The Wanderer: Dion's Story

by Dion DiMucci, Davin Seay, Photos (Illustrator)

The pop music idol chronicles his life and career from his troubled youth in the Bronx to his rise to fame--tainted by heroin addiction and alcoholism--to his newfound spiritual awakening

Genres: Biography, Music, Memoir, Autobiography

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1988

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dion, and it was interesting to read about his journey from poor Bronx kid to star to junkie to drunk to born again man content with his life. I think the main message I got from this book is that life is long and don't give up.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book convinced me once and for all that I need to quit reading the autobiographies of rock stars of the '50s and 60s as most of them are more about the authors struggle with drugs and their eventual sobriety and how it affected their careers. As a person in recovery, I understand the need to tell the stories for the people still struggling and Dion tells it better than a lot of the others because he also talks about how the drugs affected how he felt about the music. Still, it gets to be very repetitive reading after awhile.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since the song "The Wanderer" was etched forever in my mind (by Eddie Rabbitt, not Dion!) I vowed to find out more about this musical pioneer. I have loved Dion's music long before I knew it was Dion's: Ruby Baby, Donna the Prima Donna, I Wonder Why--all had been part of my life growing up, I just never knew who it was, just that I liked the music. Reading this bio tells the story of his life and the influences the people around him and the music he heard all had on him. He tells the story of the Belmonts, his courtship, his faith, and his music. A great read for anyone who loves music and history and biography.

[Shawn Manning]

I was looking forward to reading this, having heard Dion on WFUV many times. He is an excellent storyteller. While I enjoyed this book, it didn't live up to my expectations. It does a nice job of broadly summing up his life and career, but it lacks the depth and heart that his radio talks.