Frankie Valli

Born Francesco Stephen Castelluccio in Newark, New Jersey. His mother was a beer company designer. He fell in love with singing after his mother took him to see a Frank Sinatra concert at seven. He never took a singing lesson.

"Sherry" by The Four Seasons hits No. 1, their first single for Vee-Jay Records. Bob Gaudio wrote it in 15 minutes. It stays at the top for five weeks and sells over a million copies.

"Big Girls Don't Cry" goes to No. 1. Then "Walk Like a Man" in February 1963. Three consecutive No. 1 hits. The only group matching that pace in 1962-63 is the Beatles.

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is released as a solo single. Four different labels reject it before it finds a home. It reaches No. 2 and becomes one of the most covered songs in history.

Jersey Boys opens on Broadway, telling the story of the Four Seasons. It runs for 4,642 performances and wins four Tony Awards including Best Musical. Valli attends the premiere. He's 71.