Comments on: Forty Years Ago Today, December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night) by The Four Seasons Topped the Billboard Hot 100! @frankievalli #OWAN40

By: Ted

Ted — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 12:42:58 +0000

Today is another Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Anniversary. Forty-one years ago, on March 22, 1975, “My Eyes Adored You” by Frankie Valli (as listed on the label, but both old and new Four Seasons were on the recording) reached #1 on the Hot 100.

By: Ted

Ted — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 16:06:38 +0000

I saw The Hit Men a couple of weeks ago at The Macomb Center. They are great! Lee Shapiro and Gerry Polci were there. Don Ciccone has left The Hit Men. Gerry Polci plays the drums like Bob Gaudio plays the piano!

Jimmy Ryan, who was in The Critters with Don Ciccone, was there. He played and conducted for Carly Simon for 21 years, after working together in a music store. He played the famous guitar solo break in “You’re So Vain”. They had interesting stories to tell. “Electric Stories”, perhaps?

Don Ciccone had been drafted and didn’t sing on “Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me”, which reached #39 in 1967. Jimmy Ryan wrote the song and performed on it, though, the last Top 40 song for The Critters. It has an almost eerie foreshadowing vocal chorus similarity to “Who Loves You” seven years later. Great song. Give it a listen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=reZzptq9IlM

They didn’t sing it at the concert, but mentioned it. Of course, they played “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)”.

By: Audrey Rockman

Audrey Rockman — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 04:38:29 +0000

Thanks to your posting here, I got interested and learned that Lee Shapiro and Gerry Polci, in this clip are performing these days as part of ‘The Hit Men’. Also in the clip: John Paiva moved to Munich and Don Ciccone has had a solid musical career. (Do I have those names right, Seasons’ fans?)

Since Frankie has spoken about his very serious ear/ hearing problem beginning in late 1960s that was not successfully treated till 10 years later, I suspect the head phone held up to his ear might be connected to that. It’s been said that he needed the volume during this time, at a level that would be unmanageable for the rest of us.

By: George

George — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 15:45:52 +0000

Wow!!!! Seems like only yesterday for me when that song topped the charts. I remember playing the hell out that album as it was and still is one of my favorites. I would play that album for family members and recalled some of them saying that sure doesn’t sound like the 4 seasons due to them being about 10 years older then me. I was in Jr. high at the time.

By: Maureen Shragie

Maureen Shragie — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 12:20:50 +0000

What a Night!! What a great song!!!!!! Yes…could be my favourite song of all time!! Wish Jersey Boys was playing in Southern Ontario!! I need a fix!! Come back soon!!!!!!!