unique style of the Jamaican at the time.  My best friend nearly od’d at the concert but he lived.  It was an earthshaking memory for me because I knew I needed to avoid the hard drugs.  That friend died several years later because he did not heed the call to change.  Those memories are ones I do not want to erase, they highlight my fortune to not be the one six-feet-under.  It also illuminates my growth and needs for continual growth in the area of compassion and empathy for others. 

Per usual, my writing includes two phases.  Warning, the Playlist includes songs that touch on a spiritual aspect of the topic.  Dion had a phase of five albums where he did nothing but gospel-like music and seemingly flip-flopped on his spirituality.  Feel free to fast forward through some of those that are included in the Playlist, but maybe you might gain something from this wise walker.   You definitely want to get to the last video, though to hear his full story on the Buddy Holly plane crash, it is phenomenal.

If this is your first time visiting Average Joe’s Portico, every post is written in two parts. You have just read the portion challenging the mind, body, and soul.  In The Portico, I seek to tap into your spiritual side, but only IF YOU DARE.  Tap the Red Line Below to hear the Part 2 Spiritual side of the story.  (For additional info – read the ‘Do You Dare’ Tab)

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