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Happy 75th birthday, Bob Gaudio, of the Royal Teens and the Four Seasons
Last edited Fri Nov 17, 2017, 04:52 PM - Edit history (2)
http://www.thisdayinmusic.com/1942, Born on this day, Bob Gaudio, The Royal Teens, (1958 US No.3 single 'Short Shorts). The Four Seasons, (1976 UK & US No.1 single 'December 1963, Oh What A Night').
Robert John "Bob" Gaudio (born November 17, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer, and the keyboardist/backing vocalist for The Four Seasons.
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Early career
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He rose to musical fame at the age of 15 as a member of the Royal Teens when he co-wrote the hit "Short Shorts".[2] In 1958, while he and the group were promoting the single, they met Frankie Valli and his group the Four Lovers as they prepared to perform on a local television program. Wearying of touring, he left the Royal Teens soon afterward, and the rest of the group dissolved shortly afterwards.
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The Four Seasons
In 1960, after a failed audition at a bowling establishment in Union Township, songwriter/keyboardist Gaudio shook hands with lead singer Valli and formed the Four Seasons Partnership, and Gaudio, Valli, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi became The Four Seasons.
Gaudio wrote the Seasons' first #1 hit, "Sherry", 15 minutes before a group rehearsal in 1962. With producer Bob Crewe often assisting with lyrics, Gaudio wrote a string of subsequent hits for the Seasons, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man", "Dawn (Go Away)", "Ronnie", "Rag Doll", "Save It for Me", "Big Man in Town", "Bye Bye Baby", "Girl Come Running", "Beggin'", and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (the first big success under Valli's name as a solo performer). Crewe/Gaudio compositions also became major hits for other artists, including the Tremeloes ("Silence Is Golden", originally the B-side of the Four Seasons' "Rag Doll" ), The Osmonds ("The Proud One", originally recorded as a Valli solo single) and the Walker Brothers ("The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore", another Valli single).
"Rag Doll" is regarded by some as the greatest achievement of the Four Seasons. Gaudio was on the way to a recording session and his car was stopped at a long traffic light in Hell's Kitchen. Often kids would wash the car windows during the long waits and ask for some change. In Gaudio's case, a scruffy little girl washed his window. When Gaudio went to give her change, all he had was a $10 bill. After a moment's hesitation, he gave her the bill because he had to give her something. The astonished look on her face stayed with him and inspired the subsequent song.
....
Early career
....
He rose to musical fame at the age of 15 as a member of the Royal Teens when he co-wrote the hit "Short Shorts".[2] In 1958, while he and the group were promoting the single, they met Frankie Valli and his group the Four Lovers as they prepared to perform on a local television program. Wearying of touring, he left the Royal Teens soon afterward, and the rest of the group dissolved shortly afterwards.
....
The Four Seasons
In 1960, after a failed audition at a bowling establishment in Union Township, songwriter/keyboardist Gaudio shook hands with lead singer Valli and formed the Four Seasons Partnership, and Gaudio, Valli, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi became The Four Seasons.
Gaudio wrote the Seasons' first #1 hit, "Sherry", 15 minutes before a group rehearsal in 1962. With producer Bob Crewe often assisting with lyrics, Gaudio wrote a string of subsequent hits for the Seasons, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man", "Dawn (Go Away)", "Ronnie", "Rag Doll", "Save It for Me", "Big Man in Town", "Bye Bye Baby", "Girl Come Running", "Beggin'", and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (the first big success under Valli's name as a solo performer). Crewe/Gaudio compositions also became major hits for other artists, including the Tremeloes ("Silence Is Golden", originally the B-side of the Four Seasons' "Rag Doll" ), The Osmonds ("The Proud One", originally recorded as a Valli solo single) and the Walker Brothers ("The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore", another Valli single).
"Rag Doll" is regarded by some as the greatest achievement of the Four Seasons. Gaudio was on the way to a recording session and his car was stopped at a long traffic light in Hell's Kitchen. Often kids would wash the car windows during the long waits and ask for some change. In Gaudio's case, a scruffy little girl washed his window. When Gaudio went to give her change, all he had was a $10 bill. After a moment's hesitation, he gave her the bill because he had to give her something. The astonished look on her face stayed with him and inspired the subsequent song.
Sheesh, I remember this song, which made the Royal Teens a one-hit wonder. It was released on the Paramount label.
Hit it, boys:
With Dick Clark:
The Four Seasons:
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