[msb-alumni] Don Ciccone, Singer for The Critters and the Four Seasons, Dies at 70
- From: Steve <pipeguy920@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:35:46 -0400
BlankJudging from one of the callers on TalkTalk last night about him, his
death
was suddenand unexpected. Also, he was working on an autobiography which
hopefully will be published posthumously.
Don Ciccone
1946 - 2016 Obituary
Condolences
Don Ciccone (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)
Don Ciccone, a singer-songwriter who was a member of the Four Seasons, the
Shondells, and the Critters, died Saturday, according to his daughter. He was
70.
Born in New Jersey, Ciccone was a founding member of the Critters, who had
minor
hits in the 1960s and helped the American front hold its own during the
British Invasion years. Their "Mr. Dieingly Sad," written by Ciccone, and
"Younger Girl" both made their way to the Billboard charts.
After his time with the Critters, Ciccone joined the U.S. Air Force, serving
during the Vietnam War. After the war, he was tapped by Frankie Valli to join
the Four Seasons, where he played guitar and bass. He also contributed lead
vocals to songs including "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" and "Rhapsody."
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After leaving the Four Seasons in 1981, Ciccone began touring with Tommy James
&
the Shondells as their bassist and musical director, remaining on until
1987. Later in life, Ciccone pursued a solo recording career, recording albums
including "Lost & Found."
Ciccone is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and his two children, Marli and
D'Arcey.
Biography:
Introduction
Born in New Jersey, Don began performing as a musician at age 14.
His first single, "The Only Girl," appeared on an entrprenuerial venture of
Don's called Speedway Records -- now a collector's item.
During the British Invasion of the 1960's, the Top 10 songs of three
All-American groups consistently cut through the competition with
history-making
hits.
The Critters, Tommy James & The Shondells and Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
each had that chart-topping talent in common. They had one other thing in
common: Singer-Songwriter, Don Ciccone.
Read on to learn how Don enjoyed the success of over 40 hits and over 100
million records sold.
The Critters
(lead singer/writer)
(From Wikipedia) The group formed in New Jersey in 1964 when singer-guitarist
Don Ciccone and saxophonist Bob Podstawski joined a local group called The
Vibratones, comprised of Jim Ryan (lead guitar), Ken Gorka (bass), Jack Decker
(drums), and Chris Darway (keyboards). They named themselves The Critters
in emulation of similar band names like The Animals. Originally signed to
Musicor Records by Jimmy Radcliffe, who also produced their first release
"Georgianna"
backed with "I'm Gonna Give" in 1964 they eventually signed with Kapp Records,
and, in 1964, recorded John Sebastian's song "Younger Girl" for their first
release. The song was selected for the band by Kama Sutra Prodiuctions'
producer
Artie Ripp. However, because Ciccone, Ryan and Podstawski were then all
accepted at Villanova University, the record was not completed until late 1965.
"Younger Girl" became a minor pop hit in early 1966, and reached #38 in the UK
Singles Chart in July that year. It was followed by Ciccone's song "Mr.
Dieingly Sad", which reached #17 later in the year. The group had their final
chart hit with "Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me" in 1967, hitting #39.
After recording several singles and one album (Younger Girl), the original band
split up when Podstawski, Ciccone and Decker joined the armed services
during the Viernam crisis and Darway left for art college. Later, Ryan recorded
and toured with Carly Simon before working as a studio guitarist. Frankie
Valli invited Ciccone to become one of The Four Seasons.10 years and several
gold records later, Ciccone toured with Tommy James and the Shondells.
Decades later, Don Ciccone was asked to join the band Skeezix. Tommy James
suggested that he rename that group The Critters. That band included Albert
Miller, Lenny Rocco and Milt Koster. Their repertoire included classic hits
from
all the hit bands Ciccone was involved with (including a slightly retitled
"Mr. Dyingly Sad"), as well as original material. The new Critters recorded an
album, "Timepieces," which includes the updated "Mr. Dyingly Sad" and a
new version of "Younger Girl." "Timepieces" is available on
CDBaby.com.
The Four Seasons
(originally lead guitarist, then bassist)
From Wikipedia: While the hits for the Four Seasons had dried up in the first
half of the 1970s, the group never lost its popularity as a performing act.
Longtime member Joe Long stayed in the group until 1975. The new lineup boasted
two new lead singers in Don Ciccone (formerly of the Critters) and Gerry
Polci.
From a recent Rock Cellar Magazine interview: Frankie Valli said "the thing
that
really started it for us was I had hits one after the other with My Eyes
Adored You and Swearin’ to God. Then Mike Curb [Warner Bros.] was very
interested in doing stuff with us. We did Who Loves You and December 1963.
Originally,
I didn’t sing on Who Loves You. Originally, Bob Gaudio had Don Ciccone doing
it.
Don came from a very successful group, The Critters ..."
(click here
to read the full article).
From Wikipedia: The album Who Loves You became a surprise million-seller for
the
group, as it was the first Four Seasons album to prominently feature lead
vocals by anyone other than Valli. "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" had
Ciccone featured on specific sections. The success of Who Loves You increased
the popularity of the Four Seasons as a touring group and reignited the
recording unit. The new record yielded a USA single, "Down the Hall", which hit
the Hot 100. In the UK they had chart hits with both "Down The Hall" and
"Rhapsody" (with verses sung by Don Ciccone and Valli appearing to notable
effect
only as lead voice over group harmonies on the chorus). 1977's Helicon album
was
released by Warner Bros and saw Polci and Ciccone heavily featured as
lead vocalists.
Tommy James & the Shondells
(Bassist / Musical Director)
After his stint in the Four Seasons, Tommy asked Don to tour with him as one of
the Shondells and to be his Musical Director, performing music that is
still heard on radio, television or in film soundtracks everyday, in every
country in the world. The band has sold over 100 million records and has been
awarded 23 gold singles plus nine gold and platinum albums, two No. 1 singles
in
the U.S. — "Hanky Panky" (1966) and "Crimson and Clover" (1969) — and
also charted twelve other Top 40 hits, including five in the top ten: "I Think
We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", and "Crystal
Blue Persuasion." Don Ciccone left the band in 1987 and pursued a solo record
career in Japan.
Solo Artist:
(Songs & Stories)
Don has created & performs his "SONGS & STORIES" show -- sometimes comedic,
sometimes serious and best described as a journey through his colorful life
of success in the record industry.
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- » [msb-alumni] Don Ciccone, Singer for The Critters and the Four Seasons, Dies at 70 - Steve
