The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons is an American group that was among the best-selling recording artists of the early and mid-1960s. They had a string of more than 25 hits over five years that began in 1962.

The band was first formed in 1954 and it was named The Variatones. Later in 1956, it was changed to The Four Lovers.

The main members were: Frankie Valli (born Francis Castelluccio) – vocalist, Tommy DeVito – guitarist, Nick DeVito – guitarist, and Hank Majewski – bassist.

In 1956, they had a minor hit with “You’re the Apple of My Eye” by Otis Blackwell. This single got them their first national television appearance, on The Ed Sullivan Show.

You’re the Apple of My Eye

In 1958, the group was signed by Bob Crewe to a three-year artist contract. At that time Nick DeVito and Hank Majewski had left, and Bob Guadio (keyboardist, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter) and Nick Massi (bass singer and guitarist) replaced them.

One night, the group auditioned to appear at a local bowling alley but they were turned down. Instead of just walking away, they adopted the name of the place and became The Four Seasons.

The bowling ally’s sign from the movie Jersey Boys (2014)

Before Bob Guadio joined the band, he was part of The Royal Teens, who were very popular for their hit “Shorts Shorts”, written by him.

Shorts Shorts

In 1961, The Four Seasons signed as artists to Crewe’s production company and released a single named “Bermuda”, written by Crew, which was not successful.

Bermuda

Shortly afterward, Guadio wrote the song “Sherry“, which was their biggest hit and several more hits followed it, such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like A Man”.

Since “Sherry” was a great hit and made a lot of impression, the group signed a recording contract with Vee-Jay Records and became the first white artists’ band to sign with them!

Sherry

Big Girls Don’t Cry

Performed at The Ed Sullivan Show

Walk Like A Man

The Four Seasons and The Beach Boys were the only American groups whose successful careers were not crashed when The Beatles hit the States in 1964.

Vee-Jay Records even created a two-record set, named The Beatles vs the Four Seasons: The International Battle of the Century!

From 1965 the band released hits under a variety of names or as Valli’s “solo” recordings, all were performed by the whole band.

For instance: “Working My Way Back to You” (by Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer), “My Eyes Adored You” (by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan) and “Beggin'” (by Bob Gaudio and Peggy Farina).

Working My Way Back to You

My Eyes Adored You

Beggin’

In the mid-’60s, Valli decided to try to go on a solo career without actually leaving the band. Gaudio wrote for him a hit in less than a day, named “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Sounds familiar?

Frankie Valli 

Frank Sinatra

Sadly, the quartet started to fall apart. By the ’70s Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito had quit, and Bob Gaudio had retired. Valli and Gaudio remained partners.

In 1975 a “new” Four Seasons band was introduced, with a song named “Who Loves You” (written by Gaudio).

Finally, in 1977, Valli left the group to concentrate on his solo career. He later joined again to the rebuild band and toured with it in America.

Who Loves You

A bonus fact

Tommy DeVito was a long-term friend of Angelo “Gyp” DeCarlo, who oversaw the New Jersey mafia’s loan-sharking and gambling interests and was financially supportive of the young band through its lean early years.