October 23, 1961 – Dion Hits #1 with “Runaround Sue” On this day in 1961, Dion DiMucci—fresh off his split from The Belmonts—scored a massive solo hit when “Runaround Sue” reached #1 on the U.S. charts and climbed to #11 in the U.K. It became his signature song and one of the defining records of early ’60s rock and roll. Written by Dion and Ernie Maresca, “Runaround Sue” captures that classic Bronx street-corner energy—complete with handclaps, doo-wop harmonies, and a catchy beat that made it ir