The Four Seasons now – tragic deaths, debt, huge net worths and jail time

They’re one of music’s all-time greatest vocal groups, and in 2015, a film about The Four Seasons was made into a major Hollywood film – Jersey Boys, based on the stage musical of the same name.

With hits including Walk Like a Man, Sherry and December 1963 (Oh, What A Night), they were an inspiration for generations of musicians, with music legend Billy Joel paying tribute to them when he inducted the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

He said: “The Four Seasons had wonderful chord progressions, beautiful writing, terrific production, fantastic harmony, [and] records that really spoke to us.”

On the anniversary of bass player Nick Massi’s death on December 24, 2000, Daily Star takes a look at where the other members of The Four Seasons are now.

Frankie Valli

Frankie Castelluccio, otherwise known as Frankie Valli, is the frontman for The Four Seasons who dazzled audiences with his impressive falsetto voice.

As well as singing hit songs including Bye Bye Baby and Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, which have been covered by numerous artists, Frankie also lent his vocals to the soundtrack for one of the biggest musicals of all time, Grease, singing its hit theme song.

With a career spanning almost 70 years, it is no surprise that he has amassed a huge estimated fortune of more than $80million (£59m), after being the voice of songs that have been the soundtrack to thousands of people’s lives around the world.

It’s not just on the stage where he has made a name for himself though – he has also landed roles in hit TV shows including Miami Vice as Mafia Boss Frank Doss and in The Sopranos as mobster Rusty Millio.

He most recently released an album of jazz songs called Touch of Jazz in 2021, and has tour dates planned across the world throughout 2022.

Away from the limelight, the star had six children and has been married three times – first to Mary Mandel from 1957-1971, then to Mary Ann Hannigan from 1974-1982, and then to Randy Clohessy from 1984-2004.

Tragically, Frankie’s stepdaughter Celia died in 1980 when she fell off a fire escape, with his youngest daughter, Francine, dying from a reported drug overdose just six months later.

Bob Gaudio

Before joining The Four Seasons, Bob Gaudio was already a successful songwriter of the hit single Who Wears Short Shorts? at the age of 15 – a song which continues to delight audiences decades later and has even been featured in comedies such as The Simpsons.

His flair for writing timeless songs was then discovered by none other than award winning actor Joe Peschi of Home Alone and Goodfellas fame, who then told group member Tommy Devito and the rest, as they say, is history.

Bob is the songwriter behind The Four Season’s hit songs including Sherry and Big Girls Don’t Cry, and although he stopped performing with the band in the ’70s, he continued writing songs for the group and Frankie Valli such as December 1963 (Oh What A Night), which he wrote with his wife.

Talking to The Tennessean, Bob explained that he and Frankie Valli have a close bond, despite not performing together anymore, so much so that the singer trusts Bob to cast the actor who plays him in hit show Jersey Boys.

He said: “Frankie always says that I know more about him than he does, so whenever we’re casting that role, I spend a few days with them in the studio.

“The same with casting the Bobs. I just try to give them a sense of where we all began, how it got started. But they all bring a little of themselves to the parts, and that’s a good thing.”

Aside from The Four Seasons, Bob has also produced albums for singers including Neil Diamond, as well as the soundtrack for Little Shop of Horrors, so it is no surprise that he has amassed a staggering estimated net worth of $70million (£52m).

In his personal life, Bob is married to Judy Parker and they have two daughters, Lisa and Danielle.

Back in 2009, Bob finally received his high school diploma – 50 years after he dropped out of high scool.

Tommy Devito

After learning to play guitar at the age of 12, guitarist and singer Tommy Devito began playing in numerous bands, including The Four Lovers and later rose to fame as part of The Four Seasons.

The Four Seasons’ rise to the top was “crazy” said Tommy to the Las Vegas Sun, adding: “We went from making $1,000 a week to $1,000 a day.”

However in 1971, the star left The Four Seasons and it was later reported that he had built up an unpaid tax bill, as well as debts, and that Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio had absorbed the debt in exchange for buying Tommy out of the group – something that is retold in the musical Jersey Boys.

However, Tommy told The Las Vegas Sun: “I left because I had had enough.

“I had it up to here with the road and the group. … I didn’t care about playing and hearing the applause again.”

However, he did reunite with The Four Seasons members when they were inducted into The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and remained friends with them, appearing with his fellow group members at the premiere of the Jersey Boys film in 2014.

Aside from his career in The Four Seasons, Tommy worked as an assistant on the film Goodfellas, for which his close friend Joe Peschi won an academy award.

It has also been reported that Joe named his Goodfellas character after Tommy Devito, and later on in his life, the actual Tommy Devito made a cameo in another Martin Scorcese film called Casino.

He had also worked as a card dealer in Las Vegas during his life and, in 2006, released an album of folk songs called A Man for all Seasons.

Reflecting on his life and career, he told The Jersey Boys blog in 2006: “First, I’d want people to remember all of the great music the Four Seasons did together.

“Then, I’d also want people to know that everyone makes mistakes – nobody’s perfect. I’m not ashamed to admit it – I’ve been punished, did some jail time and I’ve paid my dues.”

He told Vegas Seven he’d been to jail “seven or eight times”, adding: “I’m not proud of it, but I’m not ashamed of it. My Neighbourhood was rough. If you come out alive, that’s an achievement.”

Tommy Devito was married to Edda Devito until his death aged 92 from Covid-19, on September 21, 2020 at a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Following the announcement that he had died, Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio said on social media: “It is with great sadness that we report that Tommy DeVito, a founding member of the Four Seasons, has passed.

“We send our love to his family during this most difficult time. He will be missed by all who loved him.”

Joe Peschi also paid tribute to the star after his death, saying in a statement: “The time he spent as part of the Four Seasons produced some of the most iconic music of that era and continues to inspire young musicians to this day.

“I will always remember him for his great voice and for the character that he was.”

Nick Massi

Nick Massi was the talented bass player in The Four Seasons, who joined the group at the same time as songwriter Bob Gaudio.

However after a string of hit singles in the ’50s and early ’60s, Nick grew tired of touring and left the group in 1965, stepping away from the limelight.

Away from fame, he was married to Margie Massi and they had three children together called Nicky, Bobby and Patty.

Nick Massi died from cancer on Christmas Eve 2000 aged 73, at his home in West Orange, New Jersey.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk