Comments on: Forget the Beach Boys–Jersey Boys Invade LA!

By: Ted Hammond

Ted Hammond — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:09:33 +0000

The article doesn’t mention that the Beach Boys borrowed the vocal hook from “Walk Like A Man” in “Surfers Rule”. That has the younger kids wondering on YouTube which song was first. Kids, the Beach Boys were imitating the Four Seasons, just in case you didn’t think that the Four Seasons referred to was the GROUP, not the seasons of the year.

And oddly enough, “Electric Stories” from late 1968 was a Top 10 hit on KGB San Diego! So apparently, the Four Seasons did have appeal in California, if only with a wildly different style of Four Seasons song.

By: Mike B. Magbaleta

Mike B. Magbaleta — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:03:14 +0000

Who wouldn’t pass up an interview with you, Howard? With all the friendships you made with the B’way cast, your informative style of reporting and knowledge of the Four Seasons/Jersey Boys, I knew Christopher or any of the 1st Nat’l cast would never pass up spending time with a true fan.

At the Curran Theatre, Chris, and the “boys” always fully accommodated their fans at the stage door, the swings and ensemble cast members even spent time chatting, posing for photos and signing as well.

The entire “Jersey Boys Family” are made up of true Broadway professionals and down-to-earth people that truly are giving us a gift on stage that we will never forget.

Thanks Howard, for reminding us of how cool and accommodating our 1st Tour Cast is! We miss them here in SF!

By: Howard Tucker

Howard Tucker — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 01:17:01 +0000

I had the pleasure of chatting with Christopher Kale Jones for a long time after Thursday night’s show. His performance was wonderful, with a powerful transformation from the young Frankie to the more mature Frankie with an amazingly powerful voice. His dance acrobatics on “Beggin’” were astounding.

Chris is downplaying his landing the Frankie role above. Once he saw Jersey Boys, Chris knew he was the perfect Frankie. He immersed himself in everything Jersey Boys, much as Oprah Winfrey did when she embraced The Color Purple twenty years ago. Chris didn’t stop until he got the role–and it took a lot more than “two takes on a Sunday afternoon.”

Chris was so generous with his time on Thursday to me, a complete stranger, after performing 27 songs. He was focused during our entire discussion, never once yawning, looking at his watch, sighing, or telling me how tired he was. (He actually looked ready for another full performance.) Our two cars were the last in the Ahmanson parking lot. You were kind and considerate, Chris; thank you.