03 January 2012
VVN Music
Fred Milano, a founding member of the Belmonts, passed away on Monday from lung cancer at the age of 72. His family said he had been diagnosed just three weeks before his death.
The following was posted on the Belmonts' official site:
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Dion DiMucci posted on Facebook:
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.
The group formed in the mid-50's with Milano, Angelo D'Aleo, Carlo Mastrangelo and Nick Caruso. Dion joined the group in 1958 and they went on to have such hits as I Wonder Why, A Teenager in Love and Where or When.
DiMucci left in 1960 but the group carried on until 1971, having a few minor hits. The reunited a number of times in the years since.
