Dion King Of The New York Streets Really Is The Rock & Roll Philosopher

Dion: The King of the New York Streets is Really The Rock 'n' Roll Philosopher **By Edward Wrobleski** Host & Producer of "Talking Hendrix," "Let The Good Times Roll," & "Sunday Morning Tea & Coffee With Ed Wrobleski" on [www.bostonfreeradio.com] January 28, 2026** At 86 years of age, Dion DiMucci still has it. He is still rockin' on with his latest release, "The Rock & Roll Philosopher", a companion compilation piece to go along with his book that he released last year with the same title featuring bluesy, gritty rock tunes sprinkled with phenomenal guitar virtuosos—including Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa, Mark Knopfler, and Sonny Landreth. Of course, there are some great re-recorded classics, including "Runaround Sue," "Ruby Baby," and "The Wanderer." However, the best re-recorded classic is Dion's poetic "Abraham, Martin and John": a critically acclaimed tribute to three great men who gave us the rights and freedom we know today. It is a stripped-down, melodic version of the true classic Dion made big in 1968. It stands the test of time today, allowing you to learn a little bit of history set to music. "King of the New York Streets" is a live recording from his return to the rock and blues world, *Yo Frankie*, which was originally released in 1989. I’ll admit, this live version has a little more grit and bite versus the original studio version. The album kicks off with a kick-ass blues-rock tune entitled "I Am Your Gangster of Love," which keeps your foot tapping and sticks in your mind for hours and days to come. "New York Minute" brings you back to a simpler time and the roots of where it all started for Dion. I would consider it semi-biographical; if you know your history about this pioneer of rock and roll, you know he's from New York—the Bronx, to be exact. Let’s face it, you can never write enough songs about where you’re from. That’s how you know which artists really mean it when talking about home: do you really miss it, or is it just to save face with your audience? New York is definitely something special. If you’ve never been there, you can’t say much just because you saw something on television; it’s an experience you cannot forget once you’ve gone there. "If You Want to Rock & Roll" features two legends: Dion on vocals and a master of his craft, Eric Clapton, on guitar. As a guitarist still rockin' as he gets on in age, it seems as though Clapton just keeps getting better and better at what he does. As stated at the beginning of this article, this album has a little something for everyone. For those who have never heard the classics like "Runaround Sue" or "Abraham, Martin and John," they will feel fresh and new. For those of us who have heard them all these years since they were recorded originally, these re-recordings prove that the sixties never really left us. Sixty years on, Dion sounds the same as he did when he recorded those songs all those years ago. This compilation has the perfect balance and mix of Dion’s career. You get to hear a great sample of all he’s done in the last sixty-nine years, and his voice has never changed. It’s truly amazing what he’s still doing now, including working on a Broadway show and making a documentary. There is a saying that "Rock & Roll keeps you young and viable." There has to be some truth in that, and the proof is Dion DiMucci himself—still rockin' through several decades with so much still to create and tell. Keep the blues and rock and roll coming; as long as you’re out there doing what you do, everyone will keep coming to see you do it. This album gets 5 out of 5 stars across the board.