In the past few years there was a successful musical based on them, Jersey Boys, and a relatively faithful rap cover of one of their songs was a big hit internationally ("Beggin'").
I spun 'Beggin' (the Four Seasons OG) on Saturday night and the place went apeshit.
Oh, and the first person I thought of when I saw this thread was Johnny Rivers. Solid hitmaker for ten years and then faded away. I like his stuff though...
Oh, and the first person I thought of when I saw this thread was Johnny Rivers. Solid hitmaker for ten years and then faded away. I like his stuff though...
I have no idea what he is doing, but I would think he could have a good career on the Casino circuit.
Also Tommy James who had a knack for changing styles and coming up with hit songs.
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Bon Vivant said:
Milli Vanilli
Milli Vanilli are the Barry Bondseses of the music industry. Their achievements are so tainted, it will never be possible to objectively criticize "their" career. For the record, I always thought they sucked, but that's not a very bold position to take.
The term No One is impossible to keep any band to, there will always be a new market for anything that has short term appeal because not everyone was paying attention when something came and went due to saturation. I worked with a guy in 1998 who spun nothing but 80's pop compilations and didn't understand why I was less than enthusiastic about Golden Earring's Twilight Zone, which I had already heard to saturation on MTV in 1982 when I'd watch the network for hours after my 5th grade classes.
If we re-frame this question as what band enjoyed incredible short term success followed by accelerated obscurity due to the fact that no one could stand them anymore, I'd say in my personal experience it would be the Spin Doctors. In the middle of my college career (early 90's), they enjoyed a brief vogue where I heard them at every damn party I went to for about three months, followed by a strong backlash where people would rip the CD out of the player if it was put on. First time I ever saw a CD microwaved.
Comedy music acts enjoy a similar arc, when the joke is tired and the bands are judged on musical talent, bands like Dread Zeppelin and The Dead Milkmen began to lose their popular appeal at parties.
Some of these mentioned are one and two hit wonders....the 4 Seasons had 16 Top Ten hits....songs like "Ronnie" (#6), "Tell It To The Rain"(#10), "I've Got You Under My Skin"(#9) and "C.Mon Marianne"(#9) are totally ignored by Oldies radio and I can only imagine it's because they have very few fans in 2011. Oldies radio is BUILT on Top Ten hits, yet these get virtually no play.....and "Beggin" may be popular because of it's use by another artist recently, but otherwise that one was lost in obscurity too. While they may still be popular in NY/NJ/Philly....I can't think of another group that had that many hits that fell off like the 4 Seasons did.
Some of these mentioned are one and two hit wonders....the 4 Seasons had 16 Top Ten hits....songs like "Ronnie" (#6), "Tell It To The Rain"(#10), "I've Got You Under My Skin"(#9) and "C.Mon Marianne"(#9) are totally ignored by Oldies radio and I can only imagine it's because they have very few fans in 2011. Oldies radio is BUILT on Top Ten hits, yet these get virtually no play.....and "Beggin" may be popular because of it's use by another artist recently, but otherwise that one was lost in obscurity too. While they may still be popular in NY/NJ/Philly....I can't think of another group that had that many hits that fell off like the 4 Seasons did.
Beggin' is their one 'Northern Soul Banger' or whatever. The people who go for that tune don't care about any of their others.
I had to go see what the most downloaded songs from the 4 Seasons on Amazon were cuz I couldn't remember what all they did... Oldies radio still plays (or it did anyway, we don't have a strictly oldies station around here really anymore): Sherry, Walk like a Man, Big Girls Don't Cry, Working My Way Back to You, Let's Hang On.
Some of these mentioned are one and two hit wonders....the 4 Seasons had 16 Top Ten hits....songs like "Ronnie" (#6), "Tell It To The Rain"(#10), "I've Got You Under My Skin"(#9) and "C.Mon Marianne"(#9) are totally ignored by Oldies radio and I can only imagine it's because they have very few fans in 2011. Oldies radio is BUILT on Top Ten hits, yet these get virtually no play.....and "Beggin" may be popular because of it's use by another artist recently, but otherwise that one was lost in obscurity too. While they may still be popular in NY/NJ/Philly....I can't think of another group that had that many hits that fell off like the 4 Seasons did.
Beggin' is their one 'Northern Soul Banger' or whatever. The people who go for that tune don't care about any of their others.
Frankie Valli has another very cool 'banger', 'You're Gonna (Hurt Yourself)' on Smash.
I need a mint Four Seasons "Big Girls Don't Cry" 45 on Vee Jay if anyone is holding, must be Mint though, none of this VG+ rubbish. Anyways, I don't really ride for much Four Seasons but "Beggin" is cool, although I threw out the best part of a pressing plant box of unplayed copies about 5 years back because I couldn't even give them away, now it's selling again & I'm a bit bummed about that. I also ride for that other Frankie Valli thing on Smash "You're Ready Now", also massive on the soul scene.
But yeah, Bobby Vee, no one, I had Bobby Vee & The Crickets LP loosely filed at some point, but not now.
still ridden for by the white, male 50-something crowd, pretty much sold out here a couple years back, he is a god to these people. My friend's Dad has like a shrine to him in the hallway, mindblowing.
sounds pretty good too, Oldies AM & Classic RockRadio really have a way of killing a song
I've never heard "Beggin'" on oldies stations.
Yes, it was a Top 20 hit, but when you've had as many hits as the Four Seasons did, there's always going to be a second tier of hits that doesn't get exposed as often. Just like you'll hear these stations play the Temptations""My Girl" or "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," but they'll never spin "You're My Everything" or "Masterpiece."
The term No One is impossible to keep any band to, there will always be a new market for anything that has short term appeal because not everyone was paying attention when something came and went due to saturation.
Even so, there are some things which remain in their time.
Tom Jones was rediscovered by nineties hipsters, and he doesn't appear to be the dated joke he could have been.
Notice this hasn't happened to Engelbert Humperdinck, who had the same manager, same image, same record label, and may as well have been Tom Jones with the R&B influence removed.
I think Engelbert is still touring and still has rabid followers that will see him. He's not unloved by any means, but he doesn't have that "buzz" that Tom Jones has, that could bring in a new generation of fans.
Another example: why is Tony Bennett considered important while nobody ever talks about Vic Damone?
I'm not sure if I've ever heard this song on the radio (and I used to listen to the radio a whole, whole lot).
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pickwick33 said:
Another example: why is Tony Bennett considered important while nobody ever talks about Vic Damone?
I think a lot of people would argue that this is based upon artistic merits, did Vic Damone ever record an album with Bill Evans? Perhaps it's marketing, too, how many cities did Vic Damone leave his heart in? I can't really argue between the two, because I'm fairly indifferent to Tony Bennett and largely ignorant of Damone's canon. I think your point about Engelbert Humperdinck makes sense, though. Sensibilities change, once upon a time Liberace was considered a heterosexual sex symbol.
I'm not sure if I've ever heard this song on the radio (and I used to listen to the radio a whole, whole lot).
This was their first big hit, and if the surviving Pointers are still performing somewhere, I'm quite sure they couldn't leave the stage without doing this song.
The white oldies stations don't play this (even though it crossed over pop), but when I used to listen to "dusties" shows on black radio in the 80s and 90s, I used to hear this in regular rotation.
Another example: why is Tony Bennett considered important while nobody ever talks about Vic Damone?
I think a lot of people would argue that this is based upon artistic merits, did Vic Damone every record an album with Bill Evans? Perhaps it's marketing, too, how many cities did Vic Damone leave his heart in?
I think you're right. I'm not overly familiar with Damone, apart from knowing that he's more or less a contemporary of Bennett's from his era. But I do know that modern sensibilities are kinder to 1950's pop singers who lean in a jazzy direction. Bennett does this; Rosemary Clooney did too, in her last days. But I'm halfway sure that Damone didn't.
I know plenty of people who like them. Love them, even. Myself included. That was their only hit in the US but they're a favorite amongst mod revivalists.
Beggin' wasn't the only Four Seasons' track played in the northern scene. You're Ready Now was massive in the early days and The Night (on Mowest) was also very popular. I kinda like them both.
My pick would be Perry Como, I've never heard anybody even taking him seriously.
And probably Paul Anka. Although he had a hit on the northern scene too, with Can't Help Loving You.
sounds pretty good too, Oldies AM & Classic RockRadio really have a way of killing a song
I've never heard "Beggin'" on oldies stations.
Yes, it was a Top 20 hit, but when you've had as many hits as the Four Seasons did, there's always going to be a second tier of hits that doesn't get exposed as often. Just like you'll hear these stations play the Temptations""My Girl" or "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," but they'll never spin "You're My Everything" or "Masterpiece."
that was my point. Beggin is still listenable because is isn't one of hits that Oldies radio killed
Comments
I spun 'Beggin' (the Four Seasons OG) on Saturday night and the place went apeshit.
I have no idea what he is doing, but I would think he could have a good career on the Casino circuit.
Also Tommy James who had a knack for changing styles and coming up with hit songs.
Milli Vanilli are the Barry Bondseses of the music industry. Their achievements are so tainted, it will never be possible to objectively criticize "their" career. For the record, I always thought they sucked, but that's not a very bold position to take.
The term No One is impossible to keep any band to, there will always be a new market for anything that has short term appeal because not everyone was paying attention when something came and went due to saturation. I worked with a guy in 1998 who spun nothing but 80's pop compilations and didn't understand why I was less than enthusiastic about Golden Earring's Twilight Zone, which I had already heard to saturation on MTV in 1982 when I'd watch the network for hours after my 5th grade classes.
If we re-frame this question as what band enjoyed incredible short term success followed by accelerated obscurity due to the fact that no one could stand them anymore, I'd say in my personal experience it would be the Spin Doctors. In the middle of my college career (early 90's), they enjoyed a brief vogue where I heard them at every damn party I went to for about three months, followed by a strong backlash where people would rip the CD out of the player if it was put on. First time I ever saw a CD microwaved.
Comedy music acts enjoy a similar arc, when the joke is tired and the bands are judged on musical talent, bands like Dread Zeppelin and The Dead Milkmen began to lose their popular appeal at parties.
Beggin' is their one 'Northern Soul Banger' or whatever. The people who go for that tune don't care about any of their others.
sounds pretty good too, Oldies AM & Classic Rock Radio really have a way of killing a song
it's a miracle I can still listen to Zep without throwing up
Frankie Valli has another very cool 'banger', 'You're Gonna (Hurt Yourself)' on Smash.
fanclub president stuff
who on earth is into fucking Bobby Vee?
makes the Four Seasons seem hip
But yeah, Bobby Vee, no one, I had Bobby Vee & The Crickets LP loosely filed at some point, but not now.
I do. I large portion of it at least.
You weren't around in the early eighties, I see.
I've never heard "Beggin'" on oldies stations.
Yes, it was a Top 20 hit, but when you've had as many hits as the Four Seasons did, there's always going to be a second tier of hits that doesn't get exposed as often. Just like you'll hear these stations play the Temptations""My Girl" or "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," but they'll never spin "You're My Everything" or "Masterpiece."
Even so, there are some things which remain in their time.
Tom Jones was rediscovered by nineties hipsters, and he doesn't appear to be the dated joke he could have been.
Notice this hasn't happened to Engelbert Humperdinck, who had the same manager, same image, same record label, and may as well have been Tom Jones with the R&B influence removed.
I think Engelbert is still touring and still has rabid followers that will see him. He's not unloved by any means, but he doesn't have that "buzz" that Tom Jones has, that could bring in a new generation of fans.
Another example: why is Tony Bennett considered important while nobody ever talks about Vic Damone?
Not even "Yes We Can Can?"
I'm not sure if I've ever heard this song on the radio (and I used to listen to the radio a whole, whole lot).
I think a lot of people would argue that this is based upon artistic merits, did Vic Damone ever record an album with Bill Evans? Perhaps it's marketing, too, how many cities did Vic Damone leave his heart in? I can't really argue between the two, because I'm fairly indifferent to Tony Bennett and largely ignorant of Damone's canon. I think your point about Engelbert Humperdinck makes sense, though. Sensibilities change, once upon a time Liberace was considered a heterosexual sex symbol.
This was their first big hit, and if the surviving Pointers are still performing somewhere, I'm quite sure they couldn't leave the stage without doing this song.
The white oldies stations don't play this (even though it crossed over pop), but when I used to listen to "dusties" shows on black radio in the 80s and 90s, I used to hear this in regular rotation.
I think you're right. I'm not overly familiar with Damone, apart from knowing that he's more or less a contemporary of Bennett's from his era. But I do know that modern sensibilities are kinder to 1950's pop singers who lean in a jazzy direction. Bennett does this; Rosemary Clooney did too, in her last days. But I'm halfway sure that Damone didn't.
I know plenty of people who like them. Love them, even. Myself included. That was their only hit in the US but they're a favorite amongst mod revivalists.
Beggin' wasn't the only Four Seasons' track played in the northern scene. You're Ready Now was massive in the early days and The Night (on Mowest) was also very popular. I kinda like them both.
My pick would be Perry Como, I've never heard anybody even taking him seriously.
And probably Paul Anka. Although he had a hit on the northern scene too, with Can't Help Loving You.
peace, stein. . .
More like Matthew Sweet.
that was my point. Beggin is still listenable because is isn't one of hits that Oldies radio killed
Plus it apparently has "banger" appeal that none of their other songs do.