March 13, 2025 • 9 mins
We talk to the legendary Dion DiMucci about his hits (and the impact they've had on girls named Sue), his faith, and his new book ("Dion: The Rock & Roll Philosopher").
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Scott Vorde. We love music on the show. One of
our favorites of all time is, of course, the legendary
Dione the start. Now he's a scene you adopto pots
Canny one. He's going to hurt him too. You keep
your eye on Ndomagon Sue. That's right. He wrote a
(00:21):
song for Nebraska's fearsome Endomican Sue once upon a time.
And we now welcome onto the program the legendary Dion Demucci. Dion,
good morning and welcome to Nebraska.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Scott. It's a pleasure to be with you, and joy,
thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
It's great to have you here. What feedback have you
received over the years from women named Sue?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
A lot of good feedback, A lot. I've been married
to a girl named Susan for like sixty two years.
We know each other for seventy.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah, that's that's a beautiful thing.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Good name and the song, and the song pays the rent.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Yeah, well you got a few songs that have paid
the rent. I love sitting down at the piano and
playing Teenager in Love, even though I'm not a teenager anymore.
And you're even further removed from being a teenager in love.
Can you tell us about the first time you were
a teenager in love?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Dion, Yeah, but you're still a teenager and love. Scott,
don't kid yourself.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
I wasn't even a teenager, and I was a teenager.
I've always been an old soul.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Well, you know, I fell in love with this girl, Susan.
She moved down from Vermont and she moved into the
Bronx where I was living. It was an Italian like ghetto,
you know, in the middle of the Bronx, and she
moved in and she just stole my heart. You know.
I was like, I was like sixteen years old. I
(01:53):
was going to school. I couldn't even hear the teachers.
I didn't I couldn't think of anything else but this girl.
And that was it. You know. I ended up. Actually,
I'm married to this girl, So I think i'll be
if I live to one hundred and twenty one, I'll
still be a teenager in love.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
I think it's probably unless you've got certainly the hardcore
fans who know about your life story. I think there
are a lot of people are surprised that you've been
with the same women for women for all these decades,
especially since another big hit of yours is The Wanderer,
And you know, the Wanderer tends to have a different
meaning now in advancing years, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
You know, the Wanderers. It's kind of a funny song
because it's about a guy. Again. Sometimes people think you're
always talking about yourself when you write a song, you know,
like it's always auto biographical, but it's not. It's you know,
you're kind of an actor, so you play the I'm
(02:57):
not saying I'm not in this song at all. But
the Wanderer is like a very thin veneer of being
a man. You know, it's very shallow. You know, he's
a guy running around. He's just using women. And then
in the middle of the song it says, I roam
from town to town. I go through life without a care.
I'm as happy as a clown with my two fists
(03:20):
of iron. But I'm going nowhere. So the guy sees
himself for a minute there, he sees himself accurately, but
then he just keeps traveling on. He doesn't know what
to do about it. But that song has been a
signature song for mine. I love it. It's a crazy
good song.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
It's over the top Yeah, it certainly is. And I
can't imagine how much fun it must have been to
write it, recorded, get in the studio, perform it, go
out on tour. As we're talking here with Dion. The
new book is The Rock and Roll Philosopher, and this
is available right now. When you were standing there on
stages singing the Wanderer and run around Zoo, what was
(04:02):
it like in those days there throughout the fifties and sixties,
just screaming crowds of teenagers. They probably wouldn't let you
sleep at night in the hotel. I mean, what was
that life like for you?
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Well, you know, it makes you feel like you're somebody special,
you know, and that's a dangerous thing sometimes, but I
mean it's a good feeling. But you know, sometimes God
will give you everything you want in order to show
you what you need. But a lot of people don't
look at what they need, you know. And you look
(04:37):
at the tabloids and you can see a lot of
unhappy stars, you know, and a lot of unhappy people
that make it and have everything they want. But it
does I gotta say it feels good.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Yeah, I mean it's you have a different perspective on it.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Now.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
I'm sure you probably didn't think about it quite that
way at the time, But your life has been a
theories of up and downs. You have battled addiction, you
come through the other side. You've been mentoring to others,
and that's what this book is about, Dion the rock
and roll philosopher. You've also been very clear and wearing
(05:16):
your heart on your sleeve here as it pertains to
your Catholic faith. Are you friends with Pope Francis and
and if so, have you talked with him here in
the last couple of weeks here since we've all been
watching this health scare with him.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
No, I never met him, and I don't know him.
I'm pretty close to Bishop Robert Baron, you know, he's, like,
I would say, a mentor, you know, somebody I look
up to and listen to a lot, you know. But yeah,
who would think that a guy like me would would
(05:53):
end up loving to go to church? And I do
these days.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
So yeah, that's it's a wonderful thing. And of course
we're we're hoping for the best for the Pope. It's uh,
it's been an interesting couple of weeks here and it's
been quiet the last few days, which we're hoping is
a good thing. As you look at other Dion's in
pop culture, who's the best singer you, Dion Warwick, Celene
(06:21):
Dion or Neon Dion Sanders.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
You know, listen, Dion Warwick is a great singer. I
mean she she is so distinctive and unique. And forget
about Celene Dion. I mean that girl, she's got great roots.
I mean she's a soul singer, you know, and uh,
who could who could? You can't deny Dion Sanders. Guys
(06:51):
one of the greatest sports figures in history, you know,
in my in my lifetime. So hey, uh, you know,
I think I was the first Deon. Let's so I'm
gonna like brag about that. You know in rock and
rolling blues there's a thing called bragging rights, So you know,
like I'm the Hucci Couci man, I'm the one that
(07:12):
I'm king of the New York streets. Well, I'm the
first of the I'm the Yeah, I'm the first Dan.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
That's right, and I understand it. Unless as Dion Warwick,
she's got to be in the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame for all the hits she had. I know,
you are do you go back to the ceremony every
year and just look at these kids getting inducted going
they don't know, they don't have any idea what they're doing.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
No. I was going back for quite a while, but
the last couple of induction ceremonies I haven't been to. Although,
like this year, I mean what I voted for John Fogani,
let's see who. I can't think who else was up there,
(08:02):
I forget, but I voted for a few of my
people that I love.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Yeah, and Fogarty is a great one. Well, Dion, you
are as well, and it's so good to talk with
you and discuss this book, Dion the Rock and Roll Philosopher,
talk about some of your great hits. We ask all
of our favorite guests on this program to say a
line for us that we feel is the best thing
to hear first thing in the morning. The line is,
good morning, honey, I made you pancakes for breakfast. But
(08:30):
because you're Dion, would you say good morning, Sue, I
made you pancakes for breakfast.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Hey, everybody, No, you want me to you do however
you want. Hey, everybody, this is Dion the Wanderer, and
especially you, Sue this morning, I made you pancakes.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
That is beautiful, Dion. Thank you for all the hits,
Thank you for all the entertainment this new book, the
prologue by Eric Clapton, by the way, the forward by
Paul Simon. All your friends got involved on this one. Dion,
the rock and roll philosopher, the legendary Dion. Great to
talk with you. Thank you so much for taking the
time for us here in Nebraska today.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Thank you, Scott, have a great day.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Scott Boyes Mornings nine to eleven, Our News Radio eleven
ten KFAB
Scott Vorde. We love music on the show. One of
our favorites of all time is, of course, the legendary
Dione the start. Now he's a scene you adopto pots
Canny one. He's going to hurt him too. You keep
your eye on Ndomagon Sue. That's right. He wrote a
(00:21):
song for Nebraska's fearsome Endomican Sue once upon a time.
And we now welcome onto the program the legendary Dion Demucci. Dion,
good morning and welcome to Nebraska.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Scott. It's a pleasure to be with you, and joy,
thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
It's great to have you here. What feedback have you
received over the years from women named Sue?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
A lot of good feedback, A lot. I've been married
to a girl named Susan for like sixty two years.
We know each other for seventy.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah, that's that's a beautiful thing.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Good name and the song, and the song pays the rent.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Yeah, well you got a few songs that have paid
the rent. I love sitting down at the piano and
playing Teenager in Love, even though I'm not a teenager anymore.
And you're even further removed from being a teenager in love.
Can you tell us about the first time you were
a teenager in love?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Dion, Yeah, but you're still a teenager and love. Scott,
don't kid yourself.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
I wasn't even a teenager, and I was a teenager.
I've always been an old soul.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Well, you know, I fell in love with this girl, Susan.
She moved down from Vermont and she moved into the
Bronx where I was living. It was an Italian like ghetto,
you know, in the middle of the Bronx, and she
moved in and she just stole my heart. You know.
I was like, I was like sixteen years old. I
(01:53):
was going to school. I couldn't even hear the teachers.
I didn't I couldn't think of anything else but this girl.
And that was it. You know. I ended up. Actually,
I'm married to this girl, So I think i'll be
if I live to one hundred and twenty one, I'll
still be a teenager in love.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
I think it's probably unless you've got certainly the hardcore
fans who know about your life story. I think there
are a lot of people are surprised that you've been
with the same women for women for all these decades,
especially since another big hit of yours is The Wanderer,
And you know, the Wanderer tends to have a different
meaning now in advancing years, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
You know, the Wanderers. It's kind of a funny song
because it's about a guy. Again. Sometimes people think you're
always talking about yourself when you write a song, you know,
like it's always auto biographical, but it's not. It's you know,
you're kind of an actor, so you play the I'm
(02:57):
not saying I'm not in this song at all. But
the Wanderer is like a very thin veneer of being
a man. You know, it's very shallow. You know, he's
a guy running around. He's just using women. And then
in the middle of the song it says, I roam
from town to town. I go through life without a care.
I'm as happy as a clown with my two fists
(03:20):
of iron. But I'm going nowhere. So the guy sees
himself for a minute there, he sees himself accurately, but
then he just keeps traveling on. He doesn't know what
to do about it. But that song has been a
signature song for mine. I love it. It's a crazy
good song.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
It's over the top Yeah, it certainly is. And I
can't imagine how much fun it must have been to
write it, recorded, get in the studio, perform it, go
out on tour. As we're talking here with Dion. The
new book is The Rock and Roll Philosopher, and this
is available right now. When you were standing there on
stages singing the Wanderer and run around Zoo, what was
(04:02):
it like in those days there throughout the fifties and sixties,
just screaming crowds of teenagers. They probably wouldn't let you
sleep at night in the hotel. I mean, what was
that life like for you?
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Well, you know, it makes you feel like you're somebody special,
you know, and that's a dangerous thing sometimes, but I
mean it's a good feeling. But you know, sometimes God
will give you everything you want in order to show
you what you need. But a lot of people don't
look at what they need, you know. And you look
(04:37):
at the tabloids and you can see a lot of
unhappy stars, you know, and a lot of unhappy people
that make it and have everything they want. But it
does I gotta say it feels good.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Yeah, I mean it's you have a different perspective on it.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Now.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
I'm sure you probably didn't think about it quite that
way at the time, But your life has been a
theories of up and downs. You have battled addiction, you
come through the other side. You've been mentoring to others,
and that's what this book is about, Dion the rock
and roll philosopher. You've also been very clear and wearing
(05:16):
your heart on your sleeve here as it pertains to
your Catholic faith. Are you friends with Pope Francis and
and if so, have you talked with him here in
the last couple of weeks here since we've all been
watching this health scare with him.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
No, I never met him, and I don't know him.
I'm pretty close to Bishop Robert Baron, you know, he's, like,
I would say, a mentor, you know, somebody I look
up to and listen to a lot, you know. But yeah,
who would think that a guy like me would would
(05:53):
end up loving to go to church? And I do
these days.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
So yeah, that's it's a wonderful thing. And of course
we're we're hoping for the best for the Pope. It's uh,
it's been an interesting couple of weeks here and it's
been quiet the last few days, which we're hoping is
a good thing. As you look at other Dion's in
pop culture, who's the best singer you, Dion Warwick, Celene
(06:21):
Dion or Neon Dion Sanders.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
You know, listen, Dion Warwick is a great singer. I
mean she she is so distinctive and unique. And forget
about Celene Dion. I mean that girl, she's got great roots.
I mean she's a soul singer, you know, and uh,
who could who could? You can't deny Dion Sanders. Guys
(06:51):
one of the greatest sports figures in history, you know,
in my in my lifetime. So hey, uh, you know,
I think I was the first Deon. Let's so I'm
gonna like brag about that. You know in rock and
rolling blues there's a thing called bragging rights, So you know,
like I'm the Hucci Couci man, I'm the one that
(07:12):
I'm king of the New York streets. Well, I'm the
first of the I'm the Yeah, I'm the first Dan.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
That's right, and I understand it. Unless as Dion Warwick,
she's got to be in the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame for all the hits she had. I know,
you are do you go back to the ceremony every
year and just look at these kids getting inducted going
they don't know, they don't have any idea what they're doing.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
No. I was going back for quite a while, but
the last couple of induction ceremonies I haven't been to. Although,
like this year, I mean what I voted for John Fogani,
let's see who. I can't think who else was up there,
(08:02):
I forget, but I voted for a few of my
people that I love.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Yeah, and Fogarty is a great one. Well, Dion, you
are as well, and it's so good to talk with
you and discuss this book, Dion the Rock and Roll Philosopher,
talk about some of your great hits. We ask all
of our favorite guests on this program to say a
line for us that we feel is the best thing
to hear first thing in the morning. The line is,
good morning, honey, I made you pancakes for breakfast. But
(08:30):
because you're Dion, would you say good morning, Sue, I
made you pancakes for breakfast.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Hey, everybody, No, you want me to you do however
you want. Hey, everybody, this is Dion the Wanderer, and
especially you, Sue this morning, I made you pancakes.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
That is beautiful, Dion. Thank you for all the hits,
Thank you for all the entertainment this new book, the
prologue by Eric Clapton, by the way, the forward by
Paul Simon. All your friends got involved on this one. Dion,
the rock and roll philosopher, the legendary Dion. Great to
talk with you. Thank you so much for taking the
time for us here in Nebraska today.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Thank you, Scott, have a great day.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Scott Boyes Mornings nine to eleven, Our News Radio eleven
ten KFAB
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