Sunday, November 22, 2009

Jango Song Of The Day-Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons


Artist:Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Song:Sherry
Album The Very Best Of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons





I guess the best way to describe Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is The Last Doo Wop Group. They first broke in the early 60s and were one of the few groups to survive The British Invasion. The two main guys behind the group were lead singer Frankie Valli (born Francesco Castellucio May 3, 1934 in Newark, NJ) and keyboard player and songwriter Bob Gaudio (born Nov. 17, 1942 in Bronx, NY and grew up in Bergenfield, NJ). Valli had recorded as Frank Valley in 1953 and along with Four Seasons guitarist Tommy DeVito recorded as The Four Lovers. Meanwhile Gaudio was a member of The Royal Teens and co-wrote their big hit Short Shorts. They met when both were doing session work for producer Bob Crewe. Gaudio joined The Four Lovers in 1960 and the name was changed to The Four Seasons. The fourth member was Nick Massi. They signed with Vee-Jay Records in 1961. Sherry was their first chart hit and their first number one hit. Bob Gaudio wrote it as a tribute to Jackie Kennedy and the original title was Jackie Baby. The Four Seasons would have several more number one hits but Vee-Jay was in financial trouble and the group took legal action to switch to Philips Records in 1964. Their success continued until the late 60s when they moved to Motown's Mowest label. Valli has also had a significant solo career usually working with Gaudio. This Rhino comp has all their 60s hits. The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990 and of course the show Jersey Boys is about them. They've had a lot of longevity. Heres Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons performing a medley of hits 1967.

No comments:

Post a Comment