Category: Arts & Culture
- Awards And Honors:
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (1990)
the Four Seasons, American rock-and-roll group that was among the best-selling recording artists of the early and mid-1960s. Best remembered for lead singer Frankie Valli’s soaring falsetto, the Four Seasons had a string of more than 25 hits over a five-year period that began with “Sherry” in 1962. The principal members were Frankie Valli (original name Francis Castelluccio; b. May 3, 1937, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.), Tommy DeVito (b. June 19, 1928, Belleville, New Jersey—d. September 21, 2020, Henderson, Nevada), Bob Gaudio (b. November 17, 1942, New York, New York), and Nick Massi (original name Nicholas Macioci; b. September 19, 1935, Newark—d. December 24, 2000, West Orange, New Jersey).
Evolved from a Newark vocal group called the Varietones and briefly known as the Four Lovers, the Four Seasons developed a harmony-based style that shared Italian American doo-wop origins with Dion and the Belmonts. Keyboard player Gaudio, along with producer Bob Crewe, became the group’s chief songwriter as the Four Seasons cranked out rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll hits, first for Vee Jay and then for Philips Records. Among the top-10 hits from the group’s golden period were “Sherry” (1962), “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (1962), “Walk Like a Man” (1963), “Dawn (Go Away)” (1964), and “Let’s Hang On!” (1965). Valli, who possessed a three-octave range, began a parallel solo career with the hit “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (1967). His popularity and that of the group declined in the late 1960s but rebounded in the mid-1970s when Valli had number one singles with “My Eyes Adored You” (1975) and “Grease” (1978), while the Four Seasons had hits with “Who Loves You” and “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)” (both 1975) before being relegated to the oldies circuit.
The story of the Four Seasons was dramatized in the long-running Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Jersey Boys (2006; film 2014). The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
As a devoted enthusiast of music history, particularly the golden era of rock and roll, I can confidently attest to my deep knowledge of the topic, and the Four Seasons holds a special place in that vast reservoir of information. My extensive engagement with the subject matter includes not only an appreciation for their music but also an in-depth exploration of the band's evolution, impact, and cultural significance.
The Four Seasons, an iconic American rock-and-roll group, emerged as one of the best-selling recording artists during the early and mid-1960s. Led by the unforgettable falsetto of Frankie Valli, the group achieved remarkable success with a string of over 25 hits in a five-year span, commencing with the chart-topping "Sherry" in 1962. The key members included Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi, each contributing uniquely to the group's harmonious and distinctive sound.
The roots of the Four Seasons can be traced back to their origins as a Newark vocal group known as the Varietones, later adopting the name the Four Lovers. They developed a harmony-based style that shared Italian American doo-wop origins with contemporaries like Dion and the Belmonts. Notably, keyboard player Bob Gaudio, alongside producer Bob Crewe, played a pivotal role as the group's chief songwriter during their association with Vee Jay and Philips Records.
The group's golden period yielded a series of top-10 hits, including the aforementioned "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man," "Dawn (Go Away)," and "Let's Hang On!" These songs showcased the Four Seasons' ability to seamlessly blend rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll influences, solidifying their status as chart-topping sensations.
Frankie Valli embarked on a parallel solo career, achieving success with the hit "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" in 1967. While the group and Valli experienced a decline in popularity during the late 1960s, they made a triumphant comeback in the mid-1970s. Valli scored number one singles with "My Eyes Adored You" (1975) and "Grease" (1978), while the Four Seasons had hits with "Who Loves You" and "December 1963 (Oh What a Night)" (both 1975). Despite a stint in the oldies circuit, their enduring impact is underscored by their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
The rich and dynamic story of the Four Seasons found another dimension when it was dramatized in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Jersey Boys" in 2006, later adapted into a film in 2014. This enduring legacy and cultural impact further solidify the Four Seasons' place in the annals of rock and roll history.
