Fred Milano (August 26, 1939 – January 1, 2012) was an American doo-wop singer of Italian descent. Born in the Bronx, New York, he was a member (second tenor) of The Belmonts who became successful in the late 1950s as Dion and the Belmonts,[1] and in the early 1960s.[2][3][4] The Belmonts got their name from the street that Milano lived on, Belmont Avenue.
He had participated in every one of the Belmonts' recording sessions dating back 54 years.[5] Dion DiMucci said of his death; "I was shocked, obviously, because it was so sudden. It was already in stage four when he found out there was anything wrong with him. It hit hard because a relationship like we had, it’s ingrained in you. We knew each other from our teenage boyhoods; even though we weren’t close and didn’t talk in later years, what we went through together made us like family. He and the Belmonts — they were the very best. Freddie was almost like a genius with vocal harmony. I was humbled to sing with Freddie, Carlo and Angelo."[6]
In 2000, Dion and the Belmonts were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Milano died on January 1, 2012, from lung cancer in New York, at the age of 72.[2]
Discography
Singles
Mohawk Records
"Santa Margherita" / "Teen-Age Clementine" (1957) - The Belmonts
"Tag Along" / "We Went Away" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
Laurie Records
"I Wonder Why" / "Teen Angel" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
"No One Knows" / "I Can't Go On (Rosalie)" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
"Don't Pity Me" / "Just You" (1958) - Dion and the Belmonts
"A Teenager in Love" / "Ive Cried Before" (1959) - Dion and the Belmonts
"A Lover's Prayer" / "Every Little Thing I Do" (1959) - Dion and the Belmonts
"Where or When" / "That's My Desire" (1960) - Dion and the Belmonts
