Doo Wop A Hit

Looking for a sure-fire hit to sing at your next karaoke gig? If you're a guy and you have a decent falsetto, you just might try one of the songs made popular by the Four Seasons. Songs such as "Walk Like a Man" and "Sherry" are guaranteed to be crowd pleasers.

For those of you too young to recall or those of you too old to remember, the Four Seasons were virtually one of the very few American groups whose successful careers were not derailed when the Beatles and the British Invasion bands hit the States in 1964. In fact, 1964 ranks as the Four Seasons' biggest year of all, despite the insurgency from abroad, which attests to the durability and appeal of their songs.

That appeal stems from the Four Seasons' ability to complement spotless Doo-Wop harmonies with the forceful falsetto and three-octave range of lead vocalist Frankie Valli. In addition, superb song-writing and arrangements from group member Bob Gaudio, as definitely added to the group's success.

At their peak, the Four Seasons made recordings that expressed the tough-but-tender sensibility of their home turf in the Northeast much in the way the Beach Boys captured Southern California in harmony and song. In the words of Billy Joel, a longtime fan who grew up listening to them on Long Island, "The Four Seasons had wonderful chord progressions, beautiful writing, terrific production and fantastic harmony, their records really spoke to us."

During a hit making streak that spanned the years 1962-68, the Four Seasons netted two dozen Top Forty singles, including the Number One hits "Walk Like a Man," "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Rag Doll." They've sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful doo-wop groups in rock and roll history.