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Nick Curtis's rating
, Oh what a night this could be
By
Nick Curtis
29 Feb 2008
Frankie Valli, 74, and Bob Gaudio, 66, respectively the voice and the songwriter of the Four Seasons, creators of such pop classics as Sherry, Can't Take My Eyes Off You and Oh What a Night, have survived dodgy record companies, mob attention, "a lot of drinking" and divorce, and have come out with their partnership, founded on a handshake nearly 40 years ago, intact.
Their story is told in Jersey Boys, the hit Broadway musical that won over audiences and critics with its songs and its spunky portrait of four working-class boys who dragged themselves out of the ghetto. It begins previewing in the West End tonight.
Frankie was born Francis Castelluccio on 3 May 1934, in the impoverished public housing projects of New Jersey.
He wanted to be a singer from the age of six, after seeing Sinatra, but almost fell into organised crime. "I was doing breaking and entering, attempted burglaries," he tells me. "Then I got arrested, and when my parents came and got me, they didn't recognise me, because I had been beaten so badly by the police. It was the first time I had seen my father cry. I made up my mind I had to do something with my life."
Frankie joined up in 1952 with two other small-time neighbourhood wiseguys, Nick Massi and Tommy De Vito, to form the Variety Trio.
It wasn't until 1958 that a would-be guitarist called Joe Pesci (later an Oscar-winning actor) introduced them to Gaudio. "Bob played us a couple of tunes and I thought, this man is gonna be a great songwriter," says Frankie. "And I thought, whaddya mean 'gonna be?'" quips Bob.
Their first hit, tailored to Frankie's falsetto, was Sherry, and there were many more until the original foursome split in the late 1960s, apparently due to Tommy amassing gambling debts with some threatening people.
"We ended up buying Tommy out [of the Four Seasons], which was a sad thing," says Bob. "He never really got away from his roots, and it seems he got even more involved after we became successful," adds Frankie, darkly.
Tommy's history is not ignored in Jersey Boys; he was interviewed along with his two surviving bandmates (Massi died of cancer in 2000) by the show's creators Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman.
The show premiered in 2004 and is still coining it on Broadway four years on. Not that Frankie and Bob need the money: apart from owning their back catalogue, Frankie still performs and Bob still writes and they still share their earnings. "Jersey Boys has been the icing on the cake," says Frankie. "A lot of icing," says Bob. "Very sweet."
• Jersey Boys previews from tonight at the Prince Edward Theatre (0844 482 5151, www.jerseyboyslondon.com).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (11)
Fantastic. I was only vaguely aware of the Four Seasons ie Sherry.
This blew my mind, great music, marvellous performances. I am going again.
The Four Seasons place in American music is well deserved and I disagree with Nicholas de Jongh of the London Standard who wonders whether the show will be appreciated by a UK audience - go hear the cheers sir!
- Eva Davies, Barnet, UK, 23/04/2008 09:47
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As a life-long Seasons' fan I was blown away by the show.I learned things about the group that amazed me, and enjoyed classics I never thought I would hear performed live again. Result? I'm going to see the show again-and I can hardly wait! If you're a Seasons fan you MUST go; even if you're not,you'll enjoy Jersey Boys for what it is-an amazing story accompanied by quality music.
- Jules Saney, Walsall,England, 21/04/2008 01:27
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Saw the show last night, 26th March, absolutely fantastic. The cast and staging superb. Couldn't get tickets in New York but this was well worth the wait. Shall tell everyone to see it. Oh, and its the first time I've seen a standing ovation in the middle of a show. Go and see it!
- Barbara Ott, Petersfield, England, 27/03/2008 18:53
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Loved every minute of it. Could have watched it all over again immediately.
- Tricia Bryan, London, England, 25/03/2008 11:08
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Thoroughly enjoyed the performance on Monday night. Its a great night out. Long may it last.
- Sam, Harrow, 19/03/2008 09:29
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Saw the show on 14 March. A really fabulous evening which a full theatre thoroughly enjoyed. The leading cast members were all excellent, the music superb and the time raced by.
Cannot wait to see it again in May (tickets already booked)
- Jim Summerbell, Gainsboro' , Lincs UK, 17/03/2008 15:12
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Saw Jersey Boys on 1st March with an old school friend who had seen Four Seasons with me some 30 years ago at the London Palladium. The whole cast is superb especially Ryan (Frankie) and Stepen(Bob). The show takes you through every emotion from tears to laughter and the music is as fresh as ever. Even though I am in Scotland I plan to see it again and again. Since first seeing it in NY last May I have told everyone to get tickets and no one is disappointed. Hope we get London Cast Recording I'm wearing the Broadway one out
- Rita Peacock, Stonehaven Scotland, 16/03/2008 13:02
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Went to the performance on the 14th March. Was not sure what to expect but was totally entertained for the whole performance.
Credit to all those involved. The voices of all the cast were excellent and transported us back to our youth in the 60s.
Fantastic!
- Richard Hurley, Hassocks, England, 15/03/2008 11:42
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We saw it on Friday and have to say it is one of the best things I have ever seen. The music and singing is amazing and, having been a long time Four Seasons fan, I am just so glad that they're finally getting some proper recognition!
- Alison Petrie, Cheshunt, Herts, 04/03/2008 14:37
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Came down to London just to see the Jersey Boys on Friday 29th Feb.- and it was well worth the journey!
The show was fantastic, the cast superb, the singing magnificent - everything about it lived up to my expectations!
I want to see it again!
Can totally recommend it
- Maureen, Glasgow, Scotland, 04/03/2008 14:08
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We were at the Jersey Boys preview on Thursday 29th February and Oh what a night we had! It was absolutely superb, enjoyed every minute. Ryan Molloy as Frankie was amazing. The whole cast were fantastic. To hear the music "live" again was awesome, we can't stop singing the songs. A fitting tribute to the brilliant Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Go and see this show...book now...you'll love it.
- Olwen, Scotland, 04/03/2008 00:11
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