Overview
This blog thread is all about the Four Seasons, the rock group whose lead singer is Frankie Valli, and various people associated with them. In post-revision history, the Four Seasons will be shaped into much more of a rock group.
Country: United States
Origin: Newark, New Jersey
Formed: 1960
Years active: 1960-present
Genre: Rock
Short description: Italian-American rock band
The Four Seasons are an American rock band. The band members consist of lead singer Frankie Valli (born May 3, 1937 in Newark, NJ), lead and rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tommy DeVito (born June 19, 1936 in Newark), keyboardist and backing vocalist Bob Gaudio (born November 17, 1942 in Bronx, NY), bass guitarist and backing vocalist Nick Massi (born September 19, 1935 in Newark), and drummer/percussionist Joe Russo (my invention, born January 17, 1936 in Newark). All five members of the Four Seasons are of Italian descent. The band evolved from the Variety Trio (formed 1951) into the Varietones (1954) into the Four Lovers (1956) until the band’s name was changed to the Four Seasons in January 1960.
While there had been a series of highly successful American bands performing the then new genre known as rock music between 1958 and 1960, the Four Seasons were the first rock band to become internationally and phenomenally popular and successful. The band laid the groundwork through their albums and singles not only for future American rock bands, but also for bands from other countries, most notably the Beatles in England.
The high success of the Four Seasons may be attributed to their distinctive sound, marked by influences of doo-wop as well as being inspired by early rock music, rock and roll, country and western music, the blues, and R&B. Additionally, the Four Seasons Sound was often characterized by harmonies traditional to popular music as well as 7th chords and blue notes commonly used in previous rock music and rock and roll. Frankie Valli’s falsetto, which will be kept by the way, makes the Four Seasons one of the first rock bands (if not the first) to frequently utilize the lead vocal as a falsetto. The band remained true to rock music throughout their vast repertoire of songs on their albums and singles; emphasis on electric guitar and drums making use of backbeat were dominant in every song the band has recorded. The rock band’s use of orchestral and brass band instruments in their songs was extremely rare. From 1975 to 1978, the band recorded several rock songs that also fit the disco genre, much like the Rolling Stones had done during that period.
All five members of the Four Seasons converted to the Baptist faith on May 2, 1965, following the lead of Tommy DeVito’s brother, classical musician Anthony DeVito (my invention, born 1932), who converted in 1962. The Four Seasons received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1966. They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, due to the efforts of their longtime producers, Herbie Mandel (my invention, full name Herbert Solomon Mandel, born August 2, 1918 in Brooklyn, NY) and Bob Crewe (full name Robert Stanley Crewe, born November 12, 1930 in Newark). Prior to this, they had been nominated into the institution upon its opening year, 1986, but were not selected the first time, due to the induction of various acts whose careers started in the 1950s (the birth of rock and roll), such as Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Buddy Holly. The 1987 ceremony was attended by all five band members in addition to Mandel and Crewe and the other surviving inductees.
The Four Seasons Museum in Newark, NJ, a museum dedicated to the Four Seasons and memorabilia associated with them, opened its doors in April 1985 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the rock band’s recording debut as “The Four Seasons”, as marked on their first hit single and album, both released in April 1960.
Frankie Valli is an American singer, best known for being the lead singer of Italian-American rock band the Four Seasons from 1960 to the present day, where he has been known for his falsetto. His vocal range of high tenor enables him to sing falsetto with ease. Valli has a four-octave range. His full name is Francis Stephen Valli.
Frankie Valli was born Francis Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1937 in Newark, NJ, the eldest of the three sons of Anthony and Mary Castelluccio. Frankie was friends with future band mates Tommy DeVito, Joe Russo, and Nick Massi since his very early childhood. He was inspired at age 7 by Frank Sinatra, whom his parents took Frankie to see in concert.
Valli began his professional career in early January 1952 as a singer in local venues. His talent landed him with a single cut for Corona Records in 1953 under the name Frankie Valley. Valli was only 16 at the time. He became a member of the Variety Trio in 1954, joining close friends Tommy DeVito, Tommy’s brother Nick, and Hank Majewski. Subsequently, the band changed their name to the Varietones. The band was renamed the Four Lovers in 1956, and that same year they cut their first single for RCA Victor, with Milt Gabler (1911-2001) as the producer. Gabler is well-known for producing the hit song “Rock Around The Clock” for the band Bill Haley and the Comets. Nick DeVito and Hank Majewski left the Four Lovers in 1958, and were replaced by Hugh Garrity and Nick Macioci (known as Massi since 1960). Massi spent five months with the band before leaving temporarily and being replaced by Charlie Calello. Garrity left the Lovers in June 1959, being replaced by former RoyalTeen Bob Gaudio. Calello quit in July 1959, and Nick Massi returned to take his place, bringing drummer Joe Russo with him.
In September 1959, Valli received a letter from record producer Herbie Mandel, who had been in partnership with Bob Crewe for eight months. The message was about an invitation to an audition at Columbia Records offered by the two producers. After Valli accepted, he took his band mates with him the next day to Columbia, where they did very well at the audition. After they got their recording contract, Crewe suggested that Valli start using more of the higher part of his range for falsetto vocals. Lead singers of doo-wop groups often sang falsetto, doo-wop was a popular genre of pop music in September 1959, and Valli had a very high voice. The group’s first single for Columbia, released in October, was in a pop rock genre reminiscent of doo-wop. When that single failed to chart, four major changes were suggested by Mandel and Crewe, and the changes were accepted. Frankie Valley changed his name to Valli (reflecting the last name of female singer “Texas” Jean Valli, who helped Frankie cut his first record in 1953); Nick Macioci shortened his name to Massi; and the Four Lovers became the Four Seasons, derived from a local bowling establishment named “The 4 Seasons”, where they had failed to make an impression shortly after Massi rejoined the band. The other big change was that the Four Seasons make rock their genre, since Elvis Presley and others were already highly successful with it. Gaudio and Crewe added their personal touch to the band’s rock genre, giving it its uniqueness.
The band’s rock genre has become known as the Four Seasons Sound. It incorporated vocal harmonies and elements of doo-wop, with Valli alternating between falsetto and full voice, and the rest of the Seasons singing backing vocals. Joe Russo, the Seasons’ drummer, has almost never sung backing vocals to the Seasons.
The Four Seasons recorded their debut single on March 12, 1960, and it was released on April 1, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early May. The band’s singles consistently made the Top 40 from 1960 to 1980, thus partially comprising the band’s string of hits. Frankie Valli became a Baptist in May 1965, during a time when the Four Seasons were still one of the hottest rock bands. He began a “solo” career two months later, in which Mandel and Crewe remained the producers; and DeVito, Gaudio, and Massi always sang and/or played their instruments in the background, along with drummer Joe Russo. Frankie Valli lives in his native Newark, but also has a residence in Calabasas, California.
Tommy DeVito is an American singer and musician, best known for being a member of the Four Seasons, a very popular rock band active from 1960 to the present day. Since the band’s debut, DeVito has played lead and rhythm guitar and sang background vocals with his baritone vocal range. Thomas Louis DeVito was born on June 19, 1936 in Newark, the sixth of ten children of George and Mary DeVito, who were first-generation Italian Americans. His father owned a music shop in Newark, and he became interested in music at a very young age, learning to play guitar from the same teacher his older brother Anthony had, at first learning classical guitar pieces, then progressing into country and western songs. Thus, DeVito started his professional career on country and western music. Sometime after this, he moved on to blues, R&B, and rock and roll.
DeVito began his professional career in January 1951 as a member of the Variety Trio, along with his brother Nick and their friend Hank Majewski. This band also played in the background of Frankie Valli, who began his career singing solo from 1952 to 1954, after he was convinced by Tommy DeVito to join his band. No longer a trio, the band changed their name to the Varietones, and in 1956, to the Four Lovers. Nick DeVito and Hank Majewski left the Four Lovers in June 1958 and were replaced by Nick Massi and Hugh Garrity. Massi left temporarily in November, being replaced by Charlie Calello. Garrity left in June 1959 and was replaced by ex-RoyalTeen Bob Gaudio; Calello quit in July 1959 and Massi returned to replace him. Massi was accompanied by drummer Joe Russo.
Two months after the last change, the band was noticed at a Newark venue by record producers Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe, who were working as partners with Columbia Records. After Mandel contacted Valli, the group went to Columbia, where they passed their audition and signed a recording contract. After the band’s first single for the label failed, several changes were suggested by Mandel and Crewe. The two major ones were that the Four Lovers would become the Four Seasons, and that they would adopt a Gaudio-Crewe influenced rock genre. The band’s following single, released in April 1960, became a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Following this, the popularity of the Four Seasons was unstoppable for at least 20 years, and since the band’s establishment as the Four Seasons, Tommy DeVito has been recognized as the founder of the band.
DeVito and his first wife became Baptists in May 1965, along with three brothers, Majewski, Valli, Gaudio, Massi, and Russo. Anthony DeVito, who became a Baptist three years earlier, talked everyone into it. Tommy’s youngest brother Joey became a Baptist in 1967. Tommy DeVito lives in his native Newark, but also has a home in Los Angeles.
Bob Gaudio is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known for being a member of the Four Seasons, a very popular rock band active from 1960 to the present day. Gaudio has the vocal range of a tenor. In addition to being one of the band’s members, playing keyboard and singing background vocals, he has worked with the band as one of their chief songwriters. Robert John Gaudio was born on November 17, 1942 in the Bronx, and raised in Bergenfield, New Jersey. He started playing piano as a hobby at a very young age. He started pursuing a professional career in popular music in late June 1957, getting together with his peers and playing a combination of pop and rock and roll with them, privately but fairly frequently. They officially formed as the RoyalTeens on August 17, 1957, and began performing in public with that name soon after.
The group became popular locally, and was discovered by an executive for a local record label two months later. The executive promptly invited the RoyalTeens to the record company, where they received a recording contract. Gaudio wrote the group’s biggest hit, “Short Shorts”, in late November 1957, shortly after turning 15. He remained with the RoyalTeens until joining the Four Lovers on June 5, 1959 as the replacement for band member Hugh Garrity, who quit the previous day. The rest of the members of the band were lead singer Frankie Valli (then known as Valley), Tommy DeVito, and Charlie Calello. The Four Lovers, whose genre was R&B mixed with rock and roll and elements of doo-wop and pop, had been releasing singles under several names since that group was formed in 1956. Calello quit on July 6, 1959, being replaced the next day by Nick Massi (then known as Macioci, his surname at birth), who was previously with the band between June and November of 1958. Nick Massi brought drummer Joe Russo with him. On August 6, they failed an audition at a bowling establishment in Union Township, New Jersey, known as “The 4 Seasons”. Though disgruntled at their failure, they continued to chug along with hope through continuing their nightly gigs at a Newark venue.
On the night of September 5, 1959, when the band was performing one of its gigs, record producing partners Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe observed the concert. The two men had affiliation with Columbia Records, with somewhat modest success with the artists they were then producing for. After the concert, the producers enjoyed it very much and got the names of the band members, and obtained Frankie Valli’s home address from one of his close friends. Mandel sent a letter to Valli the next day offering him an invitation to Columbia Records for an audition. Valli accepted, and brought his band mates with him to the record company on September 8. There, they did very well at their audition and signed a recording contract as a result. The Four Lovers recorded their first single for Columbia on September 11. The single was released October 2, with the band listed with the name “The Village Voices”. It failed to make the Billboard Hot 100, and the band was compelled to make a significant change. On January 16, 1960, the band decided to officially change its name, and all seven men were put to the task. After exploring several possibilities, they arrived at “The 4 Seasons”, the name of the local bowling establishment they had failed to impress. Right after that, Herbie Mandel modified the band name to “The Four Seasons” to make it sound more appealing. Mandel felt the name change was also appropriate in that it made reference to not only the bowling establishment, but also to the famous set of violin concertos by 18th century Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.
For the band’s debut as the Four Seasons, Gaudio independently wrote a set of two songs within one hour on February 12, 1960. The band recorded the two songs on March 12, and they were released as a single on April 1. The single became a hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 by early May. From that moment on, the Four Seasons consistently scored with hit singles on a regular basis, but the band’s first #1 hit single did not come until 1962. Gaudio went to work on a new song in July of that year and wrote it within half an hour. After some debate on what to call it, he and the producers agreed with “Sherry”. “Sherry” was released in August, and reached #1 the next month, remaining there for five weeks.
Gaudio was introduced to his future first wife, Ruthie Caruso, by fellow band mate Nick Massi late in December 1963 after Christmas (This event had a big impact on Gaudio’s life (plus, it was about a week before the Beatles’ song “I Want To Hold Your Hand” topped the Billboard Hot 100, kicking off the British Invasion, in which the Beatles surpassed the Four Seasons in popularity), so that in November 1975, with December not far away, he adapted this time setting to a completely different love story for the song “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)”; the single with this song as the A-side was released in December 1975 and topped the charts in early 1976). Gaudio and Caruso were married in early November 1964, though the marriage ended in divorce in 1973, and Bob remarried in 1977. On May 2, 1965, Gaudio and his first wife became Baptists along with the rest of the Seasons and their spouses. The Four Seasons and their friends and family became Baptists due in part to their abhorrence of alcohol, tobacco, and other toxins (This hatred was first instilled upon DeVito as a child by his older brother Anthony; he then passed it on to his friends, including Massi, Russo, and Valli; the hatred was inherited by Gaudio when DeVito passed it on to him shortly before he played in his first gig with the Four Lovers). Bob Gaudio has lived in Newark since January 1960, but also has homes in his native Bergenfield and Santa Monica, California.
Nick Massi is an American singer and musician, best known for being a member of the Four Seasons, a very popular rock band active from 1960 to the present day. His full name is Nicholas Eugene Massi. Since the band’s debut, Massi has played bass guitar and sang background vocals with his bass vocal range. Nick Massi was born Nicholas Eugene Macioci on September 19, 1935 in Newark. He was friends with Hank Majewski, Joe Russo, Nickie and Tommy DeVito, and Frankie Valli from very early childhood.
Nick Massi began performing in local venues in March 1950 alongside various local bands before joining a band with Hugh Garrity in 1953. He and Garrity disbanded that group by leaving in June 1958 and joined the Four Lovers to replace Majewski and Nickie DeVito, who were band members (the other two were Valli and Tommy DeVito). Massi left the Four Lovers temporarily five months later, being replaced by Charlie Calello; but Garrity remained with the band until June 1959, when he was replaced by the former RoyalTeens member Bob Gaudio. Massi’s hiatus from the band ended when he returned to replace Calello, who decided to quit, in July 1959. Massi brought Joe Russo, playing as drummer, with him.
Two months later, the Four Lovers ended up at Columbia Records following an invitation from record producers Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe, both of whom had observed the band performing a gig at a Newark venue. The band passed their audition at Columbia and signed a recording contract with the label. After their first Columbia single, released in October 1959, flopped, several drastic changes were suggested by Mandel and Crewe. Massi, who had been using his birth name professionally, shortened his surname to its current form. The Four Lovers were renamed the Four Seasons, derived from the local bowling establishment known as the 4 Seasons, where they once failed to make an impression shortly after Massi’s return to the band. Frankie Valley became Valli. The last major change was that the Four Seasons be strictly a rock band. The Four Seasons recorded their first single in March 1960, being released in April and becoming a Top 5 hit by early May. At this moment, the band soared to great fame and fortune, and their Golden Age didn’t end until 1980.
Nick Massi has also become known for arranging music by the Four Seasons with former Four Lovers member Charlie Calello. Massi became a Baptist in May 1965. In the Four Seasons’ early years, his deep bass voice was often given solo lines in the band’s hits, but as time went by and new trends came for the band to adjust to, the lines have become less frequent. Nick Massi lives in his native Newark, but also has a residence in Los Angeles.
Joe Russo is an American musician, best known as being the drummer and percussionist for the Italian-American rock band the Four Seasons from 1960 to the present day. He has the vocal range of a bass-baritone. Although he is not considered one of the Four Seasons, Russo is in fact one of the band members (and is often nicknamed the “Fifth Season”); with the four main members being Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi.
Joseph John Russo was born on January 17, 1936 in Newark, the fourth child of Lawrence John Russo (1903-2009) and Michelle Isabelle Di Stefano Russo (1907-2007). He was a childhood friend of Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. His youngest sister is Mary Russo, the first wife of Four Seasons lead singer Frankie Valli, another of Russo’s childhood friends.
Russo began performing with various bands in local venues in early September 1950 alongside his friend Nick Massi. Joe Russo was performing between June and November 1958 with Tommy DeVito’s band the Four Lovers during the time Massi was a member. Russo rejoined the band, when Nick Massi permanently became a member of what would later become the Four Seasons, in July 1959.
Joe Russo and his first wife converted to the Baptist religion in May 1965 when Frankie and Mary Valli did, along with DeVito, Gaudio, and Massi. Joe Russo lives in his native Newark, but also has a residence in Los Angeles.
Herbie Mandel is a retired American record producer and blues singer. He is best known for being the executive producer of the rock band the Four Seasons from 1960 to 2022. Mandel is a devout Reform Jew and has Asperger’s Syndrome, and his height is 6 feet, 8 inches. He is also a patriotic Republican and has supported Republicans such as Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater and Presidents Ronald Reagan, Alan Keyes, and Donald Trump.
Herbert Solomon Mandel was born on August 2, 1918 in Brooklyn, the tenth of fourteen children born to Russian immigrants. He began his career in June 1936 as the bass singer in a teenage barbershop quartet. On April 25, 1941, he began a solo career with a recording of his first single. It was released May 13 and gave Mandel national exposure and recognition. Herbie Mandel was also responsible in his day for helping to break the racial barrier in the blues music industry. He recorded with his very deep bass vocals up to his retirement in 2022. He landed himself a job as an assistant record producer working with Columbia Records in 1942, working with a variety of blues and R&B acts. His older brother Art became an executive at Columbia Records during this period. By 1949, Herbie was producing on his own. Between late 1956 and early 1957, during a time when Elvis Presley was hugely popular, he and his brother Art convinced Columbia Records executive Mitch Miller that rock and roll was a force to be reckoned with, and that rock and roll artists be accepted and signed to the label. A little later on, Art Mandel would sign major rock bands to the Columbia label, most notably the Silver Sharks, the Grenades, and the Grasshoppers. While producer Bob Crewe worked with Frank Slay, Herbie Mandel produced solo until January 1959, when Crewe split with Slay and joined in partnership with Mandel.
In September 1959, when Mandel and Crewe signed the band that soon became known as the Four Seasons to a recording contract, it was arranged that Mandel would be their executive producer, and that Crewe would be their co-producer. When not working with the Seasons, Mandel sometimes produced without Crewe’s involvement, and vice-versa. When the band adopted “The Four Seasons” as their official name, they became exclusively a rock band upon Mandel’s suggestion. Thus, the Four Seasons became the first major rock band to get its start in the 1960s.
During the British Invasion (1964-1966), Mandel was responsible for helping develop the Four Seasons into a band with a sound of even harder edged rock and with increasingly more songs incorporating blues elements. Facial hair grew increasingly popular among popular music artists during the late 1960s. Nevertheless, Mandel’s insistence on a clean-shaven look for the band remained unchanged. The Four Seasons were always very fond of their executive producer, so they went against the common grain by accepting his insistence.
Mandel is also largely responsible for keeping the Four Seasons lineup of Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, and Joe Russo unchanged. He did not want to see the Four Seasons, which he called his “dream band”, to have any departures and replacements the way other bands have had, as he explained to the band’s members. In his mind, as it is in mine, replacing any of the members of that band would be like replacing one of the Beatles, or Mick Jagger in the Rolling Stones.
Herbie Mandel lives in his native Brooklyn, but also has residences in Newark, Manhattan, and Los Angeles. He retired alongside Bob Crewe on October 21, 2022. His wife, Bessie Mandel, is much shorter than he is. Bessie’s height is 5 feet, 3 inches.
Crewe created his first partnership with pianist Frank Slay in 1953. They went on to write and produce several hit songs of the 1950s. After he ended his partnership with Slay toward the end of the decade, Bob Crewe joined in partnership with Herbie Mandel in January 1959, though he would continue to produce for some artists without Mandel involved.
Crewe and Mandel observed the Four Lovers performing a gig at a Newark venue one night in early September 1959. The lineup consisted of original members Frankie Valley and Tommy DeVito, as well as recent arrivals Bob Gaudio and Nick Macioci, along with drummer Joe Russo, who joined with Macioci. The partners, who were working with Columbia Records at the time, enjoyed the performance so much that they got the band to come to Columbia for an audition. The band passed their audition and signed their recording contract. After a discussion between the band and the producers, it was agreed that Mandel would be the band’s executive producer, and Crewe would be their co-producer and manager.
The band’s first single for Columbia was recorded soon after and released in October 1959. After that single flopped, changes were implemented on the Four Lovers in January 1960. Valley became Valli; Macioci became Massi; and most importantly, the Four Lovers became the Four Seasons. In addition, Mandel suggested that the Four Seasons be strictly a rock band, since they looked like one with their instruments at hand. As a result, Crewe and Gaudio developed a unique rock style for the band, later becoming known as the Four Seasons Sound. After these changes, the Four Seasons recorded their first single on March 12. It was released in April and became a Top 5 hit in early May. Mandel and Crewe remained the Four Seasons’ producers until they retired on October 21, 2022.
Bob Crewe shuttles between his homes in Newark and Los Angeles.
Francine Valli (born April 30, 1960) married Vincent David “Vinny” Cassini (born June 29, 1958) on January 23, 1977.
The Four Seasons Quick Facts
Aliases: Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Frankie Valli, the Wonder Who?Country: United States
Origin: Newark, New Jersey
Formed: 1960
Years active: 1960-present
Genre: Rock
Short description: Italian-American rock band
Description
The Four Seasons are an American rock band. The band members consist of lead singer Frankie Valli (born May 3, 1937 in Newark, NJ), lead and rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tommy DeVito (born June 19, 1936 in Newark), keyboardist and backing vocalist Bob Gaudio (born November 17, 1942 in Bronx, NY), bass guitarist and backing vocalist Nick Massi (born September 19, 1935 in Newark), and drummer/percussionist Joe Russo (my invention, born January 17, 1936 in Newark). All five members of the Four Seasons are of Italian descent. The band evolved from the Variety Trio (formed 1951) into the Varietones (1954) into the Four Lovers (1956) until the band’s name was changed to the Four Seasons in January 1960.While there had been a series of highly successful American bands performing the then new genre known as rock music between 1958 and 1960, the Four Seasons were the first rock band to become internationally and phenomenally popular and successful. The band laid the groundwork through their albums and singles not only for future American rock bands, but also for bands from other countries, most notably the Beatles in England.
The high success of the Four Seasons may be attributed to their distinctive sound, marked by influences of doo-wop as well as being inspired by early rock music, rock and roll, country and western music, the blues, and R&B. Additionally, the Four Seasons Sound was often characterized by harmonies traditional to popular music as well as 7th chords and blue notes commonly used in previous rock music and rock and roll. Frankie Valli’s falsetto, which will be kept by the way, makes the Four Seasons one of the first rock bands (if not the first) to frequently utilize the lead vocal as a falsetto. The band remained true to rock music throughout their vast repertoire of songs on their albums and singles; emphasis on electric guitar and drums making use of backbeat were dominant in every song the band has recorded. The rock band’s use of orchestral and brass band instruments in their songs was extremely rare. From 1975 to 1978, the band recorded several rock songs that also fit the disco genre, much like the Rolling Stones had done during that period.
All five members of the Four Seasons converted to the Baptist faith on May 2, 1965, following the lead of Tommy DeVito’s brother, classical musician Anthony DeVito (my invention, born 1932), who converted in 1962. The Four Seasons received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1966. They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, due to the efforts of their longtime producers, Herbie Mandel (my invention, full name Herbert Solomon Mandel, born August 2, 1918 in Brooklyn, NY) and Bob Crewe (full name Robert Stanley Crewe, born November 12, 1930 in Newark). Prior to this, they had been nominated into the institution upon its opening year, 1986, but were not selected the first time, due to the induction of various acts whose careers started in the 1950s (the birth of rock and roll), such as Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Buddy Holly. The 1987 ceremony was attended by all five band members in addition to Mandel and Crewe and the other surviving inductees.
The Four Seasons Museum in Newark, NJ, a museum dedicated to the Four Seasons and memorabilia associated with them, opened its doors in April 1985 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the rock band’s recording debut as “The Four Seasons”, as marked on their first hit single and album, both released in April 1960.
Notes
- As a result of the Four Seasons being much more of a rock band as described here than in the current timeline or version of history, one can expect the band’s repertoire of singles and album tracks to be played routinely on classic rock stations as well as oldies stations.
- As a side note, one can also expect to hear a lot of Elvis and the Beach Boys on classic rock stations as well. Besides songs that are already considered classic rock in this timeline, as well as songs by Elvis, the Four Seasons, and the Beach Boys, classic rock fans will also hear a lot of Chuck Berry songs (i.e. “Johnny B. Goode”) and early hits by the Beatles (i.e. “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, “A Hard Day’s Night”) and the Stones (i.e. “It’s All Over Now”, “The Last Time”).
- Just like classic rock stations of the current timeline or version of history generally lack Four Seasons songs as well as those by Elvis and the Beach Boys in their libraries, the same can likely be said of oldies stations in regards to songs by Engelbert Humperdinck. But obviously, this will have to change due to Engelbert’s hotly contested rivalry with Elvis in post-revision history, making Engelbert a significant player in popular music during the early rock and roll era, the period of which its repertoire is frequently played on oldies stations. So oldies fans will hear a lot of songs by Engelbert.
- As a side note, one can also expect to hear a lot of Elvis and the Beach Boys on classic rock stations as well. Besides songs that are already considered classic rock in this timeline, as well as songs by Elvis, the Four Seasons, and the Beach Boys, classic rock fans will also hear a lot of Chuck Berry songs (i.e. “Johnny B. Goode”) and early hits by the Beatles (i.e. “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, “A Hard Day’s Night”) and the Stones (i.e. “It’s All Over Now”, “The Last Time”).
The Four Seasons’ US #1 Hit Singles
Amount of #1 Hits by Year Released:- 1962: 2
- 1963: 2 (4)
- 1964: 3 (7)
- 1965: 2 (9)
- 1966: 2 (11)
- 1967: 2 (13)
- 1974: 1 (14)
- 1975: 1 (15)
- 1978: 1 (16)
The Four Seasons 25th Anniversary Anthology
- The Four Seasons, 1960-1965 (released on LP and cassette: May 7, 1985; CD: September 22, 1987)
- The Four Seasons, 1966-1970 (released on LP and cassette: August 6, 1985; CD: December 22, 1987)
- The Four Seasons, 1971-1975 (released on LP and cassette: November 5, 1985; CD: March 22, 1988)
- The Four Seasons, 1976-1980 (released on LP and cassette: February 4, 1986; CD: June 21, 1988)
- The Four Seasons, 1960-1980 (bundle package; released on LP and cassette: April 1, 1986; CD: August 23, 1988)
Notes
- The names of the Four Seasons’ US chart toppers are as follows:
- 1962: “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
- 1963: “Walk Like A Man”, “Candy Girl”
- 1964: “Dawn (Go Away)”, “Ronnie”, “Rag Doll”
- 1965: “Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye)”, “Let’s Hang On!”
- 1966: “Working My Way Back to You”, “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ‘Bout Me)”
- 1967: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “C’mon Marianne”
- 1974: “My Eyes Adored You”
- 1975: “December 1963 (Oh What A Night)”
- 1978: “Grease”
- None of these songs are of my invention. Complete listings of singles and studio albums by the Seasons released between 1960 and 1980 will be posted in this blog very soon. Many of those singles and albums are of my imagination/invention, consisting of Seasons originals as well as additional covers of songs by other artists.
- For your entertainment, only 7 of these 16 songs made it to #1 in the current version of history. Those are: “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like A Man”, “Rag Doll”, “My Eyes Adored You”, “December 1963 (Oh What A Night)”, and “Grease”.
Four Seasons Singles By Month and Year
Singles from 1960 to 1980
- April 1960 – Daisy (#4)/Goodbye My Love – first hit
- June 1960 – Please Be My Girl (#5)/Miami Angel
- August 1960 – Love Me Baby (#8)/Fanny Anne
- October 1960 – Money (That’s What I Want) (#18)/Tell Me
- January 1961 – Every Day (#7)/I Need You Girl
- February 1961 – I Never Knew (#15)/This Guy Doesn’t Love You
- April 1961 – Tonight We Kissed (#20)/When I See You Again
- June 1961 – Lacy (#5)/It’s Not So Bad
- August 1961 – Julie (#4)/I Want To Get Married
- October 1961 – Oh Baby (#33)/That’s My Love
- January 1962 – You’re Too Late (#16)/Tonight
- February 1962 – Hello Pretty Girl (#26)/I Love Your Charm
- April 1962 – Don’t Give Me Up (#4)/Easy Love
- June 1962 – Costa Rica (#3)/My Lily
- August 1962 – Sherry (#1)/I’ve Cried Before – first chart topper
- October 1962 – Big Girls Don’t Cry (#1)/Connie-O
- December 1962 – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (#12)/Christmas Tears
- January 1963 – Walk Like A Man (#1)/Lucky Ladybug
- February 1963 – Make Me Love You (#4)/That’s Not Your Desire
- March 1963 – Honey Bunny (#4)/Our Last Dance
- April 1963 – Ain’t That a Shame! (#17)/Soon (I’ll Be Home Again) (#77)
- June 1963 – Candy Girl (#1)/Marlena (#6)
- August 1963 – Not What You Like (#29)/Dreams of Love
- September 1963 – New Mexican Rose (#36)/That’s The Only Way (#88)
- October 1963 – Your Tender Kiss (#47)/Miserable Nights
- December 1963 – Little Darlin’ (#14)/The Time Is Near
- January 1964 – Dawn (Go Away) (#1)/Forever My Love
- February 1964 – Stay (#11)/Peanuts
- March 1964 – Will You Love Me Tomorrow (#9)/Big Man’s World
- April 1964 – Ronnie (#1)/Born To Wander
- May 1964 – Alone (#16)/Don’t Cry
- June 1964 – Rag Doll (#1)/Silence Is Golden (#13)
- July 1964 – If You Care For Me (#5)/My Love For You
- August 1964 – Save It For Me (#2)/Funny Face
- September 1964 – One Song (#37)/Since I Don’t Have You
- October 1964 – Big Man In Town (#3)/Little Angel
- November 1964 – My Sugar (#6)/To Understand You
- December 1964 – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (#13)/White Christmas
- January 1965 – Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (#1)/You’re Not Alone
- February 1965 – Sweet Kisses (#10)/Marcie
- March 1965 – Baby Be Mine (#3)/Danger
- April 1965 – Toy Soldier (#30)/Betrayed
- May 1965 – Don’t Worry Baby (#6)/Seems Like Only Yesterday
- June 1965 – Girl Come Running (#9)/Cry Myself To Sleep
- August 1965 – The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)/This is Goodbye (as Frankie Valli)
- August 1965 – Lovely Days (#45)/Losing a Good Thing
- September 1965 – Let’s Hang On! (#1)/Goodnight Baby
- October 1965 – Don’t Think Twice (It’s Alright) (#12)/Sassy (as The Wonder Who?)
- December 1965 – Little Boy (In Grown-Up Clothes) (#42)/Silver Wings
- January 1966 – (You’re Gonna) Hurt Yourself (#39)/Night Hawk (as Frankie Valli)
- January 1966 – Working My Way Back To You (#1)/Too Many Memories
- February 1966 – Lightnin’ Strikes (#8)/It’s Alright
- May 1966 – You’re Ready Now/Cry For Me (as Frankie Valli)
- May 1966 – Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ‘Bout Me) (#1)/Beggar’s Parade
- June 1966 – On The Good Ship Lollipop (#84)/You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You (#96) (as The Wonder Who?)
- August 1966 – I’ve Got You Under My Skin (#3)/Huggin’ My Pillow
- November 1966 – The Proud One (#68)/Ivy (as Frankie Valli)
- December 1966 – Tell It To The Rain (#6)/A Perfect World
- January 1967 – Nobody Cares/Two Fools In Love
- February 1967 – Beggin’ (#2)/Save My City
- May 1967 – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (#1)/The Trouble With Me (as Frankie Valli)
- June 1967 – C’mon Marianne (#1)/Selfish Heart
- July 1967 – Lonesome Road (#80)/Candy Land (#92) (as The Wonder Who?)
- August 1967 – I Make A Fool Of Myself (#18)/September Rain (as Frankie Valli)
- August 1967 – We’re Flying High (#16)/Roadrunner
- October 1967 – Watch The Flowers Grow (#4)/It Moves Me
- December 1967 – To Give (The Reason I Live) (#29)/Watch Where You Walk (as Frankie Valli)
- January 1968 – Pauline (#13)/Showtime
- February 1968 – The Sun, Moon, Stars, and Sky (#5)/Romantic Rendezvous
- April 1968 – Since You Came/Make Me Yours (as Frankie Valli)
- June 1968 – Fallen Hero (#3)/We Don’t Need a Change
- September 1968 – Let Me Live/My Mother’s Eyes (as Frankie Valli)
- December 1968 – Marxist Fever (#8)/Tell Her No
- January 1969 – Call Me Crazy (#12)/That’s No Good
- March 1969 – Raspberry Mountain (#5)/Raise The Flag
- June 1969 – The Girl I’ll Never Know (Angels Never Fly This Low) (#52)/A Face Without A Name (as Frankie Valli)
- September 1969 – Gimme Gimme Your Love (#2)/Moon Stories
- October 1969 – Knowing You (#9)/Fighting Fire With Fire
- December 1969 – The Last Waltz/Untie These Knots (as Frankie Valli)
- January 1970 – Sapphire Skies (#6)/Traitor’s Paradise
- April 1970 – Prohibition Resurrection (#17)/Relax
- June 1970 – For Once In My Life/Red, Red Rose (as Frankie Valli)
- September 1970 – I’m Comin’ Home (#3)/Good God (It’s Great)
- November 1970 – You Can Make Me Fly/Sweeter Than Sugar (as Frankie Valli)
- November 1970 – Tobacco Taboo (#11)/Intoxication Station (#66)
- January 1971 – Blades Of Cotton (#6)/Ode To Joy (Do You Love Me Pretty Baby)
- April 1971 – Pretty Fool (#86)/Friendly Face (as Frankie Valli)
- June 1971 – What Say You (#24)/Rip It Over and Out
- August 1971 – Georgia Girl/What Happened To Our Love? (as Frankie Valli)
- August 1971 – Fly Me To Jupiter (#8)/Rock and Roll Music
- October 1971 – You Ease The Pain (#18)/Crystal Clear
- February 1972 – A Brand New Life (#7)/Plain as Hell
- April 1972 – Means Nothing To Me/What Is It Girl? (as Frankie Valli)
- June 1972 – No Way Girl (#15)/Umbrella Man (#45)
- July 1972 – Not This Time/Hawaiian Paradise (as Frankie Valli)
- September 1972 – Show Off Girl (#9)/Wanderin’
- October 1972 – Hit Me (#26)/Blackjack Blues
- January 1973 – Great Times With You (#23)/Take Off
- March 1973 – You’re All I Need/Long Lonely Days (as Frankie Valli)
- May 1973 – Dizzy Wheels (#8)/The Stranger (On The Street) (#51)
- June 1973 – Booze Row (#19)/Just As I Like It
- September 1973 – Talking Trash (#10)/Pullover
- December 1973 – It’s Not Unusual/Don’t Like Me, Love Me (as Frankie Valli)
- February 1974 – Without, Within (#10)/A Thousand Tears
- April 1974 – Nothing Special (#8)/Hotshot
- June 1974 – Until I Found You/Paying The Price (as Frankie Valli)
- July 1974 – Feeling Cool (#21)/Pool Shark
- September 1974 – A Hundred Miles (#50)/No Kidding
- November 1974 – My Eyes Adored You (#1)/Foolish Pride (as Frankie Valli)
- February 1975 – Jersey Fever (#41)/High-Heeled Shoes
- May 1975 – Swearin’ To God (#6)/Why (as Frankie Valli)
- June 1975 – Gimme A Chance (#8)/Playin’ It Safe
- August 1975 – Who Loves You (#2)/Hawkeye
- October 1975 – Our Day Will Come (#10)/You Can Bet (as Frankie Valli)
- December 1975 – December 1963 (Oh What A Night) (#1)/Slip Away
- February 1976 – Holding On (#29)/Close The Door
- March 1976 – Fallen Angel (#3)/Carrie (I Would Marry You) (as Frankie Valli)
- May 1976 – Silver Star (#6)/Flashback
- July 1976 – Jet Surf (#50)/What’s Best For You
- October 1976 – The Thing Called Love (#65)/Everything Darlin’ (as Frankie Valli)
- October 1976 – Workin’ (#2)/Love Explosion
- January 1977 – Day and Night (#38)/The Player
- April 1977 – I’m a Loner/Disco Wizard (as Frankie Valli)
- April 1977 – Play That Funky Music (#7)/It’s Not Over Yet
- July 1977 – Love is Priceless (#78)/Heartbreaks and Heartaches (as Frankie Valli)
- August 1977 – Silly Silly (#16)/Shake The Floor
- October 1977 – When I Feel Down (#9)/Fightin’ Back The Tears
- January 1978 – Shake It Baby/Take Me Home
- March 1978 – Soul Searching (#23)/My Sunshine
- May 1978 – Grease (#1)/Feel The Rhythm (as Frankie Valli)
- August 1978 – Brain Drain (#8)/In A Hump
- October 1978 – I’m Feeling Alright (#16)/You Got Me Good (as Frankie Valli)
- October 1978 – Diamonds & Rubies/Blows Me Up a Thrill
- February 1979 – Come On Up (#25)/Joy and Laughter
- March 1979 – Red Robin (#30)/It’s Killing Me (as Frankie Valli)
- June 1979 – All Your Love (#8)/I Won’t Worry
- July 1979 – The Perfect Pair/Gimme a Reason (as Frankie Valli)
- September 1979 – Love Cruise (#9)/Sexy Lady
- December 1979 – Just One Night/Lovers Forever
- February 1980 – Don’t Ask Me Why/Only Together (as Frankie Valli)
- April 1980 – Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl (#9)/Ace of Jacks
- May 1980 – Don’t Be Cruel (#42)/Lovin’ At Daybreak
- July 1980 – Flow With It (#39)/For Money Or Love (as Frankie Valli)
- August 1980 – Time Of The Season (#19)/Doesn’t Make Sense
- October 1980 – Heavenly Love (Hold Me) (#10)/Video Arcade (#36)
Notes
- In parentheses to each particular A or B-side is its peak position in the Billboard Hot 100.
- Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl has Nick Massi singing on the “paying every day” line, making it nearly identical to the version by the Detroit Spinners.
- All singles recorded by the Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi, with Joe Russo on drums/percussion.
- All singles produced by Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe.
- In this document, only singles from 1960 to 1980 are featured because this represents the Golden Age of the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons continued to record and release new singles and albums after 1980.
- The dates given for all singles are final and set to become factual after history is altered. However, the names I made up for song titles may not be considered plausible or appropriate, and thus are not final. These song names are just rough ideas, and may (or may not) be renamed by members of an advanced extraterrestrial species when consulted, given the time period these singles are released; the context of the songwriting styles of Bob Gaudio, Bob Crewe, and others; and a summary I show and/or convey to them of all of what I want to have happened in the career of the Four Seasons. Chart positions for the given singles are also feasible.
- All original songs by the Four Seasons are to have a minimum of three verses. This applies to songs that exist pre-historical change.
- All songs recorded by the Four Seasons are to have an instrumental bridge (lead guitar solo accompanied by other instruments in the band) implemented.
- Key changes that share the same mode (as in major and minor) are to be rarely found in songs by the Four Seasons, with prominent exceptions such as “Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye)” (1965) and “Working My Way Back To You” (both 1966 and 1980 versions).
Four Seasons Albums (1960-1980)
- Daisy – released April 1, 1960 (16 tracks)
- Rhythm ‘n Seasons – released October 7, 1960 (16 tracks)
- Lady Luck – released February 10, 1961 (16 tracks)
- Girl Crazy – released July 7, 1961 (16 tracks)
- Oh Baby – released October 6, 1961 (16 tracks)
- Easy Love – released April 6, 1962 (16 tracks)
- Sherry – released August 3, 1962 (16 tracks)
- Seasons’ Greetings – released December 7, 1962 (16 tracks)
- Walk! – released March 15, 1963 (16 tracks)
- Candy Girl – released June 7, 1963 (16 tracks)
- Folk Nanny – released October 11, 1963 (16 tracks)
- Dawn Go Away – released January 15, 1964 (16 tracks)
- Born To Wander – released April 3, 1964 (16 tracks)
- Rag Doll – released July 10, 1964 (16 tracks)
- Seasons’ Greetings II – released December 4, 1964 (16 tracks)
- Baby Goodbye – released March 12, 1965 (16 tracks)
- In Season – released July 9, 1965 (16 tracks)
- Let’s Hang On! – released October 1, 1965 (16 tracks)
- Working My Way Back To You – released February 4, 1966 (16 tracks)
- Back To School Blues – released August 12, 1966 (16 tracks)
- Lightning and Rain – released December 2, 1966 (16 tracks)
- Save Our City – released March 3, 1967 (16 tracks)
- Psychedelic Fantasy – released July 7, 1967 (30 tracks)
- Power To The Flowers! – released October 6, 1967 (21 tracks)
- Bright Day, Starry Night – released February 2, 1968 (21 tracks)
- Fallen Hero – released June 7, 1968 (21 tracks)
- The Four Seasons (The Purple Album) – released December 6, 1968 (34 tracks)
- Raspberry Mountain – released March 7, 1969 (22 tracks)
- Ashtray – released June 6, 1969 (22 tracks)
- Moon Man – released September 5, 1969 (34 tracks)
- Sapphire Skies – released January 9, 1970 (20 tracks)
- Prohibition Resurrection – released May 15, 1970 (28 tracks)
- Intoxication Station – released November 19, 1970 (24 tracks)
- Symphony of Joy – released January 22, 1971 (20 tracks)
- Imaginative Imagery – released June 4, 1971 (24 tracks)
- Crystal Clear – released October 1, 1971 (25 tracks)
- A Brand New Life – released February 4, 1972 (19 tracks)
- Umbrella Man – released June 2, 1972 (23 tracks)
- Sin City – released October 6, 1972 (21 tracks)
- Hot Tank – released February 2, 1973 (19 tracks)
- Dizzy Wheels – released May 4, 1973 (19 tracks)
- Talking Trash – released September 7, 1973 (19 tracks)
- Without, Within – released February 1, 1974 (19 tracks)
- Feeling Cool – released July 5, 1974 (19 tracks)
- Moody For Love – released November 8, 1974 (19 tracks)
- Wear My Ring – released March 7, 1975 (19 tracks)
- Who Loves You – released August 1, 1975 (19 tracks)
- Oh What A Night! – released December 5, 1975 (19 tracks)
- A Night In Wonderland – released March 19, 1976 (19 tracks)
- Silver Star – released June 11, 1976 (19 tracks)
- Daydream Maker – released October 1, 1976 (19 tracks)
- Day and Night – released January 28, 1977 (19 tracks)
- Cartoon Portrait – released April 8, 1977 (19 tracks)
- Silly Silly – released August 5, 1977 (19 tracks)
- Sunshine, Moonshine – released March 3, 1978 (19 tracks)
- Season Is The Word – released June 9, 1978 (19 tracks)
- Diamonds & Rubies – released October 27, 1978 (19 tracks)
- Come On Up – released February 2, 1979 (19 tracks)
- Mayonnaise Mayhem – released June 1, 1979 (19 tracks)
- Love Cruise – released September 7, 1979 (19 tracks)
- The Four Seasons 1980 – released April 4, 1980 (19 tracks)
- Flow With It – released July 11, 1980 (19 tracks)
- Video Arcade – released October 3, 1980 (23 tracks)
Notes
- Total in this list: 63 studio albums, 1,221 songs
- All albums recorded by the Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi, with Joe Russo on drums/percussion.
- All albums produced by Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe.
Frankie Valli Biography
Frankie Valli was born Francis Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1937 in Newark, NJ, the eldest of the three sons of Anthony and Mary Castelluccio. Frankie was friends with future band mates Tommy DeVito, Joe Russo, and Nick Massi since his very early childhood. He was inspired at age 7 by Frank Sinatra, whom his parents took Frankie to see in concert.
Valli began his professional career in early January 1952 as a singer in local venues. His talent landed him with a single cut for Corona Records in 1953 under the name Frankie Valley. Valli was only 16 at the time. He became a member of the Variety Trio in 1954, joining close friends Tommy DeVito, Tommy’s brother Nick, and Hank Majewski. Subsequently, the band changed their name to the Varietones. The band was renamed the Four Lovers in 1956, and that same year they cut their first single for RCA Victor, with Milt Gabler (1911-2001) as the producer. Gabler is well-known for producing the hit song “Rock Around The Clock” for the band Bill Haley and the Comets. Nick DeVito and Hank Majewski left the Four Lovers in 1958, and were replaced by Hugh Garrity and Nick Macioci (known as Massi since 1960). Massi spent five months with the band before leaving temporarily and being replaced by Charlie Calello. Garrity left the Lovers in June 1959, being replaced by former RoyalTeen Bob Gaudio. Calello quit in July 1959, and Nick Massi returned to take his place, bringing drummer Joe Russo with him.
In September 1959, Valli received a letter from record producer Herbie Mandel, who had been in partnership with Bob Crewe for eight months. The message was about an invitation to an audition at Columbia Records offered by the two producers. After Valli accepted, he took his band mates with him the next day to Columbia, where they did very well at the audition. After they got their recording contract, Crewe suggested that Valli start using more of the higher part of his range for falsetto vocals. Lead singers of doo-wop groups often sang falsetto, doo-wop was a popular genre of pop music in September 1959, and Valli had a very high voice. The group’s first single for Columbia, released in October, was in a pop rock genre reminiscent of doo-wop. When that single failed to chart, four major changes were suggested by Mandel and Crewe, and the changes were accepted. Frankie Valley changed his name to Valli (reflecting the last name of female singer “Texas” Jean Valli, who helped Frankie cut his first record in 1953); Nick Macioci shortened his name to Massi; and the Four Lovers became the Four Seasons, derived from a local bowling establishment named “The 4 Seasons”, where they had failed to make an impression shortly after Massi rejoined the band. The other big change was that the Four Seasons make rock their genre, since Elvis Presley and others were already highly successful with it. Gaudio and Crewe added their personal touch to the band’s rock genre, giving it its uniqueness.
The band’s rock genre has become known as the Four Seasons Sound. It incorporated vocal harmonies and elements of doo-wop, with Valli alternating between falsetto and full voice, and the rest of the Seasons singing backing vocals. Joe Russo, the Seasons’ drummer, has almost never sung backing vocals to the Seasons.
The Four Seasons recorded their debut single on March 12, 1960, and it was released on April 1, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early May. The band’s singles consistently made the Top 40 from 1960 to 1980, thus partially comprising the band’s string of hits. Frankie Valli became a Baptist in May 1965, during a time when the Four Seasons were still one of the hottest rock bands. He began a “solo” career two months later, in which Mandel and Crewe remained the producers; and DeVito, Gaudio, and Massi always sang and/or played their instruments in the background, along with drummer Joe Russo. Frankie Valli lives in his native Newark, but also has a residence in Calabasas, California.
Tommy DeVito Biography
DeVito began his professional career in January 1951 as a member of the Variety Trio, along with his brother Nick and their friend Hank Majewski. This band also played in the background of Frankie Valli, who began his career singing solo from 1952 to 1954, after he was convinced by Tommy DeVito to join his band. No longer a trio, the band changed their name to the Varietones, and in 1956, to the Four Lovers. Nick DeVito and Hank Majewski left the Four Lovers in June 1958 and were replaced by Nick Massi and Hugh Garrity. Massi left temporarily in November, being replaced by Charlie Calello. Garrity left in June 1959 and was replaced by ex-RoyalTeen Bob Gaudio; Calello quit in July 1959 and Massi returned to replace him. Massi was accompanied by drummer Joe Russo.
Two months after the last change, the band was noticed at a Newark venue by record producers Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe, who were working as partners with Columbia Records. After Mandel contacted Valli, the group went to Columbia, where they passed their audition and signed a recording contract. After the band’s first single for the label failed, several changes were suggested by Mandel and Crewe. The two major ones were that the Four Lovers would become the Four Seasons, and that they would adopt a Gaudio-Crewe influenced rock genre. The band’s following single, released in April 1960, became a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Following this, the popularity of the Four Seasons was unstoppable for at least 20 years, and since the band’s establishment as the Four Seasons, Tommy DeVito has been recognized as the founder of the band.
DeVito and his first wife became Baptists in May 1965, along with three brothers, Majewski, Valli, Gaudio, Massi, and Russo. Anthony DeVito, who became a Baptist three years earlier, talked everyone into it. Tommy’s youngest brother Joey became a Baptist in 1967. Tommy DeVito lives in his native Newark, but also has a home in Los Angeles.
Bob Gaudio Biography
The group became popular locally, and was discovered by an executive for a local record label two months later. The executive promptly invited the RoyalTeens to the record company, where they received a recording contract. Gaudio wrote the group’s biggest hit, “Short Shorts”, in late November 1957, shortly after turning 15. He remained with the RoyalTeens until joining the Four Lovers on June 5, 1959 as the replacement for band member Hugh Garrity, who quit the previous day. The rest of the members of the band were lead singer Frankie Valli (then known as Valley), Tommy DeVito, and Charlie Calello. The Four Lovers, whose genre was R&B mixed with rock and roll and elements of doo-wop and pop, had been releasing singles under several names since that group was formed in 1956. Calello quit on July 6, 1959, being replaced the next day by Nick Massi (then known as Macioci, his surname at birth), who was previously with the band between June and November of 1958. Nick Massi brought drummer Joe Russo with him. On August 6, they failed an audition at a bowling establishment in Union Township, New Jersey, known as “The 4 Seasons”. Though disgruntled at their failure, they continued to chug along with hope through continuing their nightly gigs at a Newark venue.
On the night of September 5, 1959, when the band was performing one of its gigs, record producing partners Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe observed the concert. The two men had affiliation with Columbia Records, with somewhat modest success with the artists they were then producing for. After the concert, the producers enjoyed it very much and got the names of the band members, and obtained Frankie Valli’s home address from one of his close friends. Mandel sent a letter to Valli the next day offering him an invitation to Columbia Records for an audition. Valli accepted, and brought his band mates with him to the record company on September 8. There, they did very well at their audition and signed a recording contract as a result. The Four Lovers recorded their first single for Columbia on September 11. The single was released October 2, with the band listed with the name “The Village Voices”. It failed to make the Billboard Hot 100, and the band was compelled to make a significant change. On January 16, 1960, the band decided to officially change its name, and all seven men were put to the task. After exploring several possibilities, they arrived at “The 4 Seasons”, the name of the local bowling establishment they had failed to impress. Right after that, Herbie Mandel modified the band name to “The Four Seasons” to make it sound more appealing. Mandel felt the name change was also appropriate in that it made reference to not only the bowling establishment, but also to the famous set of violin concertos by 18th century Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.
For the band’s debut as the Four Seasons, Gaudio independently wrote a set of two songs within one hour on February 12, 1960. The band recorded the two songs on March 12, and they were released as a single on April 1. The single became a hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 by early May. From that moment on, the Four Seasons consistently scored with hit singles on a regular basis, but the band’s first #1 hit single did not come until 1962. Gaudio went to work on a new song in July of that year and wrote it within half an hour. After some debate on what to call it, he and the producers agreed with “Sherry”. “Sherry” was released in August, and reached #1 the next month, remaining there for five weeks.
Gaudio was introduced to his future first wife, Ruthie Caruso, by fellow band mate Nick Massi late in December 1963 after Christmas (This event had a big impact on Gaudio’s life (plus, it was about a week before the Beatles’ song “I Want To Hold Your Hand” topped the Billboard Hot 100, kicking off the British Invasion, in which the Beatles surpassed the Four Seasons in popularity), so that in November 1975, with December not far away, he adapted this time setting to a completely different love story for the song “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)”; the single with this song as the A-side was released in December 1975 and topped the charts in early 1976). Gaudio and Caruso were married in early November 1964, though the marriage ended in divorce in 1973, and Bob remarried in 1977. On May 2, 1965, Gaudio and his first wife became Baptists along with the rest of the Seasons and their spouses. The Four Seasons and their friends and family became Baptists due in part to their abhorrence of alcohol, tobacco, and other toxins (This hatred was first instilled upon DeVito as a child by his older brother Anthony; he then passed it on to his friends, including Massi, Russo, and Valli; the hatred was inherited by Gaudio when DeVito passed it on to him shortly before he played in his first gig with the Four Lovers). Bob Gaudio has lived in Newark since January 1960, but also has homes in his native Bergenfield and Santa Monica, California.
Nick Massi Biography
Nick Massi began performing in local venues in March 1950 alongside various local bands before joining a band with Hugh Garrity in 1953. He and Garrity disbanded that group by leaving in June 1958 and joined the Four Lovers to replace Majewski and Nickie DeVito, who were band members (the other two were Valli and Tommy DeVito). Massi left the Four Lovers temporarily five months later, being replaced by Charlie Calello; but Garrity remained with the band until June 1959, when he was replaced by the former RoyalTeens member Bob Gaudio. Massi’s hiatus from the band ended when he returned to replace Calello, who decided to quit, in July 1959. Massi brought Joe Russo, playing as drummer, with him.
Two months later, the Four Lovers ended up at Columbia Records following an invitation from record producers Herbie Mandel and Bob Crewe, both of whom had observed the band performing a gig at a Newark venue. The band passed their audition at Columbia and signed a recording contract with the label. After their first Columbia single, released in October 1959, flopped, several drastic changes were suggested by Mandel and Crewe. Massi, who had been using his birth name professionally, shortened his surname to its current form. The Four Lovers were renamed the Four Seasons, derived from the local bowling establishment known as the 4 Seasons, where they once failed to make an impression shortly after Massi’s return to the band. Frankie Valley became Valli. The last major change was that the Four Seasons be strictly a rock band. The Four Seasons recorded their first single in March 1960, being released in April and becoming a Top 5 hit by early May. At this moment, the band soared to great fame and fortune, and their Golden Age didn’t end until 1980.
Nick Massi has also become known for arranging music by the Four Seasons with former Four Lovers member Charlie Calello. Massi became a Baptist in May 1965. In the Four Seasons’ early years, his deep bass voice was often given solo lines in the band’s hits, but as time went by and new trends came for the band to adjust to, the lines have become less frequent. Nick Massi lives in his native Newark, but also has a residence in Los Angeles.
Joe Russo Biography
Joseph John Russo was born on January 17, 1936 in Newark, the fourth child of Lawrence John Russo (1903-2009) and Michelle Isabelle Di Stefano Russo (1907-2007). He was a childhood friend of Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. His youngest sister is Mary Russo, the first wife of Four Seasons lead singer Frankie Valli, another of Russo’s childhood friends.
Russo began performing with various bands in local venues in early September 1950 alongside his friend Nick Massi. Joe Russo was performing between June and November 1958 with Tommy DeVito’s band the Four Lovers during the time Massi was a member. Russo rejoined the band, when Nick Massi permanently became a member of what would later become the Four Seasons, in July 1959.
Joe Russo and his first wife converted to the Baptist religion in May 1965 when Frankie and Mary Valli did, along with DeVito, Gaudio, and Massi. Joe Russo lives in his native Newark, but also has a residence in Los Angeles.
Herbie Mandel Biography
Herbert Solomon Mandel was born on August 2, 1918 in Brooklyn, the tenth of fourteen children born to Russian immigrants. He began his career in June 1936 as the bass singer in a teenage barbershop quartet. On April 25, 1941, he began a solo career with a recording of his first single. It was released May 13 and gave Mandel national exposure and recognition. Herbie Mandel was also responsible in his day for helping to break the racial barrier in the blues music industry. He recorded with his very deep bass vocals up to his retirement in 2022. He landed himself a job as an assistant record producer working with Columbia Records in 1942, working with a variety of blues and R&B acts. His older brother Art became an executive at Columbia Records during this period. By 1949, Herbie was producing on his own. Between late 1956 and early 1957, during a time when Elvis Presley was hugely popular, he and his brother Art convinced Columbia Records executive Mitch Miller that rock and roll was a force to be reckoned with, and that rock and roll artists be accepted and signed to the label. A little later on, Art Mandel would sign major rock bands to the Columbia label, most notably the Silver Sharks, the Grenades, and the Grasshoppers. While producer Bob Crewe worked with Frank Slay, Herbie Mandel produced solo until January 1959, when Crewe split with Slay and joined in partnership with Mandel.
In September 1959, when Mandel and Crewe signed the band that soon became known as the Four Seasons to a recording contract, it was arranged that Mandel would be their executive producer, and that Crewe would be their co-producer. When not working with the Seasons, Mandel sometimes produced without Crewe’s involvement, and vice-versa. When the band adopted “The Four Seasons” as their official name, they became exclusively a rock band upon Mandel’s suggestion. Thus, the Four Seasons became the first major rock band to get its start in the 1960s.
During the British Invasion (1964-1966), Mandel was responsible for helping develop the Four Seasons into a band with a sound of even harder edged rock and with increasingly more songs incorporating blues elements. Facial hair grew increasingly popular among popular music artists during the late 1960s. Nevertheless, Mandel’s insistence on a clean-shaven look for the band remained unchanged. The Four Seasons were always very fond of their executive producer, so they went against the common grain by accepting his insistence.
Mandel is also largely responsible for keeping the Four Seasons lineup of Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, and Joe Russo unchanged. He did not want to see the Four Seasons, which he called his “dream band”, to have any departures and replacements the way other bands have had, as he explained to the band’s members. In his mind, as it is in mine, replacing any of the members of that band would be like replacing one of the Beatles, or Mick Jagger in the Rolling Stones.
Herbie Mandel lives in his native Brooklyn, but also has residences in Newark, Manhattan, and Los Angeles. He retired alongside Bob Crewe on October 21, 2022. His wife, Bessie Mandel, is much shorter than he is. Bessie’s height is 5 feet, 3 inches.
Notes
- The Silver Sharks, the Grenades, and the Grasshoppers are my invention and are among the rock bands that had risen with somewhat great success during the late 1950s, before the emergence of the Four Seasons.
- I’ll post a more elaborate list of pre-British Invasion rock bands at the end of this blog thread.
- Hint: it will include the Seasons and the Beach Boys as well as numerous others of cities across America.
- Another hint: the bands in the list all drew inspiration from the music of highly successful rock artists of the 50s, especially Elvis, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Holly, the last of which you may recall was the lead singer of his band the Crickets and was killed in the infamous 1959 plane crash.
Bob Crewe Biography
Bob Crewe is a retired American musician, record producer, music manager, and songwriter. His full name is Robert Stanley Crewe. He has made himself a legacy for his multi-talented career with the Four Seasons, as their co-producer and manager, and as a key songwriter from 1960 to 2022. Bob Crewe was born on November 12, 1930 in Newark.Crewe created his first partnership with pianist Frank Slay in 1953. They went on to write and produce several hit songs of the 1950s. After he ended his partnership with Slay toward the end of the decade, Bob Crewe joined in partnership with Herbie Mandel in January 1959, though he would continue to produce for some artists without Mandel involved.
Crewe and Mandel observed the Four Lovers performing a gig at a Newark venue one night in early September 1959. The lineup consisted of original members Frankie Valley and Tommy DeVito, as well as recent arrivals Bob Gaudio and Nick Macioci, along with drummer Joe Russo, who joined with Macioci. The partners, who were working with Columbia Records at the time, enjoyed the performance so much that they got the band to come to Columbia for an audition. The band passed their audition and signed their recording contract. After a discussion between the band and the producers, it was agreed that Mandel would be the band’s executive producer, and Crewe would be their co-producer and manager.
The band’s first single for Columbia was recorded soon after and released in October 1959. After that single flopped, changes were implemented on the Four Lovers in January 1960. Valley became Valli; Macioci became Massi; and most importantly, the Four Lovers became the Four Seasons. In addition, Mandel suggested that the Four Seasons be strictly a rock band, since they looked like one with their instruments at hand. As a result, Crewe and Gaudio developed a unique rock style for the band, later becoming known as the Four Seasons Sound. After these changes, the Four Seasons recorded their first single on March 12. It was released in April and became a Top 5 hit in early May. Mandel and Crewe remained the Four Seasons’ producers until they retired on October 21, 2022.
Bob Crewe shuttles between his homes in Newark and Los Angeles.
Family of Frankie Valli
Parents
Anthony Castelluccio- Born: November 28, 1914 in Newark
- Died: September 26, 1994 in Newark
- Born: March 19, 1916 in Philadelphia
- Died: March 31, 1991 in Newark
First Wife’s Parents
Lawrence John “Larry” Russo- Born: January 15, 1903 in Newark
- Died: August 10, 2009 in Newark
- Born: September 13, 1907 in Newark
- Died: November 24, 2007 in Newark
Self, Wives, and Children
Francis Stephen “Frankie” Valli (born May 3, 1937) married Mary Josephine Russo (born July 6, 1938 in Newark) on April 29, 1958 in Newark; they divorced January 16, 1971.- Antonia Nancy “Toni” Valli (born April 5, 1959)
- Francine Marie Valli (born April 30, 1960)
- Nicole Jean “Nikky” Valli (born March 3, 1962)
- Jessica Ann “Jessie” Valli (born April 11, 1973)
- Daniel Thomas “Danny” Valli (born April 1, 1977)
- Francesco Valli (born April 14, 1987)
- Emilio Valli (born September 2, 1994), twin
- Brando Valli (born September 2, 1994), twin
Grandchildren
Toni Valli (born April 5, 1959) married Francis Salvatore “Frank” Cavaliere Jr. (born March 2, 1958) on December 29, 1974; they divorced March 26, 1989.- Lisa Marie Cavaliere (born November 5, 1975)
- Thomas Robert “Tommy” Cavaliere (born November 27, 1976)
- Francis Nicholas “Frankie” Cavaliere (born October 24, 1978)
Francine Valli (born April 30, 1960) married Vincent David “Vinny” Cassini (born June 29, 1958) on January 23, 1977.
- Therese Francine Cassini (born December 4, 1977)
- Joseph Vincent “Joey” Cassini (born December 27, 1978)
- Francis Valli “Frankie” Cassini (born October 12, 1980)
- Ashley Angelica Cassini (born January 5, 1983)
- Elizabeth Margaret “Betty” Martinelli (born October 2, 1980)
- Joseph Nicholas “Joey” Martinelli (born October 26, 1981)
- Tyler Robert Martinelli (born August 7, 1983)
- Frances Ashley “Franny” Martinelli (born September 4, 1986)
- Charles Christopher “Chuckie” Martinelli (born October 21, 1991)
- Jennifer Victoria “Jen” Rosenberg (born December 11, 1990 in Miami, FL)
- Timothy Scott “Timmy” Rosenberg (born June 9, 1993 in Miami)
- Elizabeth Maryann “Lizzie” Rosenberg (born October 11, 1994 in Miami)
- Melissa Nicole Valli (born September 9, 2003)
- Robert Nicholas “Bobby” Valli (born September 22, 2004)
- Patricia Francine “Patty” Valli (born July 1, 2007)
Family of Tommy DeVito
Parents
George DeVito- Born: October 16, 1902 in Newark
- Died: September 9, 1994 in Newark
- Born: June 25, 1906 in Newark
- Died: July 15, 1988 in Newark
Siblings
- Mary Margaret DeVito (born February 15, 1928)
- Philomena Marie “Phil” DeVito (born March 10, 1929)
- Theresa Nancy DeVito (born April 14, 1930)
- Anthony George DeVito (born September 12, 1932)
- Michael John “Mikey” DeVito (born July 23, 1934)
- Nicholas Michael “Nick” DeVito (born June 19, 1936), Tommy’s fraternal twin brother
- Daniel Joseph “Danny” DeVito (born June 13, 1939)
- Jean Therese DeVito (born January 19, 1942)
- Joseph Vincent “Joey” DeVito (born February 20, 1946)
Self, Wives, and Children
Thomas Louis “Tommy” DeVito (born June 19, 1936) married Susan Marie “Susie” Romano (born July 21, 1937 in Newark) on May 13, 1956 in Newark; they divorced June 30, 1970.- Melissa Jean DeVito (born March 16, 1957)
- Michael Nicholas “Mike” DeVito (born April 6, 1958)
- Victoria Constance “Vicky” DeVito (born February 13, 1960)
- Thomas Louis “Tommy” DeVito Jr. (born April 25, 1972)
Grandchildren
Melissa DeVito (born March 16, 1957) married Salvatore Angelo “Sal” Giordano (born February 15, 1956) on January 9, 1972.- Jennifer Margaret “Jen” Giordano (born October 15, 1972)
- Joseph Paul “Joey” Giordano (born October 28, 1973)
- Alice Pauline Giordano (born September 13, 1975)
- Michael Nicholas “Mike” DeVito Jr. (born September 3, 1976)
- Marie Vincenza DeVito (born September 22, 1977)
- Kimberly Ann DeVito (born April 2, 1980)
- Thomas George “Tom” DeVito (born June 27, 1984)
- Patrick Joseph Rienzi (born September 10, 1977)
- Rachel Ann Rienzi (born September 30, 1978)
- Bartholomew Adam “Bart” Rienzi (born August 5, 1980)
- Jessica Patricia “Jessie” Rienzi (born August 21, 1982)
- Daniel Thomas “Danny” Rienzi (born June 15, 1990)
- Lisa Angelina DeVito (born August 7, 1996 in Boston)
- Thomas Louis “Tommy” DeVito III (born September 7, 1997)
Family of Bob Gaudio
Self, Wives, and Children
Robert John “Bob” Gaudio (born November 17, 1942) married Ruth Anne “Ruthie” Caruso (born February 21, 1944 in Belleville, NJ) on November 8, 1964 in Newark, NJ; they divorced August 22, 1973.- Michael Joseph “Mike” Gaudio (born November 24, 1965), twin
- Danielle Josephine Gaudio (born November 24, 1965), twin
- Lisa Nancy Gaudio (born December 23, 1966)
- Jennifer Judith “Jen” Gaudio (born January 26, 1979)
Grandchildren
Mike Gaudio (born November 24, 1965) married Pamela Rose “Pam” Vitello (born September 26, 1967) on June 29, 1986.- Samantha Rose “Sammie” Gaudio (born April 28, 1987 in Orlando, FL)
- Michael Robert Gaudio (born May 26, 1988)
- Brittany Ruth Gaudio (born February 18, 1990)
- Jessica Ruth “Jessie” Lazzarino (born June 25, 1984)
- John Robert Lazzarino (born July 22, 1985)
- Ashley Therese Lazzarino (born March 31, 1987)
- Robert Joseph “Bobby” Barbella (born July 21, 1987 in Miami, FL)
- Francine Andrea Barbella (born October 29, 1991)
- John Douglas Barbella (born February 14, 1999)
- Alexandra Nicole “Lexie” Smith (born April 29, 2001)
Family of Nick Massi
Self, Wives, and Children
Nicholas Eugene “Nick” Massi (born September 19, 1935) married Mary Frances Genovese (born October 20, 1936 in Newark) on August 8, 1954 in Newark; they divorced September 22, 1972.- Robert Joseph Massi (born May 11, 1955), twin
- Patricia Ann “Patty” Massi (born May 11, 1955), twin, tomboy
- Nicholas Eugene “Nick” Massi Jr. (born May 28, 1956)
- Kenneth Nicholas “Ken” Massi (born July 31, 1973)
Grandchildren
Robert Massi (born May 11, 1955) married Nancy Catherine Bartolucci (born June 11, 1956) on February 7, 1971.- Elizabeth Amy “Betty” Massi (born November 9, 1971), tomboy
- Nicholas Joseph “Nicky” Massi (born November 24, 1972)
- Eric Peter Massi (born January 7, 1975)
- Elise Marie Marini (born December 9, 1969), tomboy
- Joseph Nicholas “Joey” Marini (born December 21, 1970)
- Thomas Francis “Tommy” Marini (born January 21, 1972)
- Laura Diana Marini (born December 4, 1973), tomboy
- Nicholas Anthony “Nick” Massi “III” (born October 26, 1974)
- Susan Rose “Susie” Massi (born November 11, 1975)
- Patrick Alfred Massi (born July 7, 1977)
- Stephanie Pearl Massi (born May 8, 1987)
- Zachary Peter “Zack” Massi (born June 22, 1993)
- Daisy Julie Massi (born May 8, 1996)
- Sherry Dawn Massi (born September 18, 2001)
Family of Joe Russo
Parents
Lawrence John “Larry” Russo- Born: January 15, 1903 in Newark
- Died: August 10, 2009 in Newark
- Born: September 13, 1907 in Newark
- Died: November 24, 2007 in Newark
Siblings
- Isabella Jean “Bella” Russo (born April 23, 1930)
- Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Russo “Jr.” (born May 15, 1931)
- Matilda Therese Russo (born April 10, 1933)
- Mary Josephine Russo (born July 6, 1938)
Self, Wives, and Children
Joseph John “Joe” Russo (born January 17, 1936) married Pamela Anne “Pam” Ventura (born March 20, 1937 in Newark) on September 2, 1956 in Newark; they divorced September 26, 1974.- Patricia Michelle “Patty” Russo (born August 9, 1957)
- Joseph John “Joe” Russo Jr. (born September 1, 1958)
- Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Russo (born August 28, 1976)
Grandchildren
Patty Russo (born August 9, 1957) married Peter Paul “Pete” Morabito (born June 26, 1956) on August 20, 1972.- Therese Danielle Morabito (born June 22, 1973), tomboy
- Joseph Peter “Joey” Morabito (born July 6, 1974)
- Thomas Anthony “Tommy” Morabito (born June 1, 1976)
- Pamela Jane “Pam” Morabito (born June 25, 1978), tomboy
- Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Russo (born April 21, 1978 in Orlando, FL), tomboy
- Joseph John “Joe” Russo III (born May 13, 1979)
- Lauren Pamela Russo (born June 30, 1981)
- Jessica Margaret “Jessie” Russo (born April 15, 1984)
- Nicholas Francis “Nick” Russo (born May 10, 1987)
The Four Seasons Partnership (1960-present)
Members: Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, Joe Russo, Bob Crewe, Herbie Mandel.Heights of Members
- Frankie Valli: 5 ft, 6 in
- Tommy DeVito: 5 ft, 7 in
- Bob Gaudio: 6 ft, 3 in
- Nick Massi: 5 ft, 7 1/2 in
- Joe Russo: 5 ft, 10 in
- Bob Crewe: 6 ft
- Herbie Mandel: 6 ft, 8 in
Note
- The Four Seasons Partnership is an organization that owns the rights to material recorded by the Four Seasons.
Introduction
And now, as promised, here is an abridged list of modern rock bands that made it big in the U.S. before the British Invasion.Partial list of pre-British Invasion rock bands in the United States
- The Mockingbirds (Formed 1958; Origin: Memphis, TN)
- The Silver Sharks (Formed 1958; Origin: Manhattan)
- The Grenades (Formed 1959; Origin: the Bronx)
- The Grasshoppers (Formed 1959; Origin: Brooklyn)
- The Condors (Formed 1959; Origin: Los Angeles)
- The Four Seasons (Formed 1960; Origin: Newark, NJ)
- The Caterpillars (Formed 1960; Origin: Chicago)
- The Edsels (Formed 1960; Origin: Detroit)
- The Cockroaches (Formed 1960; Origin: Philadelphia)
- The Boston Brewers (Formed 1960; Origin: Boston)
- The Pigeons (Formed 1960; Origin: Saint Louis, MO)
- The Butterflies (Formed 1961; Origin: San Francisco)
- The Lone Stars (Formed 1961; Origin: Houston, TX)
- The Beach Boys (Formed 1961; Origin: southern California)
Notes
- Notice that Buddy Holly and the Crickets aren’t listed above. That’s because they came before 1958, when Elvis became more rebellious than ever before in mood and expression in his singles, albums, and performances, heralding the birth of modern rock.
- Nevertheless, Buddy Holly and his band are mentioned in this note because they are seen, alongside Elvis, as trendsetters, resulting in the creation of future rock bands, often with names of insectoids and other animals. That’s as well as being inspired by the latest music of notable figures such as the aforementioned Elvis and Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and Chuck Berry.
- As you can see, I’ve highlighted the Four Seasons in bold, as this is their blog thread.
- Previous item in the series 'Popular Music': Engelbert Humperdinck Bio & Related History & Bios
