Comments on: Friday Flashback: The Four Seasons’ 1971 Top of the Pops Appearance!

By: Ted

Ted — Fri, 27 May 2016 09:08:38 +0000

In 1971, we were latching on to anything that sounded like or seemed to be influenced by the Four Seasons. Others have noticed it too, but listen, especially to the line “It always seems to be a Monday” in “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” by The Fortunes and try to tell me that the vocal style wasn’t influenced by Frankie Valli. More so even than “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel. It took forever for Billy to admit that he had lifted the last line of “Rag Doll” for the lyrical inspiration of “I Love You Just The Way You Are”.

By: Bob Grimm

Bob Grimm — Sun, 22 May 2016 21:31:55 +0000

I’m amazed that this was 45 years ago! Great memories and no, I’m not Tommy! (I still have that red 355 Gibson!)

By: Sandie Blickem

Sandie Blickem — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 22:44:56 +0000

F
Do you know who was on the 1971 tour apart from the Seasons and the Fantastics?

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:32:42 +0000

Ted, Brian. This was such a strange period for them. The UK/Northern Soul were instumental in keeping the group “visible” at least.

I remember Phillips re-released “The Proud One” after the success of “You’re Ready Now” and it went nowhere. Neither the record company nor maybe even Valli realized the importance the Northern Soul dance scene. Perhaps a more upbeat dance number could have been used to keep the flame alive. (As evidenced by “The Night” years later)

In America, in 1971, I don’t think they were on anyone’s radar. Not sure if anyone reported Tommy’s leaving or if anyone cared in the music world. Not seeing Tommy in this lineup was a bit of a shock to me at the time, though it was nice to see Gaudio for the last time.

I also caught the June Paladium gig in 1972. What I remember mostly is that they hired a local horn section for that show and they just couldn’t keep up with the snappy arrangements.

By: Ted Hammond

Ted Hammond — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:19:56 +0000

Ray, even though Rolling Stone did not see fit to put any FV4S tracks in their Top 500 Records of all time, the Northern Soul Top 500 of all time includes “You’re Ready Now” at #96 and “The Night” at #181. Also, a remake of FV4S’s “I’m Gonna Change” by The Velours is at #480.

http://www.vespa-t5.org/gsf_images/Northern_Soul_Top500.pdf