Early-era rock and roll stars, The Belmonts performed two sold-out shows at Tioga Downs on Saturday, March 5. The Belmonts, now in their 58th year of show business and well-known for their smooth harmonies, treated guests to their most beloved songs from the 1950’s and 1960’s, as well as more recent releases. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Early-era rock and roll stars, The Belmonts, performed two sold-out shows at Tioga Downs on Saturday, March 5. The Belmonts, now in their 58th year of show business and well-known for their smooth harmonies, treated guests to their most beloved songs from the 1950’s and 1960’s, as well as more recent releases.
Taking the Tioga Downs indoor stage was original member Angelo D’Aleo, along with Warren Gradus who joined in 1963, and Dan Elliott who jumped on board in 1974.
The Belmonts, along with Dion DiMucci, went onto worldwide fame as Dion and The Belmonts. The Belmonts, originally Angelo D’Aleo, Fred Milano and Carlo Mastrangelo, were three friends who grew up in the Belmont Avenue area of the Bronx. Milano passed away in 2012 and Mastrangelo, now in his late 70’s, no longer performs. Dion went on to a solo career and reunited with The Belmonts for a Madison Square Garden show in 1972.
Gradus explained during a previous phone interview, “We like to say The Belmonts are early or first generation rock and roll, and are part of the greatest doo-wop generation.”
All dressed alike in tuxedos accessorized with bow ties and a red handkerchief, The Belmonts opened the shows with their 1981 chart-topping hit, “Let’s Put the Fun Back in Rock and Roll,” a tune they collaborated along with another early rocker, Freddy Cannon.
On stage, D’Aleo shared with guests, “Back in the 50’s, we were four happy guys from the Bronx. Tonight, we’re going to take you on a journey down through the ages.”
That journey included their famous songs, “I Wonder Why,” which landed them their first television appearance on American Bandstand, and other fan favorites like, “No One Knows.”
Gradus introduced the song, “A Teenager in Love,” a top five hit with Dion in 1959.
“In the beginning, Angelo didn’t like that song,” Gradus explained.
The catchy tune moved quickly up the charts while D’Aleo was serving in the U.S. Navy.
Gradus added, “Angelo went from port to port, and everywhere he went he heard that song. Since we didn’t bring Dion tonight, you all get to sing the lead.”
The audience obliged by singing the popular lyrics of the song that has since become a signature tune of an admired era of music history.
Angelo asked the audience, “Do you remember record hops and proms? You know, when all the girls danced and the guys were just holding up the walls?”
D’Aleo’s comment brought chuckles from concert-goers, which led into the song, “That’s My Desire,” a famous “B” side recording of another top hit, “Where or When.”
Elliott shared with the audience, “I sang with the Glen Miller orchestra in the early 70’s and have been with The Belmonts for forty years.” The trio then sang, “Hundred Pounds of Clay.”
Angelo commented, “One of the great wonders of rock and roll was a capella. We would gather together at a lamp post on Belmont Avenue and sing to family and friends.”
The Belmonts’ a capella version of the song, “Wonderful Girl,” gained loud applause from the Tioga Downs audience. The trio then broke into “The Wanderer,” and “Runaround Sue,” which brought guests to the front of the stage to dance.
The Belmonts’ finale concluded with their most recent hit, “Yesterday Once More,” a song written and recorded by The Carpenters in 1973.
Before the first show, Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, welcomed guests and shared, “We hope to have a full casino open by the July 4 weekend.”
For more information about Tioga Downs, find them on Facebook, Twitter, or visit www.tiogadowns.com.
