It's not the cast from Jersey Boys. Not a Jersey Boys tribute
show. Not a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons cover band. Members of this amazing
supergroup of musicians, vocalists, arrangers and composers actually were the Four
Seasons who sang with Frankie Valli. They were the Shondells who sang with Tommy
James.
They are the authentic rock and rollers whose legacy includes hundreds of hit
records from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
They now call themselves The Hit Men and are
bringing their famous sounds and energy to Harris Center for the Arts.
Remember Gerry Polci and Lee Shapiro? They may not be household names now but
back in the 70's, you bought all of their records. You heard them on the radio. Saw them
on TV. Went to their concerts. So who are they?
They're the former stars of the hit-
making factory known as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. These guys toured the
world with Frankie. Recorded numerous hit albums with him. And sang the lead vocals
on songs like "Oh What a Night" – the biggest Seasons hit of all time. When they met in
1973, they were two boys from New Jersey barely out of their teens, and the Four
Seasons hadn't had a charted hit record in years. Along with Valli and songwriter/
producer Bob Gaudio, Gerry Polci and Lee Shapiro, they successfully transitioned the
group's sound from '60s doo-wop to '70s pop with mega-hit songs like "Who Loves
You" and "Oh What a Night," beloved hits that have been heard for generations and are
woven into America's consciousness.
Spurred by the runaway success of
Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning Broadway
musical based on the Four Seasons' career, these former Seasons, who are now in their
late 50s and early 60s, decided to re-unite -- along with an A-list group of musicians who
wrote, recorded and performed with Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, Elton John, Jim Croce,
Chicago, Luther Vandross, The Ramones, Carole King, and other mega-star acts of the
era -- and give touring one more shot.
Their show is an amazing look back through rock and roll history, including fascinating
back stories of what it was like being on the road and in the recording studios with
Frankie, Tommy, Carly, Cat, Jim and Elton. And, of course, there are all those amazing
hits…with The Hit Men performing great songs from the Four Seasons songbook (from
"Rag Doll," "Dawn," and "Walk Like a Man," to "Can't Take My Eyes Of You,"
"Marianne," and "Sherry"), plus other mega hits that members of The Hit Men helped
make famous back in the day such as Cat Stevens' "Peace Train," Jim Croce's "Leroy
Brown," Carly Simon's "You're So Vain," and Tommy James' "Mony Mony."
When The Hit Men take the stage, it's easy to see why their music has transcended
generations. The notes are sharp, the vocals spot-on, the energy is high, and these guys
are having the time of their lives sharing their musical legacy with audiences everywhere!
The Hit Men. featuring former stars of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons will perform
Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 2 & 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $25-$39; Premium $49. Tickets
are available online at
harriscenter.net or from Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-
608-6888 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show
time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. Harris Center is located on the west
side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, facing East Bidwell Street.
Blog Post information and picture courtesy of Harris Center for the Arts.
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