JERSEY BOOKSHELF: ‘Dion The Rock’n’Roll Philosopher,’ by Dion DiMucci and Adam Jablin

Written By Mike Greenblatt
Dion The Rock n Roll Philosopher

Dion The Rock’n’Roll Philosopher: Conversations on Life, Recovery, Faith and Music (2024)
by Dion DiMucci and Adam Jablin
(Lyons Press)

Dion’s from the Bronx but co-author Adam Jablin—a life coach, recovery specialist and keynote speaker at self-help events—is from Tenafly in Bergen County. With a foreword by Newark’s Paul Simon, an afterward by Monmouth County’s Stevie Van Zandt and a prologue by Eric Clapton, the 228-page hard-cover with 160 photographs barely scratches the surface of Dion’s music. And that’s a shame because Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer Dion has 12 gold records and 39 Top 40 hits. But more importantly, he’s an American Treasure, a true original who started out doo-wop as Dion & The Belmonts and who, when he went solo, put out a strong string of singles that, admittedly, is the soundtrack to this reporter’s life.

Then he got even better.

His King of the New York Streets box is essential. His stunning series of blues albums shows off his impeccable guitarwork. His voice is his true instrument:  natural, soulful, lagging just behind the beat almost like a jazz singer, a voice for the ages, an unforgettable kind of voice that can sear a burning hole in your soul so good that you’d swear he’s all you’d ever want to listen to. THAT’S how good he is. And when he went through his folk phase, he crafted such impeccable compositions as “Abraham, Martin & John” and “Your Own Backyard,” two songs that still send a shiver up my spine.

And what a life! Dude survived a heroin addiction. He would shoot needles in his arm with fellow teen singer Frankie Lyman. Lyman died at 25. Dion got scared straight and sounds stronger than ever today at 85. Someday someone will write the definitive biography of this great American artist because this book isn’t it. Accepting the concept of a higher power has saved the lives of many drug users including Dion. But this book rambles on and on proselytizing heavy about God and Jesus and Faith. Sure, there’s some great stories, but not enough of them. Dion deserves better.

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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