Namesakes #78: The Four Seasons

Not a lot of people know this, but when Neil Finn wrote the song Four Seasons In One Day, he was talking about the time he was visited by four different bands called the Four Seasons in one 24 hour period. I know, the title should have been Four Four Seasons In One Day, but that didn't scan as well.

I'll leave it up to you to decide which band weren't invited to Neil's gaff...

THE FOUR SEASONS #1

We start today in 1959, Pittsburgh... though this one is anything but the pits. A infectiously joyful little doo-wop story from the quartet of Bill Stammer (who doesn't stammer once), Ched Mertz, Dan McGinnis and Don Fanzo. It might be the best thing you hear today.

Apart from the next lot, obviously.

THE FOUR SEASONS #2

One year later, The Four Seasons everybody knows (surely!) formed from the ashes of a band called The Four Lovers. When they decided to change their name, they stole Four Seasons from a local bowling alley in New Jersey, having just failed an audition there. 

Lead singer Frankie Valli had been knocking around the music studios since 1953, when he recorded his debut solo single, My Mother's Eyes. The other key players were producer Bob Crewe and keyboardist Bob Gaudio, who together wrote the majority of the bands biggest hits, including Sherry and December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) and Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Even when the hits were promoted as Frankie Valli solo recordings, these guys were usually involved. Gaudio retired from performing in 1975 but continued to write songs for Valli (and others) for the rest of his career. Bob and Bob also wrote one of the greatest pop songs ever, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, originally recorded by Frankie & co. 

At 89, Valli is the only original Four Season still performing - currently on an extended farewell tour called Last Encores - though he hasn't ruled out the occasional comeback once that tour is done.

The Four Seasons were responsible for many, many wonderful records, but I still think this is their finest hour...

THE FOUR SEASONS #3

Or, to give them their full name, Robert Lloyd & The New Four Seasons. I might well have skipped this bunch for that reason... had their song not been so wonderful. Also, if I'm allowing Frankie Valli &..., I can't discriminate.

Robert Lloyd was the lead singer of two punk bands - The Prefects and The Nightingales - both of whom could well feature here at a later date. This is what Bob was up to in the late 80s.

The line-up for this particular Four Seasons also one Cara Tivey, who went to the top of the charts in 1988 with some bloke called Bragg.

FOUR SEASONS #4

And now, how about some Greek Power Metal from 1999? 

You know you want to...

THE FOUR SEASONS #5

"You know what your blog really needs, Rol? More Ukrainian Polka!" said no-one ever (though I wouldn't put it past George). 

Here's some Ukrainian Polka from a record that was released in Canada, 23 years ago. Or 2001 as Arthur C. Clarke used to call it.

Which of the Four Seasons is your favourite?