10 Facts About Ernie Maresca

Ernest Peter Maresca was an American singer, songwriter and record company executive, best known for writing or co-writing some of Dion's biggest hits, including "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer".

Ernie Maresca began singing and writing in a doo-wop group, the Monterays, later renamed as the Desires, and, after Maresca left, as the Regents, who had a hit with "Barbara Ann".

Ernie Maresca then began songwriting full-time, and recording his own demos.

Ernie Maresca wrote "Runaround Sue" with Dion, and then other big hits with and for him.

Ernie Maresca co-wrote Dion's follow-up hits, "Lovers Who Wander"; and "Donna the Prima Donna".

In 1961, Ernie Maresca was offered a recording contract with Seville, a small New York label.

Ernie Maresca continued to record, with less success, for the remainder of the 1960s, both under his own name and using the pseudonym Artie Chicago, including his own version of "The Wanderer" in 1968.

Ernie Maresca wrote, along with Jimmy Curtiss, the Jimmie Rodgers 1967 comeback hit, "Child of Clay".

Ernie Maresca continued to work until the 2000s, as a consultant to EMI and administrator of Laurie's publishing.

Ernie Maresca died on July 8,2015, at his home in South Florida, after a brief illness at the age of 76.