The hit men shook up guild hall for two back to back concerts on sunday evening at 7. That hit, oh, what a night december, 1963 was the four seasons biggest ever. The hit men tickets the hit men concert tickets and tour. Olivia polci makes concert debut with the hit men tonight. Gerry polci began his professional career at the age of 14, playing drums and singing at private parties and neighborhoods in a three. On the beat with gerry polci of frankie valli and the four seasons and the hit men. The beatles and golden hits of the four seasons, featuring each original. On the beat with gerry polci of frankie valli and the four. The hit men, a band that continues to perform classic rock songs at theaters, festivals and art centers including the bergen performing arts center, was born. Gary james interview with the four seasons gerry polci. The single was released in december 1975 and hit number one on the uk singles chart on february 21, 1976. The hit men includes musicians who sang, played and recorded with frankie valli and the four.
Jersey boys nostalgia fades, but the hit men play on. Drummer gerry polci, famous for his vocals on the four seasons hit december 1963 oh what a night, left the group last year. The hit men play music during a show thursday at the axelrod performing arts center in deal park, n. It was a joy to pass out the 15 drum pads gerry polci and i hand made in our garage so the kids could have practice pads to play at home. Olivia polci to make concert debut with the hit men, 1211. Gerry polci began his professional career at 14, playing drums. They may not be household names but back in the 70s, you bought all of their records. Soon after, he called fellow 4 season, gerry polci, who agreed that it was time to do it again and the hit men was formed. The hit men bill themselves as the original stars of frankie valli and the four seasons, and are behind such hits as oh, what a night, who loves you, and swearin to god. Toni valli, frankie vallis daughter, ron parker of wcbsfm, jimmy ryan and gerry polci attends the hit men performance at town hall on july 18, 20 in new york city.
This page is dedicated to the friends and fans of gerry polci with all respect and gratitude for sharing the journey of. The hit men will perform at the ridgefield playhouse on friday, march 22. I tour with the hit men on weekends and a lot of different days. So did individual musicians like barry manilow and elton john. He and drummer gerry polci the two youngest guys in the group expressed strong reservations about such a. Gerry polci and lee shapiro were key members of the four seasons during the 1970s and 80s. Don ciccone, also one of the four seasons in the 70s, helped form the hit men and performed with them until his death last year at age 70. Lee shapiro never takes it personally when fans refer to the musical quintet known as the hit men as another version of the wrecking crew. Gerry polci did about half of the lead vocals, sharing them with valli and one.
The hit men, a group of musicians and creative composers who played with those big names, are. Lee shapiro, jimmy ryan, larry gates, gerry polci and russ. The hit men, booked by mark sonder productions bring their concert tour to washington dc this sunday, may 31st. The calling card of the hit men is their decades of experience and musicianship honed while touring and recording with a who. Hey guyswhatever happened to your other lead singer. This group of musicians, producers, composers, arrangers and more has reunited to bring back classic hits the members have performed for decades.
The hit men have a contract out on staten islands center for the arts. Musicians in the group include include lee shapiro, don ciccone, gerry polci. Grand rapids symphony features music of frankie valli and. Many people consider the 60s and 70s the golden era of music. Mark sonder, chief entertainment officer at mark sonder productions entertainment agency, is delighted to be working with gerry polci and lee shapiro. Since 1970, they have also been known at times as frankie valli and the four seasons. Classic musicians unite to form the hit men the temple news. Lee shapiro, jimmy ryan, larry gates, gerry polci and russ velazquez of the hit men performs at town hall on july 18, 20 in new york city. Now the hit men are booking 50 soldout gigs a year and having the time of their lives. Classic musicians unite to form the hit men the temple. The hit men, whose show was presented saturday night in the santander performing arts center by pretzel city productions, reminded the enthusiastic audience of the joy, fun and immense creativity involved in the music of the 1960s and 70s. The hit men former members of frankie valli and the 4 seasons.
Musicians hall of fame to honor group with new jersey roots. This page is dedicated to the friends and fans of gerry polci with all respect and gratitude for sharing the journey of a drummers heart. The hit men legendary musicians on stage at the haugh performing arts center. Last year my sisters and i had such a great time attending a performance of jersey boys at keller auditorium in portland that when i saw some of the original four seasons had formed a new group called the hit men and were to perform at the three rivers casino over on the coast in florence, oregon i couldnt resist booking some tickets. Photo by kevin coughlin one of the evenings highlights came when ryan whose roots are in plainfield and westfield picked up an acoustic guitar and his. Don ciccone, also one of the four seasons in the 70s, helped form the hit men. The hit men tickets the hit men concert tickets and tour dates. December, 1963 oh, what a night is a song originally performed by the four seasons, written by original four seasons keyboard player bob gaudio and his future wife judy parker, produced by gaudio, and included on the groups album, who loves you 1975. The hit men with former members of frankie valli and the four seasons, tommy james and the shondells are. Power brokers and fast money inside the music business. The four seasons are an american rock and pop band that became internationally successful. The hit men play music during a show at the axelrod performing arts center, in deal park, n. Cd by fair lawns larry gates released year after his death.
During the 60s, 70s and 80s, groups such as frankie valli and the four seasons, and tommy james and the shondells enjoyed a lot of success. Polci and shapiro are two of the stars of the hit making. Special guest performer olivia polci, 21, the granddaughter of music star frankie valli and the daughter of gerry polci a member of the hit men, will make her solo performance debut with music. A ive been teaching in a public school while touring in the hit men for the last twenty years. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from gerry polci at the discogs marketplace. The hit men, a group of five musical experts, take its audience on a trip down memory lane, performing original hit music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Lee shapiro, gerry polci, jimmy ryan, larry gates and russ velazquez. In 1960, the band known as the four lovers evolved into the four seasons, with frankie valli as the lead singer, bob gaudio formerly of the royal teens on keyboards and tenor vocals, tommy devito. The hit men have a contract out on staten islands center. I got to work with joe porcaro years ago on a rita moreno date in l. The hit men in concert at three rivers in florence, oregon.
You might not know the names, but you know the sound. The lineage hes referring to is only partially revealed by her last name. And when you hear star drummer gerry polci sing oh what a night, he takes the audience back to. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images. The hit men are from left jimmy ryan, russ velazquez, lee shapiro, larry gates, and gerry polci. Long after frankie valli, the hit men are still making. The hit men includes musicians who sang, played and recorded with frankie valli and the four seasons. Five years after hitting the road to capitalize on the popularity of broadways jersey. Long after frankie valli, the hit men are still making music the. December, 1963 oh, what a night is a song originally performed by the four seasons. The song features drummer gerry polci on lead vocals, with frankie valli, the groups.
Tbt with joe porcaro, the world class drummer and percussionist. Olivias father, gerry polci, holds the distinction of being the only member of the four seasons, other than frankie valli, to have sung lead on a four seasons hit recording. Four years ago, lee shapiro, former member of frankie valli and the four seasons, called up his bandmate gerry polci with what shapiro. The hit men have toured around the country and have. The hit men bringing hit show to niacc mar 17, 2014. The hit men performing grease is the word with gerry polci on drum solo at bergen pac, englewood, nj. Lee shapiro and gerry polci are two of the original members of the four seasons. The hit men include keyboardist and group founder lee shapiro, lead guitaristvocalist jimmy ryan, bassistvocalist larry gates, vocalist russ velasquez and drummer gerry polci. Whats up after all these years since 1977, the worlds most widely read drum magazine. Frankie vallis granddaughter to make debut this thursday. The four seasons are an american rock and pop band that became internationally successful in the 1960s and 1970s. The hit men bring their concert tour to cape may convention hall, monday, june 30 at 8 pm. Power brokers and fast money inside the music business as want to read. His name is gerry polci and gerry talked to us about the four seasons, barry manilow, the hit men and teaching music.
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