Seasons's Connections - Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell

 

As anyone who has taken a slight interest in the credits on the 4 Seasons album knows, Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer had a big contribution to the success that came their way from 1964 to 1966. And whilst Sandy has taken a quiet role in communicating this on the www Denny has a very strong and entertaining presence.

Charles Calello interviews would challenge and perhaps contradict Wikipedia’s bio and the assertion that Al Kasha brought these two together for as we read it Charlie met Sandy and introduced him to Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio because he saw talent in the young writer’s lyrics. Denny Randell had been trying to get into producing records during 1963 and early 1964 and did several demo’s with Jean and Don Thomas young writers/session members like him at Shapiro Bernstein and Bob Crewe heard of him through this role. Although as Denny recalls it was Al Kasha who introduced him to Bob Gaudio. It is clear Bob Crewe brought them together and to prominence as 4 Seasons writers and that connection runs through much of their music as does their association with Charles Calello. Whilst Sandy has 422 contributions to titles in the BMI database it is Denny (with only 377) who has ensured his music is best promoted on the WWW.

His web site is one of the best and most entertaining on the internet to feature music from the last 50 years. Whilst he only actually features 8 songs he wrote and recorded with Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons, he arranged and conducted another 6. Perhaps his departure(with Sandy Linzer) from the Bob Crewe fold in Spring 1966 was premature, but his talent continued to shine through with a wide range of songs and artists as his music page shows. It features an A to Z of 148 songs

From female and group pop to Northern Soul and disco...this is a great playlist.

With such anthems from Wigan Casino as…

Plus this classic by Barbara Lewis also recorded by Little Patti..

The set offers a look beyond Linzer-Randell’s initial Four Seasons brilliant success to their work as key writers of the period. Their work with The Toy’s and The Rag Dolls is legendary.

 

The Rag Dolls last single......

Bob Crewe’s creation of The Rag Dolls with Linzer and Randell and vocalist Jean Thomas makes a fascinating read……..click this link for the free pdf at Jean’s web site.

And 80s stars Odyssey owe their success to the writing duo…and Charles Calello-(sorry Frankie their version is the best!!)

If you are a fan of The Four Seasons then Linzer and Randell are at the core of your music likes.

The Songwriters Hall Of Fame surely beckons them soon?

Casey Chameleon

Comments

[Ken Charmer]

Checking with Charlie Calleo....
I am not sure of Al Kasha's work during 63 and 64 as I don't have his biography books and Wikipedia lacks timeline.
I do know Denny Randell worked with Jean and Don Thomas at Shapiro Bernstein and we have got a few of his demos and 45 sides from then. I assumed that Bob Crewe heard of him as he did Jean Thomas in the close-knit community of the Brill Building and the studios. So are you saying that you brought Denny to Bob's attention as you did with Sandy?
CHARLIE
I HAD THE CONTACT WITH AL KASHA. HIS BROTHER PRODUCED A MOVIE THAT I SCORED AND I ARRANGED FOR HE AND GAUDIO TO WRITE THE SONGS FOR THAT MOVIE, SO I INTRODUCED GAUDIO TO KASHA. DURING THAT PERIOD I MET DENNY. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIM EXCEPT HE WAS WORKING OUT OF KASHA'S OFFICE. ON ONE OF MY MEETINGS TO ARRANGE A PROJECT FOR KASHA I BROUGHT SANDY. WHILE I WAS MEETING WITH AL, SANDY HOOKED UP WITH DENNY. SINCE SANDY WAS SIGNED TO CREWE AS A WRITER, SANDY AND DENNY STARTED WRITING AT CREWE'S OFFICE AND THAT'S HOW CREWE BECAME AWARE OF DENNY.

[Ray Ricci]

I don't recall Denny ever writing with Gaudio..could be wrong, but I find that interesting.

Denny certainly filled the void during the mid 60's when Gaudio seemed to run dry.

Also, I find it interesting that Gaudio and Calello took on that movie soundtrack (Who Killed Teady Bear?)at a point when the Seasons were very much popular. To me it shows how two guys just in their early twenties wanted to branch out. Calello living his dream as a conductor/arranger and Gaudio who I think just wanted to be a songwriter.