A Breath of Fresh Air August 26

Lee Shapiro is a keyboardist, arranger, and songwriter best known for his years with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons during the group’s big 1970s comeback. Born in Passaic, New Jersey in 1953 and raised in Glen Rock, Shapiro was a natural talent at the piano. By his teens he was arranging music and leading a big band, which caught the attention of the Four Seasons’ team. At just 19, he joined the group as keyboardist and musical director, stepping into the role once held by Bob Gaudio.

During his seven years with the band, Shapiro helped shape some of their biggest hits, including “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” and “Who Loves You.” He arranged and played on those recordings and toured worldwide with Frankie Valli, modernizing the Four Seasons’ sound for a new era of fans. After leaving in the early 1980s, Shapiro continued to work in music, writing songs, composing jingles, and even orchestrating Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, The Musical. He also made his mark outside of the industry by co-creating the Rock ’n’ Roll Elmo toy, which became a runaway success.

In 2010, with the rise of the Jersey Boys musical sparking new interest in Four Seasons music, Shapiro co-founded The Hit Men, a band of veteran musicians from legendary acts. They toured widely, keeping classic rock and pop alive for new audiences. Even after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Shapiro remained a driving force behind the group. From Jersey boy to hitmaker, his career has spanned pop, Broadway, toys, and beyond, leaving a lasting mark on music history.

Sandy Kaye