Fred Milano of the Belmonts dies aged 72
Written by admin on January 3, 2012 – 8:21 am -Founding member of the Belmonts, Fred Milano, passed away on Sunday from lung cancer. He was 72.
Milano was born in New York on August 22, 1939 and formed the Belmonts as a teenager in the mid-1950s, along with Angelo D’Aleo and Carlo Mastrangelo. After joining forces with Dion DiMucci, the group entered their most successful period, with classic singles including “I Wonder Why” and “Teenager In Love.”
Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano, Dion DiMucci and Angelo D’Aleo
Dion and the Belmonts – “Teenager in Love”
Dion and the Belmonts went their separate ways in 1960, but the Belmonts continued to record with some success, including the singles “Tell Me Why,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “I Need Someone.”
The Belmonts – “Tell Me Why”
Milano featured in a shortlived reunion of Dion and the Belmonts in 1966 with the release of the album “Together Again, and another reunion in 1972 for a Rock and Roll Revival Show, which yielded a live album. Shortly after, the Belmonts (minus Dion) recorded a highly regarded acappella album called “Cigars, Acappella, Candy”
A Belmonts line-up comprising Milano, D’Aleo, William Gradus and Daniel Elliott would become a popular live act, playing up to 100 gigs per year right up until 2011.
Dion DiMucci has paid tribute to his old friend:
| “With everyone who loves the roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll, I’m mourning the loss of Freddie Milano. Fred played an important role in my younger life. He was a boyhood friend from the Bronx and one of the original members of Dion and the Belmonts. He was very savvy with harmonies. We had our ups and downs through the years but that’s how things go in families, even rock-and-roll families. I will always remain grateful for his contribution in 1958 & 59 – may he rest in peace and rock on in heaven.” |
Dion and the Belmonts – “I Wonder Why”
Tags: Dion and the Belmonts, Dion DiMucci, Fred Milano, Fred Milano death, I Wonder Why, Teenager in Love, The Belmonts
Posted in 60s pop, Obituaries, Rock 'n' roll |
One Comment to “Fred Milano of the Belmonts dies aged 72”
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Freddie Milano was my brother-n-law for 44 years and was so many things to all of us wrapped up in one person who inspired us all to follow our hearts and dreams. He was born on August 26th not 22nd 1939, please correct this. He loved music and ensured that The Belmonts will always have their place in history, continuing on with the music till the day he died. His legacy will remain a significant part of Rock n Roll forever because of all of his amazing contributions to music and his fans. He will forever be missed cherished and never forgotten! We love you Freddie, our hearts are broken. Thank you for everything you did and most especially for just being you, special. Love to you, from all of us, Deb