Comments on: Today in Frankie Valli/4 Seasons History

By: Ted Hammond

Ted Hammond — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:27:17 +0000

Howard, have you seen the movie “Disturbia”? When I have seen it on cable, I think of that era you described in 1975 when the main character plays “Lovin’ You” loudly on his stereo to disrupt his love interest’s party next door.

I don’t know if we covered this before, but “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” reached #1 on Cash Box TWICE. It dropped down and went back up the following week to #1. So besides being #1 on many LOCAL station charts, it was #1 on Cash Box. “Let’s Hang On” also reached #1 on Cash Box, BTW.

By: Howard Tucker

Howard Tucker — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:01:30 +0000

David, you continue to astound me with your vast knowledge and insight; thank you. It’s indeed a small world; back in 1981, during a cruise on the Rhine River, I spoke with a fellow American travler at length about Kenny Nolan. He had done a thesis or term paper focusing on the genesis of “I Like Dreamin’” and how it became a hit.

As much as “My Eyes Adored You” has meant to me over the years, I never knew or didn’t recall until recently that Kenny Nolan had co-written it, and wouldn’t have had the slightest inkling it started as “Blue Eyes in Georgia”. More amazingly, I just “googled” Kenny Nolan and discovered he also co-wrote LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade”, which was popular at the same time as “Eyes”.

By: David Cace

David Cace — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 23:01:40 +0000

Some great and moving comments by all.

I remember seeing Frankie in concert in late 73 or early 74 and he would sing “My Eyes Adored You” without any fanfare or introduction and I would say that’s a nice song with a catchy melody. It sought of grew on you and eventually it grew on everyone and became a number one song. “My Eyes Adored You” is truly Frankie’s come back song, and a testament to staying with what you believe in.

The only other historical note I can add is from an interview given by co-writer Kenny Nolan who said he dreamt about sitting on a train and singing in the “Me Eyes Adored You” melody “Blue Eyes in Georgia…They’re the only eyes I ever loved, my eyes in Georgia.” The next day when he was putting a demo of the song on cassette “Blue Eyes in Georgia” became “My Eyes Adored You.”

A few years later, Kenny Nolan recorded a song by himself called “I Like Dreamin’” and had a big hit with it with basically the same melody.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:09:08 +0000

Howard, thank you for sharing that memory with us – you made me cry. You are a truly gifted writer. I can’t wait for you to have your own blog so I can read you every day.

By: Howard Tucker

Howard Tucker — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:58:49 +0000

Pamela,

Thanks for the kind words. I just re-read your Fantastic Fan interview, and it’s amazing how much we have in common. We both grew up in NJ (I in Clifton), and are both NYC residents now. My very first job was as an usher in the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ, where you saw the 4 Seasons in concert. (Unlike John Lloyd, however, I never graduated to the other side of the stage!)

Re your comment on seeing the show many times, I just spoke with my cousin who, like your sister, lives just outside of Washington, D.C. Told her I’d love to take her, and she accepted, but wondered why someone would want to see the same show “more than one or two times.” You hit upon the satisfaction we get from going with various people who’ve been important to us at different times in our lives, and enjoying their satisfaction at seeing the show for the first time!! Thanks again, Pamela.

Howard