Who was Nick Massi? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Nicholas E. Macioci

Died At Age: 73

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Margie Massi

children: Bobby Macioci, Nicky Macioci Jr., Patty Macioci

Born Country: United States

Bassists Guitarists

Died on: December 24, 2000

place of death: West Orange, New Jersey, United States

Cause of Death: Cancer

U.S. State: New Jersey

City: Newark, New Jersey

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Career

Nick Massi grew up in an Italian neighborhood of New Jersey where the majority of young men either joined the military or the local mob. Massi, after finishing his military service with the United States Army, decided to pursue a career in music. He joined local vocal groups and finally settled with the band The Four Lovers. During his time with the band, Massi met with Tommy DeVito, Frankie Valli, and Bob Gaudio. The four later changed the name of the band to ‘The Four Seasons’. Frankie Valli, the lead singer of the band was the center of attraction of the band along with Massi on the bass guitar.

The band released many top singles in the 1960s and 1970s which topped the Billboard charts. Massi was part of the band till September 1965 and helped the band release eight studio albums, including their debut album ‘Sherry & 11 Others’. The first two studio albums, ‘Sherry & 11 Others’ and ‘The 4 Seasons Greetings’, broke into the Billboard top 20 list. These were produced by the ‘Vee-Jay’ record label.

The first studio album produced two singles, ‘Sherry’ and ‘Big Girls Don't Cry’, that topped numerous charts in different countries. Although the album became very popular among the audience and featured two number one singles, ‘AllMusic’ gave the album a three out of five-star rating.

In 1963, the band’s single ‘Walk Like a Man’ reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart while the single ‘Dawn (Go Away)’ reached number three a year later. Massi again witnessed success with the band when the single ‘Rag Doll’ made it to the top spot on Billboard and ‘Save It for Me’ made the top 10 list. Before exiting the band, Massi performed in the single ‘Let's Hang On!’ which reached number three on Billboard in 1965. The band performed these popular songs several times across the country when Massi was still part of the band. After he left the band, Massi was briefly replaced by Charles Calello.

Massi, along with the three other members of the band, Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, and Bob Gaudio, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Nine years later, the group was honored again when they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame for their services to the industry.

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Family & Personal Life

Nick Massi was born in Newark, New Jersey, on September 19, 1927, and grew up in an Italian neighborhood. He was married to a lady named Margie and had three children, Bobby, Patty and Nicky Jr. He died of cancer in West Orange, New Jersey, on December 24, 2000.

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Nick Massi Biography