The Clair Brothers Engineered the Sound of The Four Seasons!
November 22nd, 2008Bob Crewe may have the “best ears in the business,” but The Four Seasons’ amazing sound on the road was due in part to Clair Brothers Audio! In last year’s Jersey Beat boxed set, Roy Clair talked about how he and his brother were responsible for the incredible Four Seasons’ sound in concert. Clair stated,
The 4 Seasons played the Fountainebleau in Miami back in 1966. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass was the opening act. Alpert, with his background in recording, brought his own sound system, but made the Seasons use the hotel system. After the show, the Seasons’ wives asked, “How come Herb Alpert sounded better than you?” Then it hit Frankie Valli: “We need our own sound system.” The next place they played, at Franklin & Marshall College, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my brother Gene and I did the sound, and from then on we went everywhere they went, something that was unheard-of for bands at the time. That was the beginning of Clair Brothers Audio…Giving audiences the “sound” of Frankie Valli, in all its glory, was a thrill. The 4 Seasons took the Clair brothers from obscurity to prosperity, and I’ll never forget who got us there.
Here’s a really great video honoring the Clair Brothers!
Having attended many a 4 Seasons’ concert during the second half of the ’60s I can attest to the fact that the concert sound was always impeccable. Frankie, Bob, Tommy, and Joe always came through clearly, vocally and instrumentally. The 4 Seasons’ concerts in the 1966 – 1970 time frame were probably their best. Thank you Roy and Gene for your contributuion to many enjoyable concert experiences. Your subsequent success is well deserved.
Comment by David Cace — December 1, 2008 @ 8:50 am