“Why Charles Calello and I Always Argue” by Ken Charmer
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“Why Charles Calello and I Always Argue” by Ken Charmer Trying to identify who did what in the creation of The Four Seasons sound has always been a focus of this group’s research and so going to Charles Calello for some answers would be a good starting place, or so I thought. The Tony Awards have been made, the dust has settled and I thought I could ask him how does he see this event and the happenings of the last 9 months? Have the Four Seasons and their music really achieved artistic credit and recognition as a result of this play on Broadway? And who made the Seasons sound the success Four Seasons tracks the group stories about how I played a MA- it was and is all over again played. However, when the music JOR part in making artists careers Charles told us….” One of the rea- became more demanding and the soar; Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil sons the Seasons and groups like product needed to be produced to Diamond, Barbra Streisand, David us didn't reach the main stream a higher level, if Tommy and Geffin, Lou Christy, Juice Newton was because we manufactured our Nickie had continued to play on the and Lorrie Morgan are some of the records, they weren't from an records we would never have been other stories. It would have been ‘organic’ place. Sort of like the able to make Dawn, Let's Hang On, nice if I was displayed for my con- Backstreet Boys today! Although Working My Way Back to You and tribution to the success of the 4 they are all good singers they are a many of the other classics that be- Seasons but my participation "pop" band and in a world of Rock came a part of our history “ would not have made the show any and Roll, Pop only cuts it for the With regard to his small part in the more successful. When a story is kids.” story of Jersey Boys he told me…. told especially by 5 people they tell Surely not I argued the music you ”The 4 Seasons (the original 4 it like they remember it. I'm just guys created is terrific……. guys that made Sherry and Big glad I'm mentioned at all. Charles again….on the early days Girls) are the ones in the 'Rock & The success of Jersey Boys, after with Bob Crewe and the Seasons…… Roll Hall of Fame.’ Although I was seeing it 5 times, is the story. The “In terms of the industry I certainly involved in making the records I book is compelling. They don't feel Bob Crewe has not received was NOT one of the original 4 Sea- play a 4 Seasons song until 40 min- the recognition he truly deserves, sons. The Jersey Boys story is a utes into the show and by that time however, this has always been an great vehicle for telling the story of they have you. The "hits" only en- industry of image and the type of how these 4 guys made it and what hance the show but the story - - - records we made, although they happened to their lives. Somebody that's the real hit. Of course, the were great, for their day and they had to do what I did, writing the music, being introduced to a do have their place in history, we arrangements and helping them to new audience is being greatly ac- were not really trend setters such make the records. I am grateful it cepted because the show is so as the records of the Beatles, The was me!! Frankie and Bobby spent good. You'll be interested to know Stones and Motown were. We there lives as 4 Seasons and own- that in the show they also relate as made great manufactured hits. Bob ing the band. I was just there doing to why they never became bigger Crewe had the right idea, always my job. I know they respected what then they became and the answer having his (house) band (The pre- I did and I know in my heart I is similar to my statement above.” Four Seasons) sing backing on the played a MAJOR part but - - I was OK I said…. If portrayed correctly it records so he could create the not one of the original 4 Seasons seems likely Bob Crewe would have sound he wanted. That did happen and that's what the show is matched the roles of the individual in the early days and on the early about. My life is filled with similar Seasons and this would probably have damaged the and Gaudio come into play structure and the writing room and storyline. The stars said, "What’s that?" I of the play had to be said I'm working on the Four Seasons. "Dawn." It blew them So we agree that the away. In 10 minutes I had story is the key and come up with the basic (although not accu- figure that was the glue rate) it had to be bal- to the song and the bell anced and set sound that became part around the Sea- of the Seasons' sound sons..... but how can for the next few years. I you be so dismissive changed all the of the music’s qual- chords, wrote the whole ity as just tone scale rise at the end 'manufactured pop' of the bridge and wrote as you have de- all the instrumental parts scribed it ......I don't in around an hour. The think I can see it that next day I made my way .......and as for "first" Calello track for your contribu- the 4 Seasons. Although tion........On the one my input was important hand you describe Crewe and Valli in the studio rehearsing ‘Can’t Take My on the other records I your role Eyes Of You’. Photo courtesy of George Showerer worked on, "Dawn" was as ........"Somebody the first record I felt I had to do what I did, really made the track and writing the arrangements and to create the quality that you controlled the musical taste of helping them to make the re- achieved. Let me just remind you the record. cords. I am grateful it was of what you told me a little while me!!....I was just there doing my ago…. Another record I really loved job.”…. Yet you also acknowledge “Although I was working on the was "Let's Hang On." I had the the importance of your role ....."I 4 Seasons records, I really didn't "Satisfaction" fuzz guitar sound know they respected what I did have a chance to have complete on the intro. I not only wrote the and I know in my heart I played a input until "Dawn." In the begin- arrangement for the band but MAJOR part" ning I was there mainly because also wrote the vocal parts. The But we know you played a MAJOR I knew how to write music and I Seasons were in Atlantic City part and we want it to be part of the worked with Gaudio writing the performing and after we made history. The real story not the play. arrangements together. the track, Denny Randell took Will the record ever be put "Dawn" was originally written the vocal part down to them to straight? with a totally different feel then teach them the song. The intro I and many other dedicated collec- what's on the record. How that was added when the guys came tors believe this play has changed happened was, Frankie Valli and into town to do the vocal. The history’s perception of the Four I were in a car when "More," the intro was also good; I think it Seasons and their music. The im- Kai Winding record came on. was Crewe's idea. The cool part plications for the group and the Frankie said, "that's the kind of about the instrumental is, portrayal of their contribution to feel we need on our next ses- I basically wrote the melody of 60’s music folk-lore cannot be ex- sion," which was in two days. "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine,” aggerated. The perception of their When we recorded "Dawn," we which we had recorded a few music has changed for all-time. recorded 5 other songs on the months earlier. I didn't realize it Our perception and appreciation of same date. I usually worked on until I heard it on the radio. An- it has changed. And this has oc- the arrangements with Gaudio other record I was proud of was curred almost over-night. Now that the day before the sessions and "Working My Way Back To I know a bit more of the 'story' from the night before the sessions, You." the play, like many original fans of when it came to "Dawn" I asked Gaudio, actually got the idea for the music in my teens, I listen to Gaudio to give me around 10 Rag Doll from Sandy Linzer and the music with perhaps more re- minutes as I felt the song wasn't Denny Randell. He and spect for what the Seasons went happening. After around 10 min- Denny were writing in one of the through....and I see the contribu- utes Frankie, who was sleeping writing rooms at Crewe's office tion of you, Bob Crewe and others on one of the desks in Crewe's and Gaudio popped in. He asked as being the teamwork necessary office jumped up and both he what they were working on so they played him the song.