Gerry Polci was in my graduating class of 1970 at Passaic High School in NJ. He was so talented back then. I was thrilled when I learned he was the new drummer for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I reunited with him in Maryland when he was with his successful band The Hitmen. Gerry is back performing and killing it!
I can think of many drummers who sang and they all have great voices , one example is the drummer from " paper lace " the song (Billy don't be a hero) ..
Gerry Polci had a tough act to follow, but did so effortlessly. He could also sing while playing drums live, so he should have been a big star in his own right. It is not a just world.
Someone saw him as competition for lead ... did you see his harmony in 1974 Midnight Special to Frnkie's My Eyes Adored You, damn, it's hard not to notice it - he gave the song that kick and punch - best rendition of My Eyes Adored You was when he did the harmony
I've often thought the same about bass players, as the rhythm they're singing at can be (and often is?) quite different from what they're playing on the bass. That's one of the things I've always admired about Geddy Lee's bass playing, for instance. So many others who could be mentioned as well....Paul McCartney is yet another.
I saw these guys when I was 17. Frankie got me up to dance with him. Unfortunately I was about 6 inches taller than him. I don’t know who laughed the most. Bless him!
Wow, actually live performance. No lip singing, no autotune... people playing their own instruments. That was so cool of the Midnight Specials. Today's performers would crap their pants if they were told to sing it live.
Jon Lanier The Midnight Special was great...live performances and a wide variety of music. More bands could do play live now but most would suck with vocals or sound.
No question that Gerry Polci was great as the prime lead on this monster hit, but, I would bet that it was Frankie who made the decision to put him in that position. It was an excellent decision, of course, and Gerry deserves all of the many kind comments made here!
His name is Gerry Polci. He did a great job on that one, and he also does a great job singing "Silver Star," a later Seasons hit. But look at Valli up there acting like he's the star of the show! Another point ... in the 1980s Polci played drums and sang harmony in a Los Angeles band called "20X," which was led by the late songwriter Eric Lowen, best known for writing the Pat Benetar hit "We Belong." But I think Lowen's best song was one called "The Angry Man," which he sang in 20X. I'm not sure if it's on RU-vid, but it's worth looking for.
@@ElliottMichaels56 I don't think he's acting like he's anything he isn't, he's just in the front, why do you think so? Because he IS the frontman. Listen, i love Gaudio, i love Ciccone, i love Polci, but don't downplay the importance of Valli to the group, he is a legend.
@@BeeMarzipan Oh, believe me, I know what a super-talent Valli is. I just believe in giving credit where credit is warranted. But whenever and wherever "December 1963" shows up on a compilation album, they always credit it as "The Four Seasons featuring Frankie Valli," when I believe that in this case it should be billed as "The Four Seasons featuring Gerry Polci."
Love this song. Gerry is really rocking it out here. He a fabulous drummer and singer. Could watch him play the drums all night. What a talent!!!!!!!!!!
@@robertroudi5879 All I know is I forgot all about past lovers - and every other man on the planet too - the second I laid eyes on Gerry Polci 💞 Va va voom!! I've been mesmerized ever since lol😍. He's such an immensely talented and gifted musician...love everything about the guy!
Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, etc,..., my favorite artists of all time. My favorite song of all time ---> this one, "December, 1963." Man, Bob Gaudio and his wife Judy Parker wrote a fantastic pop song. The Four Seasons putting out this classic, couldn't be any better. Love it.
I watched it that night. The guys were interviewed onstage before they performed. Frankie and the group were so nice and gracious. I will never forget.
This always cheers me up..brilliant arrangement, talent & the drummer so adorable and great! The song reminds me of when I was a child buying my first pair of "bell bottom" jeans-this was playing in the shop!
When I listen to the drums - the hi-hats, syncopations etc (not an expert, not sure if that's right) - my brain is in awe of anyone who can do that so effortlessly AND sing at the same time. Flawlessly. Live.
Another drummer that sang a song while Drummond was from the eagles when they did hotel California the drummer also sang that song check it sometime you'll love it Vicky it's really cool
I think this is my favorite live performance ever caught on video by The four seasons funky drumming and singing,..l love it, and Frankie's voice & unique face are awesome as always. 😎👍🇺🇸
If I was born when I was 'supposed' to be, when my mother was younger, I would have done anything to be with Gerry. He is so alluring. I can't help but stare at him and hit repeat several times every day.
None of the original seasons are in the disco song. Only Frankie who was made to stand around while Polci sang. And Ciccone was singing out of pitch. No Gaudio, no Devito and no Massi. This is not the 4 Seasons.
I'm shocked! I never realized Frankie Valli had so little vocal input in this classic song! I thought the verses were all him and definitely the falsetto part. 😮
I remember seeing this ! RIP, Don Ciccone ------------& any & all other " 4 Seasons " who have left us. ------The 70's Rule. --------------------------------MJL, 74 y/o
Pretty sure this is the best performance ever of this song ... Gerry sounds incredible -- both his voice and the drums ... Prove me wrong + make me happy by pointing me at a version you think is better!
Just for the record also: singer - Don Ciccone singer - John Pavia Don sings lead on the "I felt a rush like a rolling ball of thunder" part, and John actually adds a fourth solo vocal on the high "Oh what a night" as Don is ending and Gerry is about to start again, and throughout the fade while the others are doing the "doo doo doos", it's John alone singing the line "Oh what a night" all by himself. It's that way on the record as well as the live performances. So actually four lead vocalists on this song!
frankie vallee rocks in my book, nothing but respect for him. made this band what it was and IS and paid off a half million in gambling debt that belonged to his band mate rather than let the guy get messed up -or killed -by loan sharks. if what's in the movie "jersey boys" is true then frankie's awesome.
And don't forget Bob Gaudio's writing of all the hits-he's a musical genius; Frankie would not have gotten where he is. Saw Jersey Boys, and the story is in the musical, about his friend's debt. I enjoy his talent, and without Frankie, Bob Gaudio would not have had the success either.
The movie does not tell the real story!!!!!! It's a MOVIE!!!!! But for you info. The debts weren't all the result of Tommy's gambling. Yes he got into trouble. But THAT is only PART of the bands woes. The movie (forgot) to mention GILG. A record that upset the PHILLIPS record contract. Bob Gaudio's BOO BOO. That is why they left PHILLIPS records. When Barry Gordy of MOTOWN records took them on. It was then Tommy moved on.
Gracias Bob.. Solo conocía el video oficial.. estos videos nos ayudan a disfrutar a las bandas de nuestra juventud y de presentes juventudes aun más y desde otros ángulos. Thanks Bob. I only knew the oficial video. . These videos help us enjoy the bands of our youth and present youths even more and from other angles. I just loved the Four Seasons back then .. and still do
