Happy 65th Video Birthday to Scorpio Bob Gaudio

by Robert Wilkinson

Today we wish Bob Gaudio a very happy birthday, and may you have many, many more. Though some who have lived on Mars from the 60s to the present have never heard of him, he was the musical genius behind the Four Seasons. While Taurus Frankie Valli held the spotlight with his 3 1/2 octave voice belting out hits like "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry, "Dawn (Go Away)," "Rag Doll," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," (to name but a few of their many hits) it was Bob Gaudio who wrote these and more. Today I've found a few video clips of the group at their finest.

Bob Gaudio was a child musical prodigy who performed a Carnegie Hall recital at 7 years old and originally made his mark as founder, songwriter, and star of the Royal Teens ("Short Shorts"). Reintroduced to Frankie Valli by Joe Pesci (yes, THAT Joe Pesci of "My Cousin Vinnie" fame!) he became the musical director and organist singing harmony in many years of hitmaking with the 4 Seasons.

The music of the Four Seasons affected literally tens of millions of people for about a decade. His collaborator in the remarkable string of multi-million selling singles and albums throughout the 60s was fellow Scorpio Bob Crewe, who co-wrote most of the hits and co-produced and arranged the "sound" of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

These two Scorpios created songs that rivaled the best ever written. Their collaborations succeeded in topping the charts every few months in an era when most of the top spots were owned by the Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Supremes, Kinks, Animals, Four Tops, Temptations, Ray Charles, Mamas and the Papas, Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel, Young Rascals, Lovin' Spoonful, all the way to the Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi, Janis, the Who, and other major competition. Remember - this was an awesome era in music.

So for your enjoyment, here are a few video clips of the band at their best. And yes, Frankie really IS hitting those unbelievable high notes! The medley may have been on "Hullabaloo" with other instruments hidden from the cameras and whatever primitive tricks and backing tracks they used in teevee music shows back then, but his phrasing clearly shows he wasn't lip synching! In the separate production of "Big Girls Don't Cry," you will note neither guitarist has cords, but they still at least act like they're playing and don't mug too much. Enjoy!

Frankie Valli & Four Seasons 1965 Medley Dawn, Rag Doll and other hits

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Big Girls Don't Cry

This clip is no longer available.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Let's Hang On

The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - Written by Gaudio, performed with a different lineup than the original Four Seasons, and the first time anyone but Frankie sang at least part of the lead.

(On a final note, lest you think Bob Gaudio was a mere 30 hit wonder, he also went on to work with Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Eric Carmen, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, and of course, with Frankie Valli wrote the Tony and Grammy award winning Broadway musical, "Jersey Boys," based on their life story with the Four Seasons.)

© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Valerie]

WOW!! Thanks for those great videos! Take me back to my childhood and get me all choked up!

[john graziani]

frankie valli and the four seasons is one of the greatest groups of all time. I will always love this group because of its special songs and its great ability to move with the times. Though I was a baby when the Four Seasons acheived much of its fame, the songs transcend all age groups.I am enjoying your special music and videos with my wife Mary Ann and kids on a cold and snowy day in Southgate,Michigan. Frankie is always looking great. Best Wishes Always to this group. Sincerely , John Graziani

[Robert]

Hi John - You bet! They were an awesome group, and one of my favorites back in the 60s. Thanks for your compliments, and I'm truly glad I was able to offer such world class entertainment to snowy Southgate. Happy Holidays, and keep listening! You may even want to check out other video birthdays in the archives. Just site google "video," "videos," or "birthday" and you'll be taken to the links. Ciao for now!