NUMBER ONE FLASHBACK

The number one song in America during this week in 1976 was "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by the Four Seasons. It remained at that spot for three weeks and became the popular group's fifth chart-topper.

The original Four Seasons (made up of Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli) first reached the top of the charts together with "Sherry" in 1961 and, despite a few personnel changes, rode a wave of hit songs throughout the rest of the decade. This featured the classic tunes like "Let's Hang On", "Working My Way Back to You", "Dawn (Go Away)", "Rag Doll" and "Walk Like a Man".

By 1969, the easy-listening, vocal harmonies of the Four Seasons fell out of favor for harder-edged, socially-conscious rock that began to take over the music scene. The Four Seasons struggled with their recording career as they went through several labels (including a brief time at Motown) during the early '70's but had no luck with their music hitting the charts. That all changed in 1975 when lead vocalist, Frankie Valli had a solo number one hit with "My Eyes Adored You" while the Four Seasons reached the top five on the pop chart with "Who Loves You".

Then the following year, the band made a comeback to the top of the charts with a song co-written by member Bob Gaudio and wife, Judy Parker. Disco was just beginning to emerge in popular music and together with the band's slick harmonies and the song's romantic lyrics made "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" irresistible. This would be the last major hit for Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons but thanks to the very successful 2005 Broadway musical, "Jersey Boys", a new generation of fans were introduced to this sensational group.

"December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" - The Four Seasons (1976) mp3