Tommy DeVito Biography – Tommy DeVito Wiki

Tommy DeVito (born Gaetano DeVito) was an American musician and singer best known as a founding member, baritone vocalist, and lead guitarist of the rock band The Four Seasons. He joined with Valli to form the Four Lovers in 1954 and founded the Four Seasons in 1960.

He was in the famed group alongside Frankie Valli, Nick Valli, and Hank Majewski. By 1962, the group topped the charts with its hit “Sherry,” written by Gaudio. The Four Seasons followed “Sherry” with such hits as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” “Candy Girl,” “Dawn (Go Away), “Let’s Hang On” and “Working My Way Back to You.”

DeVito left the group in 1970, publicly blaming a hearing problem for his departure. In reality, gambling debts to loan sharks and tax issues were behind his exit, with Valli and Gaudio reportedly assuming his debts and buying him out of the group, according to Deadline.

His troubles, his strained friendships within the band, would become a central storyline in Jersey Boys, the long-running Broadway musical with songs by Gaudio and Crew and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. DeVito was played by Christian Hoff in the original Broadway cast, and Vincent Piazza in Clint Eastwood’s 2014 film adaptation.

DeVito was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the fellow Four Seasons, Valli, Gaudio, and Nick Massi, in 1990.

Tommy DeVito Age

Tommy DeVito was born on June 19, 1928, in Belleville, New Jersey, United States. He died on September 21, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 92.