Comments on: Daughter Reflects on Her Dad and His Songwriting

By: Ted Hammond

Ted Hammond — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:45:21 +0000

I looked yesterday afternoon for a survey I once had that showed “Fallen Angel” at #1 on a WSAM Saginaw, MI, survey, but I couldn’t find it.

I had a survey from 1963 that showed “MARLENA/CANDY GIRL” at #1 on WTRX Flint, but my parents, like many parents, cleaned my room and threw that one away! Billboard only had Marlena as a #36 B-side.

I’ll keep looking for the WSAM survey. “Fallen Angel” did reach #9 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts.

As I stated elsewhere here, I suspect that Michigan is second only to New Jersey in FV4S popularity over the years, even though we have many of our “own” recording artists.

By: Howard Tucker

Howard Tucker — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:05:40 +0000

I so loved “Fallen Angel” when I first heard it in 1976, and thought it would become as big as “My Eyes Adored You.” I was amazed that it exited the Billboard charts so quickly after peaking at #36, and wondered whether fans were expecting more disco from Frankie after “Swearin’ to G-d” and “Our Day Will Come”. I wonder how high it would have risen had it been the follow-up to MEAY.

I’d love to see this song re-released in 2008, particularly in light of our military losses overseas. In any case, almost like the Four Seasons themselves, I’m thrilled it’s finally getting the recognition it so deserves.