Following the sad news that Tommy DeVito, co-founder of the vocal group the Four Seasons, has died aged 92 after contracting Covid-19, we take a look back at his life and the New Jersey group.
Tommy's bandmates Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio announced the news on social media, sparking heartfelt tributes from friends and fans alike.
His friend actor Joe Pesci paid tribute. “The time he spent as part of the Four Seasons produced some of the most iconic music of that era and continues to inspire young musicians to this day. I will always remember him for his great voice and for the character that he was.”
Born in Belleville, New Jersey, the guitarist and singer was a founding member of the "doo-wop" group the Four Seasons, or Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, who delivered a string of hits in the 60s, and latterly inspired the musical Jersey Boys.
Tommy was the lead guitarist and sang baritone. In 1956 Frankie Valli joined DeVito’s fledgling group. In 1960, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi joined and the band named themselves the Four Seasons.
Two years later, they released their debut album, Sherry & 11 Others, which produced three No 1 singles.
From 1962 to 1964, the doo-wop group matched the Beach Boys for record sales in the US.
Tommy quit the band in April 1970, claiming he was tired of touring. However, it later emerged that due to gambling debts and tax bills he had exchanged his place in the group in return for Frankie and Bob absorbing his significant debts.
Their story would inspire the long-running musical Jersey Boys, which premiered in 2005. “It’s a classic American story,” said Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote the book alongside Rick Elice. “It’s rags to riches, and back to rags.” It was turned into a film in 2014.
Tommy was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Four Seasons were inducted into the hall in 1990. Nick Massi died in 2000 at the age of 73.
Tommy died in hospital in Las Vegas on Monday 21 September 2020 after being admitted with coronavirus.
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