Find highquality tommy devito stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Devito rejoined valli and gaudio massi had died in 2000 on stage at the 2005 broadway opening of the. He and the remaining members of the four seasons reunited in 2005 for a performance commemorating the opening of the tonywinning play jersey boys, based on the bands early days. Jersey boys, the longrunning broadway jukebox musical about the four seasons singers who shot to fame in the 60s, has been a windfall for its creators, investors and half of the group that. Jersey boys movie vs true story real frankie valli, tommy devito. If you want to laugh and see these boys at their finest watch. April kirkwoods decadeslong love affair with frankie valli began when she was just 6 years old. Massi, tommy devito, frankie valli, and bob gaudiothe original members of the four seasonswere inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 1990 and the vocal group hall of fame in 1999. Frankie valli, the lead singer of the band was the center of attraction of the band along with massi on the bass guitar. Nick massi, a founding member of early 60s hitmakers the four seasons, died of cancer dec. Frankie valli and the four seasons is a pop band who found fame in the mid 1960s. Singer and guitarist best known as a founding member of the four seasons. He and the remaining members of the four seasons reunited in 2005 for a performance commemorating the opening of the tonywinning.
In addition to the four seasons rise to fame, the musical also covers such largely unknown aspects of their lives as devito and massis time served in prison during the 1950s the groups ties to new jersey mafia boss gyp decarlo. Tommy devito was born on 19 june 1928, in belleville, new jersey usa, of italian descent. It was the four seasons of newark, who matched the fab four hitbyhit on the. Massi, born nicholas macioci in 1927, sang bass vocals. This group featured also frankie valli, tommy devito and later bob gaudio, and it was this group that evolved into the four seasons by 1960. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. Meet the real frankie valli, tommy devito, bob gaudio, nick massi and. It begins in the 1980s when a journalist named rex woodard became friendly with four seasons member tommy devito in the course of research for articles about the early days of the band. Frankie valli took me at 16, and used me in decadeslong affair. Oh, what a night the night frankie valli and the four seasons got busted in cleveland. Judge overturns jurys verdict that jersey boys is a. Devito, along with fellow original four seasons valli, massi and gaudio, was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 1990 and the vocal group hall of fame in 1999. Tommy devito was born on june 19, 1928 in belleville, new jersey, usa.
Tommy devitos tough times now behind him jersey boys blog. L to r actor joe pesci joins tommy devito, bob gaudio and frankie valli of frankie valli and the four seasons onstage during the curtain call at the play opening night of jersey boys on. The movie depicts the mob forcing tommy devito to go live in las vegas, in turn kicking him out of the band. After hoff read the script, which was based on interviews with the three remaining seasons massi died in 2000, he tracked down devitos. Maryland musicians will raise money for ailing friend. The four seasons were inducted into the 2017 new jersey hall of fame in the performing arts category. Tommy devito was born in belleville, new jersey, and began his. Casting and tour dates have been announced for the 201718 touring seasons of the tony, grammy and olivier awardwinning hit musical jersey boys, the story of frankievalli andthe four seasons. Tommy and the boys is a funny and entertaining look at four seasons founder tommy devito, and his group of friends, real jersey boys. Frankie valli took me at 16, and used me in decadeslong. Brotherhood, mafia ties backbone of the four seasons story. Though the movie doesnt always glamorize their backstage life, it takes a benign, even noble view of the two principals. Tommy devito is a american singer, guitarist, actor, who was born on in belleville, new jersey, united states.
Who is frankie vallis of the four seasons daughter. Frankie valli faces trial for ripping off his own life story in jersey. Jersey boys movie vs true story real frankie valli. Massi died of cancer on december 24, 2000, at his home in west orange, new jersey. The lawsuit was brought by donna corbello, the widow of rex woodard, who assisted four seasons member tommy devito in an autobiography. Frankie valli and tommy devito to future four seasons member bob gaudio. As she remembers it, she loved the four seasons more than anything, even at. Tommy devito was a character in martin scorseses academy awardwinning 1990 mafia epic goodfellas. Tommy devito was born in belleville on tuesday, june 19, 1928 silent generation. Friends for all four seasons what pushes the limits of mens friendships. Singerguitarist tommy devito was a founding member of the four seasons, and he performed and recorded with the group from 1961 to 1971. How the four seasons clashed, dealt with the mob and made lasting hits bob gaudio wrote most of the four seasons hits, some of which are.
In jersey boys, the four seasons get busted in cleveland. Bob gaudio wrote most of the four seasons hits, some of which are compiled in a new anthology. Here, the jersey boys true story contradicts the movie, at least according to the real tommy devito. Who is frankie vallis of the four seasons daughter francine valli. Tommy and the boys tommy devito from the four seasons. But did it really happen the way the hit broadway show jersey boys, which purports to tell the story of. The three surviving original members of the four seasons, from left, tommy devito, bob gaudio and frankie valli, at the afterparty for the opening of jersey boys on broadway in 2005. Died december 2000 aged in west orange, new jersey us.
December 24, 2000, west orange, new jersey, usa cancer. American bass singer and bass guitarist for the four seasons. Gaetano tommy devito born june 19, 1928 is an american musician and singer, best. The book was based on interviews, newspaper articles, freedom of information act requests and more, but was never published in woodards lifetime. Tommy devito facts, bio, age, personal life famous. How the four seasons clashed, dealt with the mob and made. Valli stands by bandmate tommy devito even as the latter nearly brings.
Frankie valli, bob gaudio, tommy devito, and nick massi. Valli and nick massi were both born and raised in newark and tommy devito grew up in. Guitaristsinger tommy devito was a key member of the phenomenally successful pop group the four seasons throughout their 60s heyday. The band expanded to a quartet and changed its name to. One low day, he was scrubbing the country club house of a big shots wife, when it leaked out in conversation tommy had been the guitar player in the four seasons. Nick massi page in fuller up, the dead musician directory. Devito rejoined valli and gaudio massi had died in 2000 on stage at the 2005 broadway opening of the documentarystyle musical jersey boys. Gaetano tommy devito born june 19, 1928 is an american musician and singer, best known as a founding member, baritone vocalist, and lead guitarist of the rock band the four seasons. Devito and fellow group member frankie valli formed a group that eventually became the four seasons. Tommy talks about his tough early days of poverty and abuse, his wild life of fame and fortune as the founder of the four seasons, how he fell on hard times in las vegas, and how he rose again on the strength of family, friends and jersey boys.
Guitarist demetri callas left frederick for a career that included a four seasons stint. How joe pesci connects jersey boys and goodfellas time. Nick massi, an original member of the popular 60s group four seasons, died sunday of cancerrelated causes at his home in west orange, new jersey, according to. How the four seasons clashed, dealt with the mob and. Devito got his musical start with his brother nick devito and hank majewski in a new jersey group called the variety trio. Who was the american band who met the beatles head on.
There havent been many spectacles like the one coming soon to a. The four later changed the name of the band to the four seasons. Nick massi, an original member of the popular 60s group four seasons, died sunday of cancerrelated causes at his home in west orange, new jersey, according to the newark starledger. This post originally misidentified the four seasons members in three photos, identifying a photo of the reallife tommy devito as bob gaudio, a photo of the reallife. Brotherhood, mafia ties backbone of the four seasons. As she remembers it, she loved the four seasons more than. He is known for his work on the good shepherd 2006. The cast of jersey boys will be led by tommaso antico bob gaudio, corey greenan tommy devito, chris stevens nick massi and jonny wexler frankie valli. The following is a 2005 profile of founding four seasons member tommy devito, a bellevilleborn tough guy who left the band or was forced out, as jersey boys has it. Tommy devito was a driving force behind the tremendous popularity and ultimate success of the four seasons in the 60s. The role, played by veteran character actor joe pesci, was based on the real life criminal figure tommy desimone, who was an associate of the lucchese crime family in new york city. Before decarlos death in 1973, he did indeed watch over the group, acting as their. It was the four seasons of newark, who matched the fab four hitbyhit on the vee jay records 1964 release the beatles vs.
He is a musician best known for being one of the members of the band called the four seasons. Was tommy devito really kicked out of the four seasons and forced to go live in las vegas. Frankie valli and bob gaudios uneasy relationship with. L to r actor joe pesci joins tommy devito, bob gaudio and frankie valli of frankie valli and the four seasons onstage during the curtain. After nearly nine years of legal wrangling and a fourweek. Also, tommy devito is a character portrayed by joe pesci in goodfellas. Devito, along with fellow original four seasons valli, massi and gaudio, was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. This band was one of the most famous rock bands of the 1950s and 60s. During his time with the band, massi met with tommy devito, frankie valli, and bob gaudio. Bob gaudio, tommy devito, charlie calello and frankie valli of the four seasons. Frankie valli faces trial for ripping off his own life.
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