The Four Seasons (band)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Four Seasons (known off and on since 1967 as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - although not shown that way on any of their hit records), is an American pop and rock group. They also have a sound somewhat reminiscent of doo wop, but it was never known as a doo wop quartet. By the mid 1960s it had become an internationally famous rock and roll group.
In 1960, the group known as The Four Lovers evolved into The Four Seasons, with Frankie Valli as the lead singer, Bob Gaudio (formerly of The Royal Teens) on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals (Massi was replaced in 1965 by Charles Calello, who was in turn replaced later in 1965 by Joe Long on bass guitar and bass vocals).
The official name of the organization is the Four Seasons Partnership, formed by Gaudio and Valli after a failed audition in 1961. While singers, producers, and musicians have come and gone, Gaudio and Valli remain the group's constant (with each owning fifty percent of the act and its assets, including virtually all of its recording catalog).
The Four Seasons (group members 1960–1965) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
