Joe Long
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Joe Long | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Joseph Louis LaBracio |
Born | [1] Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. | September 5, 1932
Died | April 21, 2021 Long Beach Township, New Jersey, U.S. | (aged 88)
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Bass guitar, vocals |
Formerly of | The Four Seasons |
Joseph Louis LaBracio (September 5, 1932 – April 21, 2021), better known by his stage name Joe Long, was an American musician. He was best known as the bass guitarist for the Four Seasons.
Life and career
Long was a classically trained musician who studied with Alfonse Strazza, the principal bassist for the
He continued to record, perform and tour with The Four Seasons through the mid-1970s, with his last work being their comeback hit "Who Loves You."[3] Long's departure from the group came with some contention; Long recalled that though lead singer Frankie Valli remained loyal to him (unsuccessfully lobbying for Long to be included in the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and hiring him to emcee occasional Four Seasons shows), the new members of the band (Lee Shapiro, Gerry Polci and Don Ciccone) and an unnamed member of the backing band (possibly John Paiva, who was immediately promoted to the main lineup after Long's departure), convinced producer and band co-owner Bob Gaudio to force Long out, claiming that the group was being held back due to Long's hand injury and quirky sense of humor.[5] Long also stated that he had asked for a larger cut of The Four Seasons' profits given his role in the band but that, contrary to a claim by the Seasons' attorney, he had not given Valli or Gaudio an ultimatum.[5] Long had also shown dissatisfaction with the new material (much of it co-written by Gaudio's new girlfriend Judy Parker) because it was straying too far from the group's core sound, commenting that when "Uptown Girl" became a hit for Billy Joel, Long felt vindicated in his stance.[6]
After leaving the group, Long formed the rock 'n roll group LaBracio and later the
Long was inducted, along with DeVito, Gaudio and Massi, into the New Jersey Hall of Fame as members of the Four Seasons in 2017 (Valli had already been inducted in 2010).[8] The inclusion of Long in the New Jersey Hall of Fame lineup was partial redemption, as he held ill feelings toward the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for excluding him in its induction of the Four Seasons.[6]
Long died from complications of COVID-19 on April 21, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey.[2][9]
References
- ^ "'Jersey Boy' Visits St. Bart's Italian Festival as Joe Long of The Four Seasons Takes the Stage". TAPinto. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ a b Jordan, Chris. "Joe Long, Four Seasons bassist and Elizabeth native, has died". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Trevelise, Steve (21 February 2019). "Joe Long dishes on 'Jersey Boys,' time with the Four Seasons". WKXW. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ McGuire, Colin (16 January 2020). "'He was built like a superhero': Local legend 'Penny' Callas dies". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ a b Miller, Stuart (2004). Joe Long: His Story. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Nj.com. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "JBB EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Joe Long–Part Three!". Jerseyboysblog.com. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "New Jersey Hall of Fame - 2017 Inductees". New Jersey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ Bobby Olivier (21 April 2021). "Joe Long, ex-Four Seasons member and N.J. native, dies from COVID". Nj.com. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
External links
- Joe Long at IMDb
- Joe Long discography at Discogs
- Joe Long Tribute Evening, Baldoria's, New York City 5/28/06
- Interview: Joe Long: His Story
- The Jersey Boys 2006 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical
- Jersey Boys Blog Exclusive Interview 11/20/07 (Part1)
- Jersey Boys Blog Exclusive Interview 11/20/07 (Part2)
- Jersey Boys Blog Exclusive Interview 11/20/07 (Part3)