Tommy DeVito, original Four Seasons founding member, RIP

COVID-19 claims life of original Four Seasons member Tommy DeVito, 92 - NJArts.net

 

Oh man.....he was a good one, and I’m sad to see him go.

 

R.I.P. Tommy

 

Sad news. RIP Tommy DeVito.

 

Rest in peace Mr. DeVito. The music you helped create will never be forgotten.

Frankie, Tommy, Bob and Nick.

 

A life well lived.

 

Oh No!!!

Sad to hear this, he was the 'attitude' of the group and the reason the group came to be.
He fought many tough battles, and the group saved his life a time or two.
A big loss to the music world.

 

Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Tommy.

 

Probably one of the last pictures of 3 original key members.
That's actor Joe Pesci with Tommy, Bob and Frankie.

 

The guy at far right, though, does look like a dead ringer for the late Nick Massi, doesn't he?

Seeing all the pics, it does seem Bob Gaudio was and is the tallest Season, and Frankie Valli the shortest.

But I second the R.I.P. sentiments to Mr. DeVito for a life long lived.

 

An early one with Frankie Valli, Tommy and Hank Majewski in 1954.

That 'Telecaster' Tommy is playing, would be worth a fortune today.

 

Stunned this was super under the radar. I didn't even hear about it until today and I am a massive music guy.

 

It's quite amazing really, considering they were one of the top artists of the entire decade of the 60's, as far as hit singles goes:

1. The Beatles
2. Elvis Presley
3. Ray Charles
4. Brenda Lee
5. The Supremes
6. The 4 Seasons
7. The Beach Boys
8. Connie Francis
9. James Brown
10. Marvin Gaye

Source: Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2012, Record Research Inc., 2013.

 

Yeah, that list........
I wouldn't take that as anything 'sacred'.

 

Why not? It's strictly based on Billboard chart data.

 

Well....
You answered your own question..... Billboard.
That doesn't mean it's in anyway accurate....
Just sayin'...

 

This picture appears to be from opening night of Jersey Boys on Broadway. The guy on the far right is J. Robert Spencer, who played Nick in the musical.

 

Tommy DeVito, R.I.P. Very saddened at this news. Thanks for your founding of the Four Seasons, and the musical legacy you've left behind and for being a legend in musical and cultural life.

 

That's your opinion. The charts back then were compiled from playlists reported from radio stations and surveys of retail sales outlets. There was no grey-area streams or downloads to consider. As far as 45 rpm sales go, I can't think of a more accurate depiction of hit singles from that period. An independently run chart magazine that existed at the same time called Cash Box shows a similar list using their chart data of the top singles artists of the 60's:

1. The Beatles
2. Elvis Presley
3. Ray Charles
4. The Supremes
5. The 4 Seasons
6. Brenda Lee
7. Connie Francis
8. The Beach Boys
9. Bobby Vinton
10. Marvin Gaye

Source: Joel Whiburn's Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996, Record Research Inc., 2014.

 

Playlists from radio stations have always been 'shady', and 'survey's' from sales outlets?
C'mon, but if you feel that is factual?, then good for you.

Meanwhile, Respect Tommy, and maybe start your chart/Billboard successes in another thread hey?

 

I consider over 100 years of hard data from multiple publications way more accurate than some guy on an internet forum with an opinion. If you can direct me to a more reliable source for this information, please feel free to do so. All I was trying to do was point out just how popular The 4 Seasons were in their day. If you don't like it, too bad.

 

Take a chill pill and take it easy.
Seems like your looking for an argument.
A key member of the 'Season's just died, and your too busy throwing around 'attitude' more than anything.
Grow up.

 

I'm not looking for an argument. I'm looking for the "Ignore" button. Goodbye!

 

GoodO!
Seeya!

Get back to the real stuff....

 

Amazing Tommy got to this ripe old age, considering he also had to 'sell out' his share of the group too.
The fella could have written an incredible book.