The Four Seasons (group)

The Four Seasons are an American pop and doo wop group, distinct from many similar groups of the 1950s and 60s in their traditional Italian-American sound.

Overview

Lead singer Frankie Valli began recording in 1953, but The Four Seasons (Valli, Bob Gaudio on keyboards, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar, and Nick Massi on bass), which formed in 1960, didn't release their first hit until "Sherry" in 1962. Massi left the band in 1965 and was briefly replaced by arranger Charles Calello before Joe Long became a mainstay on bass for the next 10 years. After many more personnel changes, the band still tours today, but Valli is the only original member left.

Related Topics:
Frankie Valli - 1953 - Bob Gaudio - Tommy DeVito - Nick Massi - 1960 - 1962 - Charles Calello - Joe Long

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Under the guidance of producer/songwriter Bob Crewe, The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Candy Girl". In the mid 1960s, the British Invasion slowed down their career somewhat, but the Four Seasons released several more big hits in 1964, such as "Dawn", "Rag Doll", "Big Man in Town", "Ronnie" and "Save It for Me". Several more Top 10 singles followed, including "Let's Hang On", "Working My Way Back To You", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", and "C'mon Marianne"; but by 1967 the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. The band would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid 1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God", and "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)". The latter of the 3 songs was re-introduced in 1994 with the original vocals but an edgier dance background beat and reached #14 on the pop charts.

Related Topics:
Producer - Songwriter - Bob Crewe - 1960s - British Invasion - 1964 - 1970s - December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)

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The band name is also the name of a legal partnership, The 4 Seasons Partnership, that Valli and Gaudio entered into at the start of their careers, agreeing to split all the proceeds from their musical efforts 50-50. The partnership continues to this day.

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The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Jersey Boys, a musical play based on the lives of The Four Seasons, is running at the La Jolla (California) Playhouse through January 2, 2005 and is headed for Broadway.

Related Topics:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 1990 - Vocal Group Hall of Fame - 1999 - January 2 - 2005 - Broadway

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