Bob Gaudio’s First Group–The Royal Teens
April 15th, 2007
In Jersey Boys, we get a glimpse into Bob Gaudio’s first group, The Royal Teens. When Bob was 15, The Royal Teens hit #3 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1958 with “Short Shorts.” Today’s edition of the Rock Gems blog provides a detailed account of The Royal Teen’s rise to fame. Here’s a preview of the story:
The Royal Teens are, by one definition, a hard-luck band. They could play hard and loud, but they also sang well and knew how to harmonize. They were one of the better rock ‘n roll bands of their period, nicely self-contained and with a great beat and hard attack on their instruments, which included sax, electric guitar, and piano. But for all of that, they’re virtually a one-hit group, and that one hit, “Short Shorts,” isn’t too representative of their sound. And, yet, without it, it’s unlikely that a version of the Royal Teens would still get gigs in the Northeast in the summer of 1999, 40 years after the group’s last decent chart placement.
Excuse me…is that Bob Gaudio on guitar? I think I saw a picture of him playing guitar with the Four Seasons once, but I could be mistaken.
- J.A.
Comment by John Alda — April 15, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
It sure looks like Bob Gaudio playing the guitar, John. Don’t know if the picture represented the instrumentation of the group. I believe I read that Bob Gaudio played keyboards with the group, but really don’t know about guitar. Most musicians like Bob Gaudio can play many instruments, though.
Did you know that Al Kooper (not to be confused with Alice Cooper) was also in the Royal Teens for a while? Al Kooper later formed the Blues Project and Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Al Kooper also composed “This Diamond Ring”, recorded by Gary Lewis.
To have had both Bob Gaudio and Al Kooper in The Royal Teens is truly amazing.
Comment by Ted Hammond — April 16, 2007 @ 8:32 am
Did a fellow by the name of Jimmy Canton, ever play the drums for the Royal Teens?
Comment by Paul Benda — April 23, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Bob Gaudio bass,
Billy Dalton lead guitar
Larry Qualiano sax
Crandall on drums
I saw this line-up in concert in 1958
Comment by B Lee — October 20, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
I knew there had to be a connection! The Royal Teens were great. Their semi-hit, “Believe Me” should be considered a rock classic. Google it, listen to it. The RTs are on par with other one-hit wonders like “The Elegants” (“Little Star”). So freakin’ beeyootyful!
Hoskeebo!
Comment by Brian Foley — March 28, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
Such talent, and most of all the electric sound still continues!
I had the pleasure to meet the FAB! Tom Austin.
He is presently painting up a storm of wonders!
And on May 13th, 2009 a wonderful NYC luncheon at the Hilton Grand Ballroom was graced by the print” Short Short Season” by artist Tom Austin and sold in Susan G Komen auction. Congratulations !!!! And many thanks to Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tom Austin for the autographed piece! LOVELY CONTRIBUTION from all!!! Much thanks from the artist Joni C Relyea
First Bloom Collection. Sincerely, Joni
Comment by joni relyea — May 17, 2009 @ 11:52 pm