Such sad, sad news to report that Joe Long passed away on the morning of 21 April age 88 and I know everyone reading this will be devastated by this news.
Frankie Valli told us “I spoke with Joe Tuesday and he sounded terrific. His passing is a big shock. He was a good friend and truly great addition to the Four Seasons family. I will really miss him”.
Joe had been in hospital with Covid and had been quite poorly but it did look like he was turning the corner and we were all optimistic that he would pull through. He was delighted to receive so many get well messages that were sent to him by his friends and fans and they really cheered him up.
Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to Joey, Kimberley, his family, friends and fans across the world.
He will be very much missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
Bob Gaudio sent this message:
“Joe personified a great musician and a loyal friend. His bass playing on “Who Loves You” is as memorable as he was. Rock on, Mr. Joe Long.” Bob Gaudio
This message was sent from Des McAnuff and Rick Elice:
"Joe Long made an extraordinary contribution to the Four Seasons during the group’s heyday. He is a huge part of their story and his loss is felt by the many fans of the Seasons and all of us who love rock n’ roll. Those of us who worked on Jersey Boys thought very highly of Joe and did our best to portray him in a respectful, loving way. In addition to being very talented, he was a truly nice guy. That means a great deal in Jersey and beyond. We miss you, Joe.” Des McAnuff and Rick Elice.
A message from Charlie Calello: "Our candles are lite for a very short period of time. If we have had an opportunity to live our lives making music and found joy in doing it, when we finally close our eyes, we will have known we left behind a smile for people to enjoy forever. We will miss you Joe!" - Charlie Calello
Joseph LaBracio – Everyone’s Favourite Season
Joe was born Joseph LaBracio on 5 September 1932 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the son of Joe Labracio and Mary Picaro. They were born in America but Joe’s grandparents were born in Italy. He went to Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth. He got involved in music when he was 6 years old after his father bought him an accordion and he also played piano. His father fell ill when Joe was 17 and so he had to forego college and go to work to support the family. He suffered a severe accident to his left hand when working at Singer Sewing Machines when a machine malfunctioned and his hand got caught in the machine. He spent 2 weeks in hospital waiting to see if the reconstruction surgery got back the circulation otherwise his hand would have to be amputated. Fortunately, he was able to keep his hand but with very limited use meaning he could no longer play the piano. So he bought himself a double bass and started formal lessons with Alfonse Strazza, the first bassist for the New York Philharmonic. However, his hand was not strong enough to play classical music and he switched to fender bass playing in his first band The Rockets and then The Accents.
He worked with Al and Jet Loring in 1965 in Vegas and it was then that he got a call from Tommy DeVito saying they were looking for a replacement for Nick Massi. Tommy had been told Joe played bass and had a gruff voice like Nick’s and “sounds like he has a cold all the time”! They met up in Belleville, New Jersey and the following week met up with Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio and they offered him the job.
His first show was at a University for around 6,500 people in West Virginia and on the day of the show Joe said he hadn’t had one rehearsal with Charlie Calello who was going to teach him all the parts and the songs but was told to “do the best you can”! Joe said he went out there “practically wetting my pants and did the show”! From that point they went into very serious rehearsing. There was always a lot of fun in the shows and Joe and Tommy formed an astounding relationship bouncing off each other with their ad-lib routines and the comedy in the shows got enhanced from that point on. Opus 17 was his first recording with the group followed by many more hits. He recorded four albums with the group “New Gold Hits” in 1967; “Genuine Imitation Life Gazette” in 1969; “Half & Half” in 1970 and “Chameleon” in 1972.
Joe played the UK for the first time in 1971 and said “The UK audiences are great. I just can't remember when I felt so much warmth coming up from an audience. I love the people, I love the country, I love the accent. I love the UK and if the weather wasn't so bloody awful, I'd probably be living there!”
Joe replaced Nick Massi in 1965 and sang and played bass guitar with the Four Seasons until 1975. After he left the Seasons he formed his own band LaBracio and also went to work as a programmer for Dunne & Bradstreet. He remained close friends with his former bandmates including Frankie Valli, Demetri Callas, Tommy DeVito and Bill DeLoach.
Joe was inducted into the New Jersey Hall Of Fame in 2018 and in 2014 was honoured at a street dedication ceremony where he grew up with High Street, Elizabeth being re-named Joe Long Way. On the day Joe said “You can take the boy out of Elizabeth but you can’t take Elizabeth out of the boy”. He lived at 230 High Street. A true Jersey Boy.
In recent years he was the Music Director for The Jersey Four, a Four Seasons tribute band.
Joe married twice, Laura in 1967 and Pam in 1978. He leaves two children Joey and Kimberley.
A life well lived by a man so loved. RIP Joe Long. Thank you for the music and thank you for the wonderful memories.
Who Loves You Live 1975:
Best Story Of Being With The Four Seasons By Joe Long "Come Fly With Me":
Tributes
“Joe was a total class act. This is a sad day in the Four Seasons Family.
Brilliant gentleman, class act, super talented, those are some of the words that come to mind when I think of my friend Joe Long. Truly one of the good guys in the music business, truly one of the icons in the history of the Four Seasons. I had been in touch with him the last few days, it looked like he was turning the corner and we were all optimistic. My sympathies and my prayers go out to his family, friends and fans. He will be missed”.
Robby Robinson
“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Joe Long. He was one of the earlier members of the group and his passing represents a big loss to the legacy of the Four Seasons. Condolences to his friends and family. Rest in peace, Joe”.
Lynn Hammann
“Sorry to hear about Joe’s passing. My condolences to your family”.
Richie Gajate
“He was the most gracious and kind man there was to us younger guys. A true gentleman and wonderful musician. RIP to Mr Joe Long and prayers go out to his family and loved ones”.
The Modern Gentlemen
“I wrote Joe when you wrote a few days ago that he was ill. He immediately answered saying he was good and sent his love. This is awful”.
John Paiva (former 4 Season)
There have been so many lovely messages for Joe’s family posted on the Facebook pages. You can read and leave messages here:
Frankie Valli Fans Facebook Page
Official Frankie Valli & Four Seasons Facebook Page
Joe Long Four Seasons Tribute Page
Here are just a few of them:
“It is with great sadness that we learned that our dear bandmate, Joe Long, has passed away. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans. We will miss Joe”.
Frankie Valli & Bob Gaudio
“Joe Long left us today.....time will show what he was and what he meant to us all. Without doubt our favourite Four Season for reasons that will become evident as we move forward. I have plans to celebrate aspects of how he was the man he was this summer. I feared such a happening and was glad I shared with him his first Motown recording with the Four Seasons “My Heart Cries Out For You” on which he performed. The forthcoming Box Set will feature his bass guitar lines like never before in both MONO and STEREO. A dear friend lost.
RIP Joe”.
Ken Charmer (UK Appreciation Society)
“So sad to learn of Joe Long’s recent passing. That virus is very bad and we all had hoped that Joe would survive but not to be. I recall seeing Joe once at the Sheffield Fiesta Club back in 1972 with his on-stage banter and jokes; the fans loved it. He was a key member of the group for 10 years and was associated with many of the group’s recordings and hits from 1965-75. May Jackie and I express our deep sympathy and condolences to Joe’s family. May he rest in peace”.
George and Jackie Ingram (U.K. Appreciation Society)
“I received this very sad news by my Facebook friend Lee Shapiro. This is really so sad, say goodbye to one of the great “Seasons”, wonderful musician, a true gentleman, class act, kind and sweet person. God bless him and his family and friends”.
Carlos Etzberger (Brazil)
“Further news in a sad day for the music world. Joe Long (born Labracio), who was the bassist in the Four Seasons from 1965-1975, passed away after a time in the hospital. He was with the Seasons throughout the final years of their first period of success and then through their Motown years and through the time they started to record the "Who Loves You" album. Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio decided to reshape the band during that period and Joe was squeezed out. He was a great musician. Listen to the bass line on tracks like "The Night" to see what I mean -- and a very nice guy with lots of time for those who enjoyed the music. Again, alongside Jim Steinman (who died two days before Joe did) we mourn a favourite musician’s passing.
Darren Hirst
“How sad is this news, a great man and a great guitarist. A posthumous induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame would be a fitting tribute to a man who played such an intricate part in the Four Seasons’ legacy”.
Peter Williams
“It's hard to find the words to say how one feels on Joe's passing. I always found him very obliging in any correspondence I had with him and will never forget the warmth and kindness he showed towards us at the Raleigh convention. May he Rest In Peace”.
Ray Nichol (UK Appreciation Society)
“I only saw Joe Long on the front cover of the ‘Genuine Imitation Life’ Album. Covid-19 is now catching people, in music I love. My condolences to Joe’s family. I have just learnt the Joe was a classically trained musician. Amazing”.
Keith Stevenson in Cornwall UK.
“Joe’s wonderful contribution to the Four Seasons’ story will always be treasured. A great musician and a fine human being. When I asked to meet him in Las Vegas in 2011 he not only agreed but insisted on coming to the hotel where Barbara and I were staying as we were strangers to the area. How thoughtful. We stayed in touch and never failed to exchange Christmas greetings. Truly a big man in town. Cherished memories. RIP”.
Philip Elms (England)
Happy memories of the times Joe spent with his fans in Raleigh and Las Vegas:
Raleigh Convention with Joe Long
Las Vegas Convention With Joe Long
Compiled With Much Sadness By Lynn Boleyn MBE
On behalf of the UK Appreciation Society
www.seasonally.co.uk
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