Vocalist. Founding member of the doo-wop ensemble Dion and the Belmonts. The concept of a vocal group was conceived when some high school buddies got together, inspired by such contemporary artists as Elvis Presley, Bo Diddley and Fats Domino, to name a few, to form a musical trio. All from Italian descent, initially consisting of Angelo D'Aleo, Carlo Mastrangelo, as well as Milano, they took the name The Belmonts from a street in the Bronx and secured a contract with the Mohawk label, which led to their yielding of the recording "Teenage Clementine" (1957). When Dion DiMucci (who previously worked with another group) was added, they moved onto the newly established Laurie record label. Much success would follow, (now renamed Dion and The Belmonts, with Dion as frontman and lead singer) beginning with three Top-40 hits, including "I Wonder Why" (1958), "No One Knows" (1958) and "Don't Pity Me" (1959). Their signature song "A Teenager In Love" (1959) peaked at number five and "Where Or When" (1960) achieved a number three placing on the US Pop Charts. Dion would go onto have a successful solo career, leaving The Belmonts to continue without him. In 1972, Dion rejoined The Belmonts for a one-time concert event at Madison Square Garden, resulting in a live commercial album. Milano remained with The Belmonts and continued to perform over the next several decades. Dion and The Belmonts were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. Milano died from complications of lung cancer.
Vocalist. Founding member of the doo-wop ensemble Dion and the Belmonts. The concept of a vocal group was conceived when some high school buddies got together, inspired by such contemporary artists as Elvis Presley, Bo Diddley and Fats Domino, to name a few, to form a musical trio. All from Italian descent, initially consisting of Angelo D'Aleo, Carlo Mastrangelo, as well as Milano, they took the name The Belmonts from a street in the Bronx and secured a contract with the Mohawk label, which led to their yielding of the recording "Teenage Clementine" (1957). When Dion DiMucci (who previously worked with another group) was added, they moved onto the newly established Laurie record label. Much success would follow, (now renamed Dion and The Belmonts, with Dion as frontman and lead singer) beginning with three Top-40 hits, including "I Wonder Why" (1958), "No One Knows" (1958) and "Don't Pity Me" (1959). Their signature song "A Teenager In Love" (1959) peaked at number five and "Where Or When" (1960) achieved a number three placing on the US Pop Charts. Dion would go onto have a successful solo career, leaving The Belmonts to continue without him. In 1972, Dion rejoined The Belmonts for a one-time concert event at Madison Square Garden, resulting in a live commercial album. Milano remained with The Belmonts and continued to perform over the next several decades. Dion and The Belmonts were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. Milano died from complications of lung cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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