OK, they're older than me and they were Bronx ginzos off of Belmont Avenue and I was an Irish kid from near the piers in Brooklyn but I never heard this in my entire life until tonight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmi3yYJm ... re=related

Interesting story about Dion's life.

http://www.diondimucci.com/journey.html

Very interesting and uplifting..There is a way back for those afflicted Dion's story is a testament to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUn0vvgE ... re=related
(a beautiful visual)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPbPaYug ... re=related
(a recent live performance)

Sammie, thanks so much for posting Dion's story. The next time I'm back at Belmont, I'll order your drink of choice for you.

I've loved this song forever--and its been way too long since I've heard it--no one who has ever covered it--can sing it like this man who wrote it. Its a quiet night, here in my hotel room, handicapping, for Saratoga's Wednesday card, and you've really made me smile. This song is one that has reached across decades, and it'll continue to.

One of my parent's best friends was a radio station manager and he knew music like few people I've known. He too, died young, of cancer, and this was his favorite song--of all time.

Thanks again.