Who doesn’t love the incredible music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons? There’s just something about that New Jersey quartet and with Valli’s amazing voice. Their songs are something people can’t stop singing. Yes, even years later! Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons or simply, The Four Seasons began singing in the 50’s and found worldwide success with songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “December, 1963.” Of course, the world has begun to delve into their story with the Broadway show and subsequent film about the band, but we’re here to reveal those little known facts about the band and clarify which elements from the musical and film rang true.
A Little Help
Let’s start off with the connection to the mafia, as explored in the Broadway show. Well, Tommy DeVito (The Four Seasons’ guitarist) was friends with Angelo “Gyp” DeCarlo for years. DeCarlo was in charge of loan-sharking and gambling interests for the New Jersey mafia. Gyp also helped fun the band during the years they were starting out. Funny enough, The Four Seasons performed at the Atlanta prison Gyp was serving time at back in 1972.
Jersey Connections
The band now called The Four Seasons, was formerly called The Four Lovers. Now, if you’re familiar with the band members, you know the song-writing prodigy that is Bob Gaudio. Well, thanks to actor Joe Pesci, Bob Gaudio was introduced to Frankie Valli. At the time, Gaudio was in a band called the Royal Teens, but he left them and joined The Four Seasons. Thanks Pesci!