The Past Meets the Present (Where or When · Dion and the Belmonts)

         I was raised by a woman who believed that only one type of music needed to exist.  She tolerated some others...but her heart...her soul... lived in the time of the 50's.  So as a young child and throughout my life I have cherished these songs as well.  I went through a strange period in my young teens when I couldn't get enough of the sounds and stories that came along with this music.   Ironically, my six-year-old's birthday party theme just yesterday was also the 50's.  It has all come in a strange circle.  When I hear these songs it takes me back to a woman with a huge smile dragging me through the streets of the Italian Feast to see the bands that originally sang them.  I also was given only one piece of the legacy of the life of my uncle...a box of 45's with more of this music.  It only increased the love.
      All that time as a young kid I had no idea that I was only two degrees of separation from a legendary band member.   Dion and the Belmonts is THE classic 50's group and my best neighborhood buddy was the nephew of the one and only Fred Milano.
     Last summer I had the privilege to meet this man all of these years later.  He was singing on a porch at a summer party.  He strummed a guitar and harmonized with his dear friends and family.  A legend...right there.  It was exciting but not as exciting as hearing the stories of the life that his career brought to him and his family.  His family is probably one of the most passionate groups of people I have ever had the honor to be around.  They tell stories...bigger than life, love bigger than mountains and laugh louder than thunder.  They embrace their family and lives with enthusiasm.  Almost fifty years of marriage and you can see the love of a wife...the devotion of his children...the bonds of his family.  Any time spent in their presence is not only wildly entertaining but a rare gift in this world.  This man, his legacy and his life were very special and I regret that I  didn't get to a show before he left us...but find some comfort that I will forever get to hear his music.   Though he will missed dearly here on Earth by so many...it is nice to know that the music in heaven just got a little bit sweeter. 

Be always at peace and a some harmony as well, Fred Milano.