When, back in 1995, i got a phone call our of the clear blue sky from Dion, i didnt even think that it was one of my musical idols on the phone. So unbelievable would such a thing be. Good thing Manitoba was home (i lived two floors down from him) and he could verify that the voice with the thick Bronx accent on my answering machine was in fact Dion himself. (My pal, Rich Nesin, had been his tour manager on a tour in the early 90s, and on that tour Rich had played Dion my first solo record and a Del-Lords record (actually it was a cassette), and that set this all in motion. Thanx again for that one, Rich.) How that turned into him moving back to NYC after close to thirty years in Florida, all because he asked if i wanted to - and i jumped at the opportunity to - write some songs with him, is still nothing short of a miracle to me - and proof that sometimes dreams really do come true. Dion and I grew up about a half mile apart in the Bronx. He was our own neighborhood Elvis. And now, i was gonna work with him. I took this very seriously. Well, that was 19 years ago now, and we are still at it. We still have a very special musical relationship, and it just keeps getting better. I think about his legacy a lot, and i have taken it upon myself to do whatever i can to make sure everyone now and forever knows just how great a talent Dion is, and what an incredible writer he is, and how he is just about the only one of the first generation rocknrollers to have continued on an always searching journey to find other musical forms in which to express his heart and soul - besides the one that made him a star. Why he thought he should hook up with a mamaluke like me is still, to me, one of lifes great mysteries. (I mean, he is - and was then too - Dion, after all.) Being a part of it is one of the greatest blessings of my entire life, and I am eternally grateful. The most surprising thing, though, about me and Dion DiMucci (and just for the record it is pronounced M-yuchi, not Moochi) it has been the friendship that has been the strongest bond between us - as much as the music, and believe me, the music cuts deep. He tells me he thinks of me as the kid (kid??!! HA!) brother he never had, and truthfully he has been like a big brother to me. He is a great teacher, and the kind of friend who never has to be asked to go the extra mile for you. Dion is among the very closest friends of my entire life, and he has gone that extra mile for me more than a few times. I am always trying to return that favor however i can. On Tuesday, he asked me to write a song for him about a particular subject, so today that is the form my attempt to repay him is taking. And on and on. A true labor of love for me. So, today on this the occasion of the 75th birthday of the real Prince of the Bronx, I want to say: Dion, Happy Birthday to you, and i am sending all the love and good thoughts i can fit into a trans-continental birthday wish to you, my dear friend. Have a great one. Make it one to remember - i have the bail money. Love ya.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 13:48:01 +0000
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