The “Joisey Boys” didn’t start recording as The 4 Seasons until 1961, but recorded a number of hits between then and 1964, many of which were released on Gary, Indiana’s Vee Jay Records, then with Philips starting in 1964, due to problems with Vee Jay (pretty much the same ones The Beatles had with them). Their name came from a bowling alley that turned them down after an audition in 1960.
Their first #1 hit was their first single with Vee Jay, “Sherry,” released in 1962. It was written by guitarist Bob Gaudio and producer Bob Crewe, and went through several names (including “Jackie” for Jacqueline Kennedy) until they landed on Sherry, the daughter of Gaudio’s best friend, New York DJ Jack Spector.
The band released ten singles between Vee Jay and Philips in 1964. The first #1 on Philips was a two-A-sided single, “Rag Doll” and “Silence Is Golden.” By this time they were billing themselves as “The 4 Seasons, Featuring the ‘Sound’ of Frankie Valli.” Here are both songs.
Frankie Valli is still touring with a revamped lineup. Their website is here.
Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons, your Two for Tuesday, February 27, 2018.
I loved the movie, Jersey Boys with all their music.
LikeLike
I was a big fan of the Four Seasons in my youth. And I had a crush on a girl named Sherry when that song came out! I didn’t know that Frankie Valli was still performing. Last I heard of him, he was playing a character on “The Sopranos.”
LikeLike
Yes, loved Jersey Boys and saw the play several times in addition to the movie. We also saw Frankie Valli in person at Sonoma State University the first year our daughter started going there. He still has it. I’d like to try and see him again at the Mountain Winery. He goes there almost every year too. You can’t beat that kind of music!
LikeLike
It’s hard to forget those songs.
LikeLike
The 4 Seasons were always on the radio in the Sixties, or so it seems. Their music sounds best when played through the speaker of an old transistor radio…
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I was a big fan back in the sixties when my family still lived near Chicago. Still enjoy hearing their music.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LikeLike
They’re classics. Incredible harmony and they wrote some great songs.
LikeLike
I’m not sure which year you are doing but you are in the 60s:) I always was amazed at how high his voice went but I always enjoyed their songs and had no idea how important they were in the musical genre
LikeLike
These were from ’62-’64, but of course they had hits through the Seventies. Bob Gaudio did the tenor and falsetto vocals, I think; Frankie Valli was the lead singer. They managed to outlast the British Invasion, which is nothing short of a miracle.
LikeLike
I was a big fan of The 4 Seasons, back when. I still like to hear their music.
LikeLike
They were huge on the Top 40 back in the Sixties and survived the British Invasion. Frankie Valli’s “You’re Just Too Good To Be True” spent a few weeks at #1 in Chicago, even while a couple of their other songs were still on the chart. They connected with their audience in a very intimate manner, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree – they were excellent in connecting with their audience.
LikeLike
John,
I like Franki Valli and the Four Seasons when I was a kid and still do. There’s something magical about their sound. That’s good to hear that he still gives concerts.
LikeLike
They were on “The Best of The Ed Sullivan Show” yesterday. (It’s on Decades at 5 PM.) I think it was from the late Sixties, but Frankie Valli still sounds the save.
LikeLike