- Formed in 1960, from Newark, NJ. The original members were Frankie Valli (lead singer), Bob Gaudio (keyboards and tenor vocals), Tommy DeVito (guitar and baritone vocals) and Nick Massi (bass and bass vocals).
- Valli and Gaudio are the only constants with the group (both are 50% co-owners of the act and music), and Gaudio no longer performs, so Valli is the only original member that continues to tour.
- Today, there are 7 members of the group in addition to Valli. There are 28 other people that in one way or another were part of the group since its inception. Valli and the Four Seasons continues to perform – Valli will be 88 years old in 2022.
- They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
- The name The Four Seasons was taken from a bowling alley in Union Township NJ that the band auditioned at in 1960. And…they didn’t get the job.
- Frankie Valli was born Francesco Castelluccio. His first single was released in 1953, a song called My Mother’s Eyes, released as Frankie Valley. He has had 29 top 40 hits with the Four Seasons, and 9 as a solo artist (#1 singles were My Eyes Adored You and Grease).
- Their breakthrough came with their first studio album, named Sherry and 11 Others, in 1962. This album included #1 singles Sherry and Big Girls Don’t Cry.
- They continued to have success throughout the 60s. While they stopped scoring major hits in the first half of the 70s, they continued to be a very popular touring group. There was a resurgence of record sales in the mid-70s, by Valli as a solo artists and by the group, with hits including Who Loves You and December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night).
- The Four Seasons sound was unique, featuring Valli’s high falsetto (and later, Gaudio’s tenor as lead vocal). They used intricate harmonies, with a doo wop sound. Nothing but feel good music from this group.
- A new generation of music lovers discovered the group with the musical play Jersey Boys. The play portrays the history of the band in four parts – one for each of the founding members. The Broadway production from 2006 won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The movie adaptation was released in 2014, and was directed by Clint Eastwood.
- Watch them on this montage of early hits, and enjoy the versatility of their singing.