The Four Lovers

The Four Lovers was a 1950s musical group that was the eventual result of lead vocalist Frankie Valli joining The Variety Trio (brothers Nick and Tommy DeVito and Hank Majewski in 1954. After adopting the name The Variatones later that year, the quartet used a succession of names until the group settled on "The Four Lovers" in 1956). The quartet released seven singles and one album under the Four Lovers name, with only "You're the Apple of My Eye" being the only Four Lovers record with significant national sales to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. After the lack of success in the record sales department, The Four Lovers temporarily disbanded until 1958, after Valli met producer Bob Crewe, who signed him (and the group) to a three year artist contract. The reconstituted quartet then worked steadily as session artists, primarily as background singers and performers, in addition to resuming their live performances in various clubs and lounges between New York City and Philadelphia) In addition, their contract with Crewe allowed them to record individually or collectively for Crewe's Peri Records — which they did under more than a handful of "stage names". After changes in personnel in 1959 and 1960 brought in composer/keyboardist Bob Gaudio and bassist Nick Massi, the group had become a complete outfit with an "in house" composer. In mid-1961, after a failed audition at a New Jersey bowling establishment, a handshake between Valli and Gaudio signified a change: The Four Seasons Partnership was founded, and by the end of 1962, the quartet of Valli, Gaudio, Massi, and DeVito (with Crewe and arranger Charles Calello, a former member of The Four Lovers) would have two singles reach the top spot on the Hot 100).