Dion, a former teen idol, was deeply influenced by blues and country music. He had his first hit, "I Wonder Why," in 1958, with the doo-wop group The Belmonts. Originally broadcast in 2000.

This is FRESH AIR. I'm Terry Gross. Today, we conclude our archive series, R&B, Rockabilly and Early Rock 'n' Roll, with Allen Toussaint, who we'll hear from later and Dion. If you've ever dismissed ...