Dion DiMucci

Dion DiMucci, the singer-songwriter known for hits like “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer” is now wandering for the Lord. In his new book, “Dion the Wanderer Talks Truth,” the 72-year-old former teen idol talks about how his life has improved since he found God.

In his second memoir, Dion, whose music has spanned genres from doo-wop to Christian rock, paints himself in the role of sinner, unworthy of the riches of life. As a teen he escaped his sad home life by running with a gang and doing more than his share of drinking. He even developed a taste for heroin.
Although raised in a Catholic household, his family was not particularly religious. Most of his spiritual growth came from arguing with his local pastor about virtue, prudence and James Dean. “Rebel for the truth,” the priest told him.

Seemingly content with his stardom, Dion reveals he is unhappy. He is first bothered by his father-in-law’s cheeriness, then comes to want that serenity. He takes the advice of the man and prays to be relieved of his addictions. It works. In 1968, he takes a turn towards Christ, learning, with some difficulty, to be at peace. Through this, he learns to control his temper and find ways to be a good father and husband. He also shifts his music from singing about strutting teenagers to tributes to Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and the Kennedy brothers.

Throughout the book, Dion doesn’t come across as preachy or pious. He never looses that New York street character and seems very much to be someone still searching, trying to understand God’s plan.

It’s interesting to hear his views on John Lennon. Although mutually admirable toward each other, Dion points out the hopelessness and negativity of Lennon’s most famous work “Imagine,” citing the Cold War, Eastern Bloc and Mao regime as being driven by people with no fear of heaven or hell.

Although the focus of this book is his faith life, Dion does spend quite a bit of time discussing his musical career, such as touring with Sam Cooke, a black singer who spoke openly about the Lord on the tour bus. He saw Cooke demonstrate God’s grace by defending his white friends even though he was not allowed to sit or eat with them in the segregated South. Ever the rocker, Dion credits rock and roll with creating equal rights.

In all, the brief 141-paged book makes for a good read as it forgoes philosophy and theology for real-life experience of the Lord’s work.

“Dion, The Wanderer Talks Truth” by Dion DiMucci with Mike Aquilina, is published by Servant Books and can be purchased for $16.99.