About this column:
A look at the giants in the music industry who had their roots in New Jersey.
With 29 records in the Billboard Top 40 -- including five number one hits -- Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons rank near the top of the list when it comes to New Jersey music icons. The group, formed in Newark in 1956 as the Four Lovers, first charted in 1962 with the release of Sherry -- which spent five weeks at number one -- an amazing feat for a debut group. Less than two months later, their distinctive sound landed Big Girls Don't Cry in the top Billboard spot for another five weeks. As a comparison, the Monkees first two releases -- Last Train to Clarksville (one week) and I'm A …
