Four Lovers

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Four Lovers


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Background = group_or_band
Alias = used many
Origin = Newark, New Jersey
Genre = Rock/Pop
Years_active = 1954–1960
Label = RCA Victor, Epic
Associated_acts = The Four Seasons
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Current_members = Frankie Valli Bob Gaudio (replaced Nick DeVito, 1959) Tommy DeVito Nick Massi (replaced Charles Calello, 1960)
Past_members = Hank Majewski (charter member) Charles Calello (replaced Hank Majewski, 1959)

The Four Lovers was a 1950s musical group that was the eventual result of lead vocalist Frankie Valli joining The Variety Trio (brothers Nick and Tommy DeVito and Hank Majewski in 1954. After adopting the name The Variatones later that year, the quartet used a succession of names until the group settled on "The Four Lovers" in 1956). [Jay Warner, "American Singing Groups: A History from 1940 to Today" (Hal Leonard Books, 2006) ISBN 0-634-09978-7] The quartet released seven singles and one album under the Four Lovers name, with only "You're the Apple of My Eye" being the only Four Lovers record with significant national sales to appear on the "Billboard" Hot 100 singles chart. [Whitburn, Joel. "Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1993", Billboard Publications 1994 ISBN 0-89820-105-5]

After the lack of success in the record sales department, The Four Lovers temporarily disbanded until 1958, after Valli met producer Bob Crewe, who signed him (and the group) to a three year artist contract. The reconstituted quartet then worked steadily as session artists, primarily as background singers and performers, in addition to resuming their live performances in various clubs and lounges between New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [Jay Warner, "American Singing Groups: A History from 1940 to Today" (Hal Leonard Books, 2006) ISBN 0-634-09978-7] In addition, their contract with Crewe allowed them to record individually or collectively for Crewe's Peri Records — which they did under more than a handful of "stage names". [Bronson, Fred. "The Billboard Book of Number One Hits", 3rd edition (Billboard Books, 1992) ISBN 0-8230-8298-9]

After changes in personnel in 1959 and 1960 brought in composer/keyboardist Bob Gaudio and bassist Nick Massi, the group had become a complete outfit with an "in house" composer. In mid-1961, after a failed audition at a New Jersey bowling establishment, a handshake between Valli and Gaudio signified a change: The Four Seasons Partnership was founded, and by the end of 1962, the quartet of Valli, Gaudio, Massi, and DeVito (with Crewe and arranger Charles Calello, a former member of The Four Lovers) would have two singles reach the top spot on the Hot 100). [Bronson, Fred. "The Billboard Book of Number One Hits", 3rd edition (Billboard Books, 1992) ISBN 0-8230-8298-9] [Sasfy, Joe. Liner notes to "Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons: 1962-1967" (Warner Special Products, 1987: Time-Life Music The Rock 'N' Era 2RNR-15)]

Discography

ingles credited to The Four Lovers (1956-57)

1956 "You're the Apple of My Eye"/"The Girl in My Dreams" - RCA Victor "Honey Love"/"Please Don't Leave Me" - RCA Victor "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)"/"Be Lovey Dovey" - RCA Victor [Umphred, Neil. "Goldmine's Rock'n'Roll 45RPM Record Price Guide" (3rd edition), Krause Publications 1994 ISBN 0-87341-287-7]

1957 "Never Never"/"Happy Am I" - RCA Victor "Shake a Hand"/"The Stranger" - RCA Victor "The Stranger"/"Night Train" - RCA Victor "My Life for You"/"Pucker Up" - Epic

ingles released under other names (1953-61)

1958 "I Go Ape"/"If You Care" (as Frankie Tyler) - Okeh

1959 "Please Take a Chance"/"It May Be Wrong" (as Frankie Vally) - Decca "Come Si Bella" (as Franke Valle and the Romans)/"Real (This Is Real)" (as Frankie Valley) - Cindy

1960 "Too Young to Start"/"Red Lips" (as The Village Voices) - Topix/Peri

1961 "Spanish Lace"/"1,000,000 Tears" (Bob Gaudio as Turner Disentri) - Topix/Peri "I Am All Alone"/"Trance" (as Billy Dixon and The Topics) - Topix/Peri "An Angel Cried"/"Hope, Faith and Dreams" (as Harold Miller and The Rays) - Topix/Peri "Lost Lullaby"/"Trance" (as Billy Dixon and The Topics) - Topix/Peri "Betty Jean"/"More Lovin' Less Talkin'" (as Johnny Halo) - Topix/Peri

Albums

"Joyride"

RCA Victor LPM 1317, released September 1956 (reissued 1978 as RCA LP 7131). It is a collection of cover versions with a few originals tossed in. A variety of musical styles are represented here, rhythm and blues ("This Is My Story" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", the latter a Lloyd Price chestnut), western ("San Antonio Rose", later a hit for Floyd Cramer), pop ("For Sentimental Reasons" and "Memories of You"), and early rock'n'roll (their version of "White Christmas" and "Such a Night", both popularized by The Drifters).

"The Four Lovers"

Rhino R2 90142 (CD), released July 1993. This is essentially a reissue of a 1989 German compilation album ("The Four Lovers 1956") with a few alternate takes thrown in. In addition to the complete contents of the "Joyride" album and a few songs that were recorded in the "Joyride" sessions, the CD contains all songs that The Four Lovers released as singles on RCA Victor. Thus it contains the entire Four Lovers output except the two sides on their 1957 Epic single ("My Life for Your Love" and "Pucker Up").

References