Original Jersey Boy Frankie Valli Keeps Going and Going and Going
November 14th, 2009
Lots of Frankie Valli updates coming up. Here’s the first one: Frankie will be performing Wednesday at Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium, the same hall where JERSEY BOYS played a successful run over the summer.
Here’s a preview to David Menconi’s interview with Valli:
Q: “Jersey Boys” has a lot about “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” your 1967 signature hit. Was there really that much resistance to that song?
A: There was, for a lot of reasons. It was a different kind of record from anything we’d done before, and the record company was afraid I might be leaving the group. We recorded it, and it was in the can for more than two years. We basically had to force them to put it out, and the funny thing is it was not an instantaneous hit. A lot of people in radio did not believe in it, because it was a total departure, very challenging.
Q: How did “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” break through?
A: We were working in Detroit at a club called the Rooster Tail, and we visited the big station right outside Detroit. The program director was a man named Paul Drew, so we brought the record in and he listened. “I don’t hear it,” he said. So we told him we were working at the Rooster Tail, come on down and be our guest. The audience reaction to that song was so unbelievable that he came backstage afterward and told us, “I still don’t hear it, but there must be something to it to get that kind of reaction. So I’ll play it for a couple of weeks.” He did, and it broke out of Detroit. It’s a standard, one of the all-time most-played songs. That’s quite an achievement, especially for the writers and publishers – of whom, I am happy to say, I am one.
Visit NewsObserver.com to read the full interview!
The radio station Frankie Valli is referring to is the legendary CKLW. If you went through the Detroit Windsor Tunnel, the studios were just on the other side on Riverside Dr. in Windsor.
CKLW had quite a following on the East Coast at night. David and Howard used to listen. Many listeners would hear a song like CTMEOY on CKLW, and the next day, call and ask WABC why they weren’t playing it.
Comment by Ted Hammond — November 14, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
“CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU”
Was always “ADORED” in the Massi home from the first time we listened to it,and Yes! we heard it,right from day one. Music being a “HUGE” hobby of mine, dad coached and prepared me for my first talent show at Roosevelt Jr.High School in West Orange.
Guess what song I selected????
WOW!!!! “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” came in first place. Dad and I knew it was a “WINNER”…
Its a blessing when you have a good ear for music.
When you hit that right note and hear the right sound.
Getting another chance to use such a pretty song is on the day I got married “The Manor” West Orange,with the orchestra behind me, singing this perfect song “CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU” to my Wonderful husband Frank, singing right into “MY MOTHERS EYES” for my Gorgeous mother Margie it was so very special.It was a total surprise to them both, My dad loved it.
Said I sounded just like Frankie!!What a compliment.
The clapping continued..its great when an audience
loves what you do especially when its done well.
The audiences reaction to that song is unbelievable.
The orchestra also added throughout the evening original “4 Seasons Medley” in Honor of The Boys.
Our Wedding would have not been complete without
“The 4 Seasons” (originals)along with “Who Loves You” and “Oh! What a Night” Bob & Judy Gaudio,you both
are fabulous.XXXXXX Thanks for giving this world
these songs.
So many incorporated this song in there life one way or another, seeing Barry Manilow and Lauryn Hill singing this on there c.d. and in concert,to the movies with Heath Ledger singing it with a marching
band on a field at a High school in #10 Things I hate about you…I will always remember his role in this movie which I loved,and selecting such a perfect song.
Thank you for letting me share my own experience with
this song: “CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU” and my family.
Frankie another “GREAT” solo song and “THE JERSEY BOYS” made it final….
Thanks from me and my families Heart,
Frankie,for giving this song such a sweet sound, and Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe for getting this down on the music sheets, only the best!!!!
I love Ya! All Very much
Respect/Love/Blessings Always,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Patti
http://www.nickmassiart.com
WorkHard/Dream/Bekind
Comment by Patti-Massi-Candeliere — November 14, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
THANKS! DETROIT FOR BREAKING OUT THIS SONG.
DO YOU HEAR IT NOW???
Patti
http://www.nickmassiart.com
WorkHard/Dream/Bekind
Comment by Patti-Massi-Candeliere — November 14, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
Thanks, Patti, for your heartfelt post!
There is a station in the Detroit area which regularly plays CTMEOY. It is CKWW 580, which is owned by the same company that now owns CKLW 800, who broke the original CTMEOY. CKWW is available online also. When the tickets for the Detroit Jersey Boys show went on sale, CKWW was playing four Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons songs per hour.
Some of the other radio and TV stations have been running contests to win tickets and packages with meals and limosuine service. The show opens in December.
The Oldies station WOMC, which is the sister station of WCBS-FM, occasionally plays CTMEOY.
And as I have mentioned before, our High School Marching Band played the Medley of “Going Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” in the late 1960s.
Comment by Ted Hammond — November 14, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
I just have to say, fantastic!! I feel so privilaged to have been a part of this history of music.. I just saw the jersey boys live show and having grown up in my family home, my parents loving this music it brought a tear to my eyes listening to those guys on stage with those magical voices belt out those tunes.. Thankyou frankie for some magical memories and god bless your beautiful voice,persaverance and dedication through the years. Can’t take my eyes off you is a fantastic song and i cant believe it got shelved for sooo long!
Comment by Diana Wilson — February 12, 2011 @ 8:38 pm
Frankie, Just picked up your “Romincing the 60′s” CD. Fantastic! Also, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is one of my all-time favorite songs! When I was A boy my mother used to play that 45 until MY EARS BLED! Great memory, great song! Thanks for all the music you and the Boys recorded over the years, from the early 60′s right thru the disco music of the 70′s, especially “Swearin’ to God.” Sure is wonderful to hear all those sweet, romantic tunes. Takes the sting out of the garbage music being made today! Keep it up!
Comment by Jim Calderaro, Jr. — April 15, 2011 @ 4:22 pm
I WAS IN NYC RECENTLY AND SAW THE JERSEY BOYS ON STAGE…IT BROUGHT BACK SO MANY MEMORIES AND HOW MUCH I LOVED THEIR MUSIC SO I HAD TO GET SOME NEW DOWNLOADS…THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
Comment by SUE SALMON — May 1, 2011 @ 7:14 pm
I am just an adoring fan, but I saw Frankie last night in Boston, live for the first time, and “Oh What a Night,” Frankie was amazing and my boyfriend was totally blown away by the surprise tickets. Thank you Frankie, it was one of the best concerts I have seen in a very long time. I am still singing today!
Comment by Maryella — May 6, 2011 @ 9:34 am
Hi, I saw Frankie Vallie & The four Seasons @ Batley Variety Club in Yorkshire in the early 70′s Fantastic, the sound was great, live performance perfect, groups today shoulds learn lessons.
Still sing along & know all the words-happy memories.
Comment by Diane — May 30, 2011 @ 12:21 pm
The program director that Frankie mentioned by name in this interview, Paul Drew, who broke CTMEOY at CKLW, has passed away at the age of 78. RIP Paul Drew.
http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/118486/paul-drew-passes
Comment by Ted — May 18, 2013 @ 3:10 pm