January 1: Fred Milano of Dion and the Belmonts died on this date in 2012...

... he was 72-years-old when he died from lung cancer.

The "doo wop group" The Belmonts began singing in the mid 1950s. They took their first name from Belmont Avenue in the Bronx. During 1958–1960 the group was named Dion and the Belmonts with Dion DiMucci, as lead singer, and Milano singing tenor.

"I Wonder Why" brought them their first real success, charting in 1958.

Due to differences between DiMucci and other members of the Belmonts, Dion left the group. (Plus, Dion was reportedly struggling with a heroin problem at the time.) The group continued as "The Belmonts," but without much success. Their biggest separate hit was "Tell Me Why" in 1961, peaking at #18. Other songs included "I Confess" and "Come On Little Angel." They had a total of six minor hits on the US top 100 between 1961 and 1963.

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