Our career began to zoom after recording "I Wonder Why." It turned what was just spare-time amusement into a full-time career. We were happy singing, and jumped at any chance we could get to sing before an audience. 
Vol. 1 Number 1 Sept. 02(Thanks to Juan for forwarding this )
At any time, at any newsstand, I can plunk down a quarter and pick up a magazine filled with stories that are, in a lot of cases, quite untrue. Hundreds of thousands of people every day pour through countless fan magazines, eager to read every little rumor and "news item." Every day some singer or actor's "image" is smashed before the public eye.
But, it's a rare occasion when the subject of one of the "news items" gets an equal opportunity to answer back ... to give his side of the story.
For this reason, I'd like to thank you for the chance to answer back to the "dig" you threw at The Belmonts and me in the last issue of "DIG" Magazine, when you listed what you felt were the "real reasons" for our split-up.
I know that everyone has to make a living, including editors, but "Ouch!" . . that rather outspoken set of "reasons" you gave really hurt! Needless to say, "DIG" Editors, I feel you "missed the boat."
First of all, you stated that "Dion Left The Belmonts." I'd like it understood right from the beginning that our split-up was mutual. I didn't leave The Belmonts, nor did they leave me! Our decision to go separate ways was by mutual agreement. We'd been thinking about it for a long, long time, and made the decision in complete unity . . . like every other decision we've ever made.
If I didn't know better, I might think you were trying to drive a spike into my close friendship with The Belmonts. But everyone has a right to state his feelings . . . so now I'll give you mine. The honest answers to your rash "conclusions" are. NO! NO! NO!
NO! You stated I was dissatisfied with the "sound" that we were making as a group - that I was concerned because our last few records had 'missed the boat" and "didn't have it anymore." Well, sirs, those last few reecords you were referring to were "Teenager In Love," "Where or When" and "In The Still Of The Night." Do you really think the 'sound" of those discs was "off key'? I doubt if the accountants at Laurie Records would agree with you. They call them "best selling hits," and according to latest reports, they’re still selling pretty strong throughout the world.
Someone once said that The Belmonts and myself "make beautiful, harmonious music together." I personally feel that our 'sound" has been improving with each recording. The statistics on the sales of those last three records most certainly back me up on it.
Now, honestly, how could you say that our "sound" was off?
NO The second reason you gave for our Split-up was the possibility of "personality clashes." Then you proceeded to list 'ambitions." Naturally, we each have ambitions - it's a very lazy person who doesn’t.
Freddie, Carlo and Angelo are my closest friends . We’ve been together a long time. We've shared hard work and defeats as well as success. And each chipped in and done our share - gladly !
Of course we've had our differences, but they were only normal, minor, non-personal disputes, quickly ironed out. We've always found that it's better in the long run to go to someone older and more experienced for advice, whenever anything perplexing came up-and we've always benefited from it.
But most important of all,. we each benefited from our 'experiences in a different way, each retaining his own individual personality. When working so close with three other guys, at such a feverish pitch, it's hard not to begin to think alike. I think we overcame' that hazard pretty well.
My own individual hopes and dreams, ever since I decided I wanted to. be a singer many years ago (long before I met the boys) also included the Broad-way stage, movies, TV, dancing …everything that goes into being a good entertainer. That takes an awful lot of hard work and perseverance. I thank my lucky stars I realized that as soon as I did. Even at the age of eight, I accompanied myself on a guitar I' was given for my birthday, dreaming of the day I'd be singing professionally. And I practiced every day.
By the time I was 11, various clubs in my neighborhood were asking me to entertain at shows and dances. My dreams were beginning to come true. I worked harder and harder always singing! Even on street corners and in subway stations with my pals, I'd sing . . . sing . . . sing! Some of the guys had pretty good voices themselves, and often we'd have pretty harmonious trios . . quartets . . . sometimes practically a whole choir! Now and then a couple of voices were off key, but we didn't care . . . we were enjoying ourselves. And it was one of the few ways we know how to enjoy ourselves on the streets of New York City.
But singing was more than just enjoyment to me . . . it was my whole life! When I was about 15, Gene Schwartz at Mohawk Records let me cut a side for him. It was called "The Chosen Few," and I sure put my heart and soul into it. It was on the flip side of a tune by a group called The Timber-lanes. And it really flipped . . . right on it's side!
My hopes were really shattered at that point-all my dreams and hard work-all for nothing. When Gene went to Laurie Records, I went with him. He believed in me.
"Dion," he said, "you're a good singer, but right now groups are the big thing. Find yourself a group, and you've got it made!" Group', he wanted! Why, within half an hour I could produce any size group he'd need! The next day Carlo, Freddie, Angelo and I 'were standing before him, singing our hearts out.
Our career began to zoom after recording "I Wonder Why." It turned what was just spare-time amusement into a full-time career. We were happy singing, and jumped at any chance we could get to sing before an audience.
But after the first taste of big time success, my thoughts began to go back to my original dreams I wanted to learn more about my profession I wanted to be in Broadway musicals I wanted to do a night club act I wanted to study. I began studying…studying acting, new voice sounds new techniques. I'd sit for hours in movie theatres, studying the various styles of all the big actors . . Marion Brando and Frank Sinatra in particular. I wanted to find out what made them great. I wanted to know how I, too, could become a truly great entertainer. The boys knew my dreams, and encouraged me. They told me over and over how they'd support me in whatever I did. The boys knew of my dreams, and even though we promised to stick together, they encouraged me to strike out on my own. They felt they were strong enough to carry through on ,their own, and' that I shouldn't let them stand in my way.
I was stunned. My friends are so great. I wouldn't' go back on them for the world. Their style was great, they'd built up to the highest of professional standards, and many times when we were singing together I told myself 'Gee, they've got enough style and class to go it alone." But these were just abstract thoughts, and I had no idea they'd ever crystallize
. But, as you. can see, they did, and each of us, in our own individual way, is becoming a success. That's what happens when guys trust and respect each other.
So, you see, there was no personality clash. It was simply a' parting of the ways by four mature individuals-professionally, that is, because we're still the very closest of personal friends.
NOI Your last reason deserves more than one word, but to clear things up, I'd just like to state that there was no financial reason for our split-up whatsoever. My dreams and ambitions have been to SING . . . not to make money. To true performers, money is a small thing. Entertaining an audience, making them truly enjoy your performance, that's the dream of any performer. A -good loud burst of applause after you've completed a number is worth more money than all of Fort' Knox. Splitting our earnings has never appeared to me as a disadvantage. It was something close, something we enjoyed doing, because it was our reward for sticking together, and producing one smooth, harmonious "sound."
So that's my story. Simple, direct …the true story. Freddie, Carlo and Angelo are still my closest buddies. I know deep in my heart that we'll always be pals . . .. for we understand one another.
DION.
.