Other Burning Questions About Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

I've sorted out the rest of your questions as best I could. I may end up eventually breaking this up into separate documents, depending on how big it gets. :)

Lyrics and Sheet Music

The correct lyrics from My Eyes Adored You, which follow the line:
Walkin' home every day...
Found Over Bonnicut bridge and bay
Found 2 over Barnegat Bridge and Bay, Barnegat being a town on the Jersey shore, with a bridge going over the bay, Bob Gaudio may have spent his summers there
Found 3 over barnacle, bridge and bay.
Found 4 Bonnicut bridge and bay (taken from sheet music).
Found 5 Barnegat Bridge and Bay (a little birdie told me Bob preferred Wildwood NJ).
Need a URL for the lyrics to Wall Street Village Day and Idaho.
Found - The lyrics for all the songs in Geniune Imitation Life Gazette are inside the album, in this insert is an advertisement for a vacation in Idaho, this is where the lyrics to Idaho are. (Gomez Addams?!)
Need a URL for the lyrics to Silver Star.
Found There is a web site with many top 40 lyrics, here is the main index. Ed note: This link is no longer working. Anyone know of a good lyrics site without a kazillion popups? Please let me know. Thanks...
Need a URL for the lyrics to Beggar's Parade (the B side to Opus 17).
Found here, as submitted via email from a very generous contributor.
Request - Need lyrics to Marlena, for use at a young lady's wedding, her dad named her after this song! Ed note: Check the lyrics site mentioned elsewhere on this page.
Also need lyrics to I've Got You Under My Skin.
Found This is a popular Gershwin tune, first recorded by Frank Sinatra, try a web search for them and you should find the lyrics.
Found As listed on all Four Season's CDs, it was written by Cole Porter (see here). Bob Gaudio rearranged it for the Four Seasons after seeing Frank Sinatra perform it (see here).
Sheet music for the Four Seasons' version of Opus 17 (as opposed to Beethoven's version), needed for piano student.
Found - A visitor has this sheet music, from a Seasons song book, published in 1967.
Rag Doll lyrics - The lyrics site linked to from this page says "Though I love her so, I can't let her GO", both a visitor and myself think it should be "Though I love her so, I can't let her KNOW". Opinions?
Found - According to the musical word book, it's I can't let her go.
Found 2 - Confirmed to be KNOW by another visitor, who also points out it makes perfect sense in the context of the song lyrics. A second visitor confirms this, and that it was inspired by a poor four year old girl from New Jersey, who was dressed in rags. This came out in an early 1970's radio interview. (Ed note: I've heard this as well).
Looking for the lyrics to I'm No Artist, used as a wedding song in 1976.
Found - Could this be In My Eyes from the Closeup album?
Request - If you only believe, like I do believe... - sound familiar to anyone? Is it the Seasons or someone who sounds like them?

Performances

During an Ed Sullivan Show performance, did the Four Seasons ever perform a Beatles song? Did they ever cover one?
Found They covered A Day in the Life and Elanor Rigby, on All This and World War II.
Found 2 They covered We Can Work It Out and A Day in the Life on All This and World War 2, containing covers of Beatles songs by artists such as Elton John, Status Quo, etc.
Found 3 They covered We Can Work It Out and A Day in the Life on All This and World War II, a UK compilation release.
Found 4 Confirmed We Can Work It Out and A Day in the Life on All This and World War II, but... Elanor Rigby was covered by Frankie on his 1968 solo album Timeless.
Need a URL for the lyrics to Save It For Me. Ed note: Check the lyrics site mentioned elsewhere on this page.
Request - Who among Gaudio, DeVito, Massi performed at the Atlantic City concert in 1992, released on DVD?
Request - A source for VHS video of the Four Seasons performances, circa the 1960's - on Mike Douglas (1963-1967), the variety show hosted by Rudy Vallee, On Broadway Tonight, Ed Sullivan, Red Skelton (1967).
Request - Does anyone know if there is a Master List of all concerts performed over the years?

Songs and Recordings

Info needed about Rag Doll - What was the recording date? Was it influenced at all by Don't Worry Baby?
Found Don't believe so. Opinion offered was that the Four Seasons were underrated while the Beach Boys were overrated. Ed note: I admire both, but tend to agree, and also feel Jan and Dean were underrated. Ed note 2: A few others have written and agree about Jan and Dean, acknowledged that they did receive assistance from Brian Wilson on occassion, another feels the Beach Boys were underrated, citing Pet Sounds. Ed final note: Okay, before this gets out of hand, that's it for published conversation about Beach Boys vs Four Seasons vs Jan and Dean - all excellent performers! :)
Found 2 May have been inspired by squeegee girl in New York City who came out to wash Bob Gaudio's car while he was stopped at a traffic light.
Found 3 Recorded May-June 1964
Found 4 A visitor noted the opening drum beats of Rag Doll were clearly influenced by the Ronette's Be My Baby released the previous year by Phil Spector.
Info needed about Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Was Frankie one of the writers? Was it a cover?
Found It was not a cover and Frankie did not help write it.
Found 2 Written by Bob Gaudio, was not a cover, but many others covered it, such as Andy Williams.
Found 3 Frankie did not write it. Yes, it is a cover of a song Frank Sinatra did a long time ago, Frankie mentions that in his shows.
Found 4 Written by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, released 1967. Not a cover of a Sinatra song, Frankie gives credit to his friend and partner Bob Gaudio for writing it.
Found 5 Written by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, check any CD. First recorded in Sept 1966, never recorded in the studio by Sinatra (though he may have performed it live), was also a big hit by Andy Williams in the UK in 1968.
Does there exist a recording, or selection of recordings, that includes all 45 rpm releases? A visitor to this site used to own all of them, and someone walked off with them.
Found Apparently there was a bootleg copy of such a collection floating around years ago (on tape), I understand owners played their copies til they resembed fishnet. :(
Found - Ace Records in the UK released Edizion D'Oro (Gold Edition) on CD, but 3 titles were dropped so to fit on a single CD. The dropped titles can be found on other Ace releases.
Which song was on the flip side of the single Ronnie, possibly Born to...? Ed note: I should know this one, it was the single that made me fall in love with the Four Seasons and I played in incessantly! A link to an online discography would also be appreciated.
Found It's titled Born to Wander
Found 2There was an album of the same name with other songs including New Town.
Found 3 - Not online, but a full discography was published by Goldmine magazine (2002).
Request - Looking for full discography, having trouble finding info after 1971 on warner Bros, Mowest and Private Stock (already has Vee Jay and Philips singles and LPs).
Found - Goldmine record guides are very complete and come highly recommended.
Any info as to whether Frankie's solo work on Private Stock or Warner Curb will ever be released on CD?
Found 1 - Australian release double CD Frankie Valli Solo - Timeless Frankie Valli by Ace Records; Canadian release Frankie Valli Greatest Hits on Curb (submitted by a fan with a large collection, and who's seen them 42 times in 34 years!).
Peanuts was apparently written by Little Joe Cook, but was originally credited to a different songwriter. Anyone know who that was?
Found - A visitor has the original VeeJay 45 and it credits Cook as writer.
Okay, who sang Lightning's Striking Again? A visitor asked if it was the Four Seasons, but we know that's not the case, right? At least not the top 40 version that was played so often.
Found - It seems everyone else in the world remembered his name except me - Lou Christie (or is it Christy?).
Found 2 - Lightning Strikes was by Lou Christie, released in 1966 on MGM Records. He is a Pittsburgh native and still peforms there.
Regarding Big Girls Don't Cry - About 26 seconds in, a visitor says one of the background singers sound like they made a mistake, and instead of saying who says they dont' cry, instead says who says that's a lie and then tries to recover. Anyone else notice this?
Confirmed - Another visitor, though not a big Seasons fan, listened to the recording, and says that yes, the background singer does make that error.
Request - Is the album Streetfighter available on CD?
Request - Hey Baby - Does anyone have any concrete info on the origins or history? There was a Valli (S. Duberry) version and a Bruce Channel version, possibly different versions playing in North America vs in Europe. A legal battle may have ensued.
Request - Were the Seasons the first group to release Silence is Golden?
Found! - Probably, since it was written by Bob and Bob (Gaudio and Crew). It was re-released by the Tremolos in 1967. This visitor feels the best Seasons' version is the live one. It can be found on the 1992 Concert tape or DVD.
New Found 2! - It was on the first Phillips album, Born to Wander PHM200-129, in 1963 or 1964.
Interesting Question! - Does anyone remember a single from 1980 called Fancy Dancer?
New Request! - The Beach Boys satirized the Four Seasons in Surfers Rule on the Surfer Girl album. In which song, and on which album, did the Four Seasons return the favour?
New Request! - Does anyone know of an old Four Seaons song called Ladybug? A visitor's husband sings it to their granddaughter and he swears it's an old Seasons tune.

When?

What year was Who Loves You playing on Top 40 radio?
Found It was number 35 on WABC's (New York) Top 100 for 1975.
Found 2 - It broke into the Billboard Top 40 on 20 September 1975 and reached its peak at number 3.
A visitor is looking for the original release dates for the following:
- Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me) - 1966
- Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? - 1968
- Girl Come Running - 1965
- Alone - 1964 Vee Jay single
- Watch the Flowers Grow - 1967
- Let's Hang On - 1965
- Fallen Angel - 1976
- Tell It to the Rain - 1966
- C'mon Marianne - 1967
- Beggin' - 1967
Found - See dates above, from Goldmine Standard Catalog of American Records 1950-1975 by Tim Neely. These are the release dates for the singles, album inclusion dates may vary.

Who?

Swearin' to God (needs name and info on female soloist)
Found Her name is Patti Austin.
Opus 17 - Don't You Worry 'bout Me (needs name and info on who played baritone sax solo)
Found - Maybe A guess - Richard "Duke" Natoli. or Warren Hamm (who played keyboards, flute, sax, harmonica in 1992-1996, 1998)
Request - Who was the blonde-haired blue-eyed female vocalist who remade Can't Take My Eyes Off You with Frankie (fairly recently). She is also in a beer ad which features the song.
Request - Who played the harmonica on My Eyes Adored You (or does anyone know of a good source for session tracking info?)?
Request - A visitor from Germany would like to know if Keith Hubacher plays / played bass for Frankie Valli and / or the Four Seasons? If not, is there another Frankie Valli out there somewhere he may play for?

Miscellaneous

Request - Is / was there a picture cover sleeve for Big Girls Don't Cry?
Request - Is Frankie related to Federico Castelluccio (Fior) of The Sopranos? Ed note: I don't know, but Big Girls Don't Cry was heard on one of the second season episodes (no pun intended!).
Request - Billy Joel - A visitor has heard that Billy was inspired by Frankie and the Four to write I Love You Just the Way You Are (inspired by this phrase in the lyrics of Rag Doll). I heard it was the song Uptown Girl that was inpsired by them. Can anyone confirm either of these rumours?
Found - Uptown Girl was a tribute to the Four Seasons.
Found 2 - For the Longest Time was dedicated to the Four Seasons.
Request - How is Frankie's health these days? He apparently made a comment at a Red Bank concert earlier this year (Feb 15 2003) about "getting too old for this" that did not appear to be made in jest.
Found - A visitor saw him in Jan 2004 and said they felt appearnce wise, he seemed to have aged ten years in the past four (the last time they saw him). He seemed somewhat reserved and not very animated, but he still hit the high notes as he belted them out. :)
Apparently, Frankie claimed in a Trenton NJ concert on 06 March 2004 that he was 37 years old. How old is he?
Found - He was born in 1937, in either May or December (he was 19 when he released an album with The Four Lovers in 1956).
Request - Does anyone know of a link to a site where you can hear Beethoven's Opus 17? Is Don't You Worry 'Bout Me truly a derivative?
Does anyone have any info re a French (possibly rap?) version of Oh What a Night / December 1963? A visitor heard it in Paris. All people present seemed to know it well. Anyone know who the performer would be?
Found - This is probably Ces Soir�es-l� by Yannick, it can apparently be found easily out there on the net.
Found 2 - Confirmed by another visitor that this would be the cover by Yannick.

Thanks!

If you know the answers to any of the burning questions on this site, please let me know (be sure to replace the AT). Answers will be posted right here when received. Your questions are welcome too, of course!
Information on concert dates, television or other public appearances, etc is also always welcome and much appreciated.
There are too many helpful souls to list separately, but you know who you are - keep those answers coming - even if they are guesses. Thanks a bunch!

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