Let's Not Forget The Four Seasons
In the final chapter of Mix Tapes and Empty Buildings, we find out that Mix’s father liked the Four Seasons. For a history of that popular band of the 1960s, you can find several books or see the play, Jersey Boys.
The Four Seasons were more of a singles band rather than making full albums or concept albums. They did make albums, but they were more known for singles. They came about at an interesting time for the music industry. Early Rock n roll was based on the single. If you look at the best selling albums of the 1950s, you’ll find soundtracks or crooners or the last remnants of the big band era. This trend continued into the early 1960s. Motown was based on great single songs. Phil Spector produced hit singles.
The Four Seasons had hit songs. The record company would put those big selling singles in one album for easy collection or they would take a hit song and filler to complete an album. By filler I mean remakes of older songs.
They wrote their own best selling songs at a time, many bands had outside songwriters.
The Four Seasons also hit the big time at a time when music critics say rock was in a lull. The big acts of the 1950s faded or were forced into a break. Elvis went into the Army. Little Richard gave up touring to record Gospel records. Chuck Berry had legal issues. The Beatles and the British Invasion hadn’t happened yet. The Four Seasons became big in that time and actually lasted through much of the early British Invasion. They had top 10 songs from 1962 through 1967 or so. Then, the band came back in the 1970s although not with all the original members.
It is interesting to note that in spite of that longevity, The Four Seasons are never mentioned in the pantheon of great rock bands. Sure we talk about the Doors, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Yes, The Rolling Stones, Rush, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Band, ELO, Chicago, Traffic, or Led Zeppelin, The Supremes. The Four Seasons are not often mentioned.
There is no mistaking the studio mastery of the songs they produced. Bob Crewe did soundtracks, multiple artists, and he isn’t mentioned in the same sentences as Phil Spector, Phil Ramone or Steve Albini.
It’s an odd omission.