Comments on: How ‘Bout The Real Four Seasons?

By: Alan N

Alan N — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 13:07:44 +0000

When I saw JB 10 years ago I already knew Nick Massi was not an original member of the 4L but I figured it was too complicated for them to document the comings and goings of various members. I believe Nick had the reputation of coming and going. That’s probably why he ended up leaving at the height of the 4S success. He was in a group with Hugh Garrity called the Hollywood Playboys. I believe in 1958 when Tommy secured a date in Las Vegas his brother Nick and Hank Majewski did not want to go so Tommy fired them and that was when Nick and Hugh came into the group. In fact, I have a picture of that configuration of the group with Frankie at the extreme left (when looking at them) with his stand-up drum, then Nick on rhythm guitar, Hugh on bass and then Tommy on lead guitar. Obviously, Hugh left the group and was replaced by the keyboard player Bob Gaudi and Nick switched to bass. BTW, there are not too many videos of the original 4S playing live but I have seen one where they do a medley of 5 of their early hits and it must have been remastered and you can hear the excellent bass playing of Nick Massi. Nick, RIP, too bad you didn’t stick around longer. I heard an interview of him by Don K. Reed and he knew the play was in the works. He was very proud of his work in the group and it was unfortunate he passed away before it opened.

By: Alan N

Alan N — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 09:23:54 +0000

When I saw JB 10 years ago I already knew Nick Massi was not an original member but I figured it was too complicated for them to document the comings and goings of various members. I believe Nick had the reputation of coming and going. That’s probably why he ended up leaving at the height of the 4S success. He was in a group with Hugh Garrity called the Hollywood Playboys. I believe in 1958 when Tommy secured a date in Las Vegas his brother Nick and Hank Majewski did not want to go so Tommy fired them and that was when Nick and Hugh came into the group. In fact, I have a picture of that configuration of the group with Frankie at the extreme left (when looking at them) with his stand-up drum, then Nick on rhythm guitar, Hugh on bass and then Tommy on lead guitar. Obviously, Hugh left the group and was replaced by the keyboard player Bob Gaudi and Nick switched to bass. BTW, there are not too many videos of the original 4S playing live but I have seen one where they do a medley of 5 of their early hits and it must have been remastered and you can hear the excellent bass playing of Nick Massi. Nick, RIP, too bad you didn’t stick around longer. I heard an interview of him by Don K. Reed and he knew the play was in the works. He was very proud of his work in the group and it was unfortunate he passed away before it opened.

By: Barry Disbrow

Barry Disbrow — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:29:56 +0000

Tommy is the younger brother of the late Nick DeVito, not his twin.

By: LindaL

LindaL — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:55:19 +0000

Dave: Thanks for the info. The article is very informative and adds further depth to the understanding of the group’s beginnings.

By: Len Gersten

Len Gersten — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:57:40 +0000

David,

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should offer courses on their various inductees, and they would need to get you to facilitate the course on Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons. If that ever came to pass, I would certainly be among the first to sign up!! Thanks once again for enlightening readers, like myself, on this blog!

Regards,

Len Gersten