The Four Seasons (group)

"Jersey Boys," a musical play based on the lives of The Four Seasons, is running at the La Jolla (California) Playhouse through January 2, 2005 and is headed for Broadway. He was 61. The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Terry Knight (Richard Terrance Knapp) was murdered in Killeen, Texas on November 1, 2004. The partnership continues to this day. Grand Funk Railroad reunited again in 1997 to record a benefit album called Bosnia. The band name is also the name of a legal partnership, The 4 Seasons Partnership, that Valli and Gaudio entered into at the start of their careers, agreeing to split all the proceeds from their musical efforts 50-50. After disbanding a second time, Farner launched a solo career as a Christian recording artist, while Brewer and Frost joined Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band.

The band would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid 1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God", and "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)". The band reunited in 1981 with the addition of Dennis Bellinger and released two failed albums. By the end of the decade, however, the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. Farner began a solo career, while the rest of the band became Flint after adding Billy Ellworthy. In the mid 1960s, the British Invasion slowed down their career somewhat, but the Four Seasons released several more big hits in 1964, such as "Dawn", "Rag Doll", "Big Man in Town", "Ronnie" and "Save It for Me". After finishing Good Singin', Good Playin' (1976) with producer Frank Zappa, Grand Funk Railroad disbanded. The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Candy Girl". After a pop-style album, All the Girls in the World Beware!!!, and a revert to "Grand Funk Railroad", the band's fortunes were at an end.

After many more personnel changes, the band still tours today, but Valli is the only original member left. This was followed by two huge hit singles, "We're an American Band" (off We're an American Band) and "The Locomotion" (written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin for Little Eva). Massi left the band in 1965 and was briefly replaced by arranger Charles Calello before Joe Long became a mainstay on bass for the next 10 years. After recruiting Craig Frost (keyboards), Grand Funk Railroad released Phoenix in 1972, then shorted their name to Grand Funk. Lead singer Frankie Valli began recording in 1953, but the group (Valli, Bob Gaudio on keyboards, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar, and Nick Massi on bass), which formed in 1960, didn't release their first hit until 1962, with "Sherry", produced by Bob Crewe. In 1972, Grand Funk Railroad fired Knight, who sued for breach of contract, resulting in a protracted legal battle. The Four Seasons are an American pop and doo wop group, distinct from many similar groups of the 1950s and 60s in their traditional Italian-American sound. Knight launched an intense advertising campaign to promote Closer to Home, a multi-platinum, smash hit album that was slammed by virtually all music critics.

December 1963 (Oh What a Night). Even with critical pans and lack of radio airplay (at first), the group's first eight albums, released in three years, were successful. Who Loves You. That record still stands today. Swearin' To God (Frankie Valli). A year later, they went on to break The Beatles' record at Shea Stadium, selling out in just 71 hours. My Eyes Adored You (Frankie Valli). In that same year they had a hit single "Closer To Home," a song that was closer in style to the old Terry Knight & The Pack than it was to GFR.

Will You Love Me Tomorrow (originally by The Shirelles). In 1970 they had sold more albums than any other American band. C'mon Marianne. After a free performance at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival, the band was signed by Capitol Records. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli). Terry Knight soon became their manager and named the band after the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, a famous rail line in Michigan. Beggin'. Mark Farner (vocals, guitar) and Don Brewer (drums), former members of a local band together, Terry Knight & the Pack, recruited Mel Schacher (bass) from ? & the Mysterians.

Tell It To The Rain. In spite of near-constant critical denigration (Rolling Stone once called them the world's worst rock band), Grand Funk Railroad managed to keep a career going for several years based on constant touring, a loud, simple take on the blues-rock power trio, and strong working class appeal and managed to reach the top of the charts on several occasions. I've Got You Under My Skin. They are sometimes considered as the first great American Hard Rock outfit and the original "American Band", due to their hit song "We're an American Band". Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me). Grand Funk Railroad was an American Rock and Roll band in the 1970s, originally from Flint, Michigan. Working My Way Back To You. Official Site (http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/).

Don't Think Twice (It's Allright) (The Wonder Who?). Trunk of Funk - (2001). Let's Hang On. Classic Masters - (2002). Girl Come Running. Very Best Grand Funk Railroad Album Ever - (2001). Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye). Rock Champions - (2001).

Big Man In Town. Super Best - (1999). Save It For Me. Thirty Years of Funk : 1969 - 1999 - (1999). Rag Doll. Collectors - (1993). Alone (originally by the Shepherd Sisters). Heavy Hitters - (1992).

Ronnie. Capitol Collectors Series - (1991). Stay (originally by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs). The Best of Grand Funk - (1990). Dawn (Go Away). Hits - (1977). Marlena. Grand Funk Hits - (1976).

Candy Girl. Mark, Don and Mel : 1969 - 71 - (1972). Walk Like A Man. Grand Funk / Live Album - (1970). Big Girls Don't Cry. Thirty Years of Funk : 1969 - 1999 - (1999). Sherry. Bosnia - (October 1997).

1996 Four Seasons with Frankie Valli. Caught in the Act - (August 1975). 1995 Who Loves You. Live Album - (November 1970). 1995 Oh What a Night. What's Funk? - (January 1983). 1994 Sing for You. Grand Funk Lives - (July 1981).

1994 Sherry/Big Girls Don't Cry. Good Singin', Good Playin' - (August 1976). 1993 Dance Album. Born To Die - (January 1976). 1993 The Four Seasons Dance Album. All the Girls in the World Beware!!! - (December 1974). 1992 Hope & Glory. Shinin' On - (March 1974).

2. We're An American Band - (July 1973). 1990 Live, Vol. Phoenix - (September 1972). 1. E Pluribus Funk - (November 1971). 1990 Live, Vol. Survival - (April 1971).

1966 Live on Stage. 1965 The 4 Seasons Entertain You. 1964 Girls, Girls, Girls - We Love Girls. The Four Seasons.

1964 The Beatles Vs. 1964 Rag Doll. 1964 Dawn (Go Away) and 11 Other Great Songs. 1964 Born to Wander.