Bob Gaudio

Robert John Gaudio (born November 17, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer, best known mainly as the keyboardist and backing vocalist of the 1960s pop rock band The Four Seasons. Gaudio wrote or co-wrote the vast majority of the group's music, including hits like "Sherry" and "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)", as well as "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" for Frankie Valli. Though he no longer performs with the band, Gaudio and lead singer Valli remain co-owners of "the Four Seasons" brand.

Born in The Bronx, New York, Gaudio was raised in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where he attended Bergenfield High School. His mother worked for the publishing house Prentice Hall and his father in a paper factory. He showed an interest in music and studied piano with Sal Mosca.

He grew up in more comfortable middle-class surroundings than the other members of the Four Seasons, which caused some tension and differences early on. He was a cerebral person, interested in reading and learning. He stayed out of trouble and had a mild manner, which proved useful during negotiations throughout his career.

He rose to musical fame at the age of 15 as a member of The Royal Teens, for whom he co-wrote the hit "Short Shorts". In 1958, while he and the group were promoting the single, they met Frankie Valli and his group The Four Lovers as they prepared to perform on a local television program. Wearying of touring, Gaudio left the Royal Teens soon afterward.

One year after he ceased touring, Gaudio joined the Four Lovers. While commercial success was elusive, the group was kept busy with session work (with Bob Crewe as the record producer), and a string of performances at night clubs and lounges.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.