January 24, 2007

The Four Seasons Live in the UK in 1971!

January 24th, 2007

Check out the Four Seasons (Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Joe Long, and Bob Grimm) in the UK singing “Let’s Hang On” in 1971!

17 Comments »

  1. This is indeed a rarity. Of all of the post “Original ‘Seasons’ of the 1960s” (a term I use to be inclusive of Joe Long, a “Season” from 1966-1975 – “Opus 17″ through “Who Loves You”), Bob Grimm may be the least known (he does have a current web site). I only saw Mr. Grimm perform in the 4 Seasons’ back-up band as a back-up guitar player. His stint as a “Season” is discussed in Rex Woodard’s first article on the 4 Seasons that appeared in Goldmine Magazine (and currently available on the GILG web site-Mr. Woodard’s first as well as his second article [1980 and 1981 I believe]on the 4 Seasons are a must read for any 4 Seasons fan). As the back-up guitarist, Mr. Grimm knew the guitar parts and apparently could sing and to take advantage of the UK opportunity, he received a battlefield promotion.

    It is my understanding that Mr. Grimm never appeared as a “performing” member of the 4 Seasons in the US as after the hurry-up UK tour he liked the UK so much he decided to stay there. Upon their return to the US, Bob Gaudio looked for a permanent lead guitarist to replace Tommy DeVito and found Demetri Callas who stayed with the group in that capactity for 3-4 years.

    If anyone wants more detail on the revolving door of the “Seasons” in the post DeVito and Gaudio era (Gaudio stopped performing in 1972, DeVito in 1970) read Mr. Woodard’s first article. For pre “Seasons” history, read Mr. Woodard’s second article.

    Comment by David Cace — January 25, 2007 @ 7:02 am

  2. Wow, what a treat!

    I was actually living in England at the time of this tour. Saw them in a Northern town called Stocton-on-tees at the Club Fiesta, I believe.

    Being away from the States for a while, imagine my surprise seeing Bob Grimm….Where’s Tommy??? I didn’t know what to think. (Jersey Boys explained that one)

    I also didn’t realize that it would be the last time I got to see Bob Gaudio perform. I believe he left just a few months later. That makes this clip really special.

    Thanks again for making my day!!

    Comment by Ray Ricci — January 25, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

  3. Thank you, David, for all of this information, as I am still trying to figure out the timeline regarding the transition from the original Four Seasons to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I saw them perform live four different times in the late sixties and early seventies and my memory is not clear as to which configuration of the Seasons band I saw back then. According to this information, perhaps I saw both the original Four Seasons and Frankie Valli with his new back-ups. Last night at the Jersey Boys stage door the real Bob Gaudio emerged and signed autographs, as he frequently attends the play. So watching this video clip of him today was a timely addition to the Jersey Boys blog!

    Comment by Beverley Micciche — January 28, 2007 @ 12:26 pm

  4. Beverly

    You are very welcome. The 60′s lineup is easy, then things get a little “involved.” That’s where Rex Woodward’s first article in Goldmine Magazine clarifies the 70′s lineups so well. I attended many concerts but I never wrote anything down, but going from memory, I believe Mr. Woodard got it all correct. Quickly, the 60′s lineup is as follows, I may be off a month, but that’s about it.

    1962 through September 1965 – FV, BG, TD and Nick Massi

    October 1965 – December 1965 – FV, BG, TD, Charlie
    Callello

    January 1966 – December 1970 – FV, BG, TD, Joe Long

    Charlie Callello was only intended to be a temporary replacement to fill touring commitments as the group looked for a permanent member and found one in Joe Long, who was with the group from “Opus 17″ through “Who Loves You.” So the only constants from 1971 through September 1975 were Frankie and Joe Long, with Gaudio leaving sometime in early 1972 as I recall. Rex Woodard’s first article painstakingly fills in the the comings and goings of Bob Grimm, Demitri Callas, Bill DeLoach, Clay Jordan, Don Ciccone, Lee Shapiro etc. Rex Woodard’s Goldmine Magazine articles are on the GILG website as are interviews of Joe Long and Charlie Callello. Mr. Callello says he was a performing member for about 18 months in his interview. That is simply not the case. Three or four months at the most.

    If you recall some comedy routines as well as some impromptu comedy, Tommy DeVito was still with the group. Tommy and Joe played off each other very well in concert, and Frankie was still doing the comedy version of “I’m In The Mood For Love/Moody’s Mood For Love.” After Tommy left the group, Joe Long continued as the “MC” of the shows but there were no more comedy routines.

    Hope this helps.

    Comment by David Cace — January 29, 2007 @ 8:01 am

  5. David,

    Thanks for all your insights on the group’s history. If you happen to see this comment, I would appreciate some clarification. You seem to indicate on your above post that Joe Long was still a member of the band for their 1975 comeback hit “Who Loves You.” I remember seeing them on the Mike Douglas Show performing this song when the record was just breaking (on a telecast just after Labor Day weekend), and I don’t recall Joe Long being a mamber of the ensemble at the time. Is it possible he left the group just prior to the Who Loves You album sessions? Thanks again.

    Comment by Len Gersten — February 1, 2007 @ 11:55 am

  6. Len

    I believe Frankie was a co-host with Mike Douglas for that week and then the rest of the group would contribute, mostly in song, during the week as well. By this time I had graduated college and had a job so I only saw some parts of the week’s shows and only the tail end at that, but Joe Long was there. Actually there is a picture of Mike Douglas with Frankie, Joe Long, Don Ciccone, and Lee Shapiro in Rex Woodard’s first Goldmine article (1981) which article is available on Frank Rovello’s GILG web site.

    It is my understanding that Joe Long is not on any of the other cuts on the “Who Loves You” album, but he is definitely on the “Who Loves You” cut. In fact, that great bass guitar playing on “Who Loves You” is that of Mr. Long. It is also my understanding, and Mr. Woodard says the same thing in his article, that “Who Loves You” had been recorded many months before with the music track and backgroud vocals, and was awaiting Frankie’s lead. Actually there is a bootleg version of “Who Loves You” that has Don Ciccone singing lead just so Gaudio could shop it around while waiting for Frankie to record the lead. Don does a pretty good job actually, but some parts of the song were just slightly out of his range. You can check with Frank Rovello through his GILG web site on this as well and I believe he also may have some recordings of the Mike Douglas shows for that week. I believe he posted one musical performance once from these Mike Douglas shows a year or so ago.

    The only other historical bits of information I can give you on the Mike Douglas co-hosting appearance week is that Don Ciccone got to introduce some game he had invented. Lastly, the co-hosting gig was announced 6 or 7 years prior on a 4 Seasons Mike Douglas appearance, when Gaudio and DeVito were still with the group, but Frankie didn’t get around to doing it until 1975.

    Comment by David Cace — February 1, 2007 @ 4:42 pm

  7. David, once again, you provide a wealth of information! I will definitely have to check out the article you refer to by Rex Woodard on the GILG Website; it sounds like an interesting and informative read. In fact, I will take a look at both of the articles he has written.

    Thank you very much!!

    Comment by Len Gersten — February 2, 2007 @ 10:06 am

  8. Though but a footnote in this anthology, the memories are rich and vivid. Bob & Frankie were always gentlemen; Joe never liked me; I was too young to conform and I thank them all for a great experience!
    Bob Grimm
    3-1-07

    Comment by Bob Grimm — March 1, 2007 @ 5:47 pm

  9. Hey Joe!

    I should make my peace with you after all these years! You do deserve to be in the R&R Hall of fame; you paid your dues!

    Good luck to you!

    Bob Grimm

    Comment by Bob Grimm — March 7, 2007 @ 9:33 am

  10. Prior to my joining the Four Seasons, I saw Bob Grimm perform with Frankie and the crew. Bob was wearing a similar outfit as the other Seasons and was in the front line-up. So far as I’m concerned, this outstanding guitarist was certainly a ‘Season’ for so brief a period. He stood tall ( a rather imposing figure), and had super-long hair that flowed with his every move. In my opinion, as a musician and performer, he (perhaps unknowingly) ‘stole the show’. I recall meeting him in Baltimore soon after his departing the Seasons. We shared some backstage nightclub chit-chat and played a few licks on the guitar. I left the venue impressed with his superb guitar skills, his intellect and his wonderful demeanor.
    During my tenure with the Seasons,I recall Bob Gaudio commenting upon Bob Grimm’s superb musicianship. I believe that Bob Gaudio would have preferred to retain Bob Grimm…..for many reasons. I do not know why Bob Grimm relinquished his position with the Seasons. I’d venture a guess that, as a creative guitar-slinging artist, he knew he had much more to offer than emulating those players who recorded for the Seasons.

    Comment by DEMETRI CALLAS — March 11, 2007 @ 2:36 am

  11. I want everyone to know that Demetri Callas is an excellent guitarist and I was his fan in those days! Hey Demetri, call me; I might even have some gigs for us old Dudes!!

    I’m easy to find!!

    Comment by Bob Grimm — April 9, 2007 @ 8:59 pm

  12. I have known Demetri Callas since he played in the Little Rascals,The Bad Boys, and Flavor.We both worked in separate groups for NAPEG owner, Dick Obitts.For me Demetri “Penny” is the best unknown guitar player ever to pick up an instrument. He got me started in the business although I’m a keyboard player. I think he is the most intelligent player I have ever met. He knew when to steal the show and wen to provide superb backup. His vocals were also top notch. I still have his records dating back to BLACK OLIVES and then everything he did with Flavor. Demetri shoot me an EMail.Did he waste his time with the 4 Seasons. Probably, but I guess enjoyed the prestige.

    Dick Martin
    Hagerstoen, MD

    Comment by dick martin — July 22, 2007 @ 1:10 pm

  13. Demetri…my Email site is [email protected]. And if I wouldn’t have “fat fingered ” my address it. would have been Hagerstown, MD. Just one more coment on the 4 Seasons…the more I think of it Demetri wasted his talents. He was much better in a trio with Gary St Clair and Danny Conway.

    Dick Martin
    [email protected]

    Comment by dick martin — July 22, 2007 @ 1:33 pm

  14. Hey Demetri. It’s your old keyboard player from the ’80′s
    Give me a shout sometime.

    Jamie Thomas
    [email protected]

    Comment by jJamie Thomas — March 9, 2008 @ 9:46 pm

  15. Now I’m really going to stretch here, but being from Winchester VA, I always had the distinct impression that Penny Callas was from the Berryville VA area. I do know that he was revered in the local community of musicians. My brother had The Kingsmen in Winchester (1966) and their drummer was named Paul Wilson who had played with The Four Seasons. I’m not sure either about The Little Rascals. When they were booked in Winchester, I remember my brother saying that The Young Rascals were formerly called The Little Rascals but because of conflicts with the TV show that they had to change their name. Demetri also came back to Winchester in the 1980′s and played at a club on Valley Ave.

    Comment by Giles Brent — February 1, 2011 @ 11:36 pm

  16. Demetri Callas had a Billboard Hot 100 appearance with Flavor, called “Sally Had A Party”. If you don’t remember, the group had a sound similar to still another Bob Crewe influenced group, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. “Sally Had A Party” reached #95, and got considerable airplay in local markets, mainly in the Eastern half of the US, though it hit #3 on KOOK Billings, Montana, according to ARSA Charts.

    Comment by Ted Hammond — February 2, 2011 @ 6:30 pm

  17. I Demetri playing for Bud Jordan in Jane Lew. West Virgina. Man he always packed the house. Always has been one of my favorite guitarist and performers. Will never forget that one night he actually changed necks on a Telecaster during a break!. I got to know Dee pretty good. Was always willing to share a riff or two. In spite of his higher level of talent he demostrated,he was alway humble to his fans!.

    Comment by Don Eidman — September 23, 2014 @ 12:04 am

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