A Tribute to the Late, Great Nick Massi (September 19, 1927-December 24, 2000)
December 24th, 2013
Nick Massi
Thirteen years ago today, the amazing bassist, bass singer and vocal arranger for The Four Seasons passed away. As Frankie Valli states in the final scene in JERSEY BOYS, “And now he’s gone. God rest him. He died Christmas Eve,2000. I mean, for a Catholic, is that style or what?”
Thanks to JERSEY BOYS, the world has gotten a glimpse into Mr. Massi’s amazing talents, including his phenomenal vocal arranging, his distinct bass vocals, and of course his bass playing.
In 2000, Frankie Valli and Bob Crewe praised Nick Massi’s musical genius. “He could do four-part modern harmonies that would amaze musicians who had studied for years,” Valli told the Star-Ledger. “And he did it all in his head without writing it down.”
“In the voice department, there was no one like Nick,” longtime Four Seasons producer Bob Crewe told the paper. “He had that wonderful big booming sound. He was one of the most informed musicians I’ve ever worked with, with an innate sense of how things worked together.”
How many of you have explored Nick Massi’s pre-Four Seasons music? There were the Hollywood Playboys and Nickie and the Nitelights, just to name two. Below is a video of “Tell Me You Care” by Nickie and the Nite Lites.
nicky also done a few more 45″ ie alex alda little pony on topix and a solo 45″ from 74 is one oneway records called little pony bw ballad of my nixon
as well as loads more what a star he was !!!!
truely missed
john pingree uk
Comment by john pingree — December 25, 2013 @ 9:35 pm
“You are never forgotten and your love is always with Us”.
Comment by Patti-Massi-Candeliere — December 27, 2013 @ 5:07 am
I love finding songs where his vocals shine. Tell Me You Care is one of my favorite songs! Thank you, John, for mentioning Ballad!! I had never heard of that one, and I love it!!
Comment by Olivia T~ — December 27, 2013 @ 3:19 pm