Where Did Tommy Devito Go To College?
Tommy DeVito is a fictional character in the musical Jersey Boys, which tells the story of the rise and fall of the 1960s rock band The Four Seasons. In the musical and movie, Tommy DeVito is portrayed as one of the founding members and lead guitarist of the band.
The real-life Tommy DeVito was an original founding member of The Four Seasons alongside Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio. He played lead guitar and sang background vocals for the band until 1970 when he left the group due to personal issues and financial disputes.
Tommy Devito’s Early Life and Introduction to Music
Tommy DeVito was born on June 19, 1928 in Belleville, New Jersey. He came from an Italian American family and grew up in an lower-income neighborhood during the Great Depression. As a teenager in the 1940s, DeVito began hanging around pool halls and getting involved in petty crimes. During this time, he also discovered a love for music.
DeVito taught himself how to play guitar as a teenager and started singing in local bands. Music provided him with a creative outlet and a way to escape his tough upbringing. At age 17, DeVito was playing with bands in clubs around New Jersey and New York. This early experience performing shaped his musical talents and allowed him to develop connections in the music industry.
Devito’s Time at Belleville High School
During his late teens, Tommy Devito attended Belleville High School in his hometown of Belleville, New Jersey.
Belleville High opened in 1887 and had a strong reputation for its academics and athletics by the time Devito attended in the early 1940s. The school offered college preparatory courses as well as vocational training in areas like auto mechanics and woodworking.
Devito likely took general education courses at Belleville High alongside some vocational classes related to engineering or mechanics. He was not a dedicated student, as he often skipped school to play music. However, the school provided Devito with a place to build relationships with classmates who would later form the core of The Four Seasons.
Devito’s College Plans and Decision to Pursue Music
After graduating from Belleville High School in 1946, Tommy DeVito had the opportunity to pursue higher education. College was becoming a more accessible option for working class Americans in the years following World War II. However, DeVito decided not to go to college and keep playing music instead.
Finances may have played a role in this decision – DeVito likely did not have the money to pay for college without taking out substantial loans. His family urged him to get a more stable job with a steady income and benefits rather than pursue the unstable career of a musician.
However, DeVito’s passion for music led him to turn down college and keep performing. He already had years of experience playing in clubs and developing his musical skills. By sticking with music full-time after high school, DeVito was able to focus completely on his talents.
| Year | Key Life Events |
|---|---|
| 1928 | Born in Belleville, New Jersey |
| Early 1940s | Learns to play guitar and sings in local bands as a teenager |
| Mid 1940s | Attends Belleville High School |
| 1946 | Graduates from Belleville High School |
| Late 1940s | Plays in bands and clubs full-time after deciding not to attend college |
Tommy Devito’s Musical Career After High School
Although he never attended college, Tommy DeVito continued to develop his skills and succeed as a professional musician.
In the early 1950s, DeVito was playing guitar and singing in various groups around New Jersey. This led to him forming a band called The Variatones with Frankie Castellucio (later known as Frankie Valli) in 1954.
DeVito and Valli then joined up with Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio to form The Four Lovers, the group that would evolve into The Four Seasons in 1960. DeVito’s guitar playing and vocals were an integral part of the band’s iconic sound.
Even after leaving The Four Seasons in 1970, DeVito stayed involved in the music industry. He helped discover and mentor talent like Frankie Avalon as a producer and collaborator. DeVito’s passion for music that started as a teenager in Belleville persisted throughout his life.
Impact and Legacy of DeVito’s Musical Career
Despite never attending college, Tommy DeVito built an impressive musical legacy:
- Helped form two hugely successful bands: The Four Lovers and The Four Seasons
- Played a key role as guitarist/singer in Four Seasons hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man”
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of The Four Seasons
- Remained active in music as a producer and manager even after leaving The Four Seasons
- Portrayed as a central character in the Broadway hit Jersey Boys, bringing his story to a wider audience
DeVito proved that you don’t need a college degree to achieve greatness in the music business. His raw talent, unrelenting drive, and connections from his youth in Belleville carried him to stardom. DeVito left an unforgettable mark on popular music in the 60s and beyond.
Tommy Devito’s Later Life and Death
After leaving The Four Seasons in 1970, Tommy DeVito relocated to Las Vegas. There he lived a comfortable life supported by the wealth and royalties from his time in the band.
In the 1990s, DeVito experienced renewed attention with the success of the musical Jersey Boys. The show portrayed his contributions to The Four Seasons and highlighted DeVito’s role in the band’s history for a new generation.
DeVito briefly returned to touring with Frankie Valli as part of The Four Seasons in 2007. However, he left after a few months due to difficulty handling the rigors of live performances at age 78.
In his final years, DeVito split time between Las Vegas and Texas to be closer to family. He died in Las Vegas on September 21, 2020 at the age of 92 from COVID-19 complications. Music industry icons like Frankie Valli mourned the loss of DeVito and celebrated his incredible career.
Conclusion
In summary, Tommy DeVito never attended traditional college after graduating from Belleville High School in 1946. Drawn to music from a young age, DeVito spent his teenage years playing in bands and developing his skills as a guitarist and singer.
By deciding to pursue music full-time after high school, DeVito was able to achieve great success as an original member of The Four Seasons. He went on to become a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and have his story immortalized in the hit musical Jersey Boys.
DeVito proved that charting an unconventional path guided by passion can lead to a remarkable legacy, even without a college degree. His raw talent and unrelenting drive took him all the way from the streets of Belleville to international stardom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tommy DeVito and College
Did Tommy DeVito go to college?
No, Tommy DeVito did not attend college after graduating from Belleville High School in 1946. He chose to pursue a career in music full-time rather than seeking higher education.
Where did Tommy DeVito grow up?
DeVito grew up in Belleville, New Jersey after being born there in 1928. He attended local schools including Belleville High School as a teenager.
What did Tommy DeVito do instead of going to college?
After high school, DeVito focused entirely on playing music rather than going to college. He sang and played guitar in various bands around New Jersey before forming The Four Lovers in the 1950s, the group that became The Four Seasons.
Why did Tommy DeVito decide not to go to college?
DeVito was drawn to music from a young age and already had experience performing in clubs by his late teens. He decided to forego college and keep playing music full-time to more quickly pursue a career doing what he loved.
Was Tommy DeVito successful without a college degree?
Yes, DeVito achieved great success as a musician without ever attending college. He was an original member of the chart-topping band The Four Seasons and went on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Did any other members of The Four Seasons attend college?
It does not appear that any of the other original Four Seasons members attended college. Frankie Valli, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio all pursued music careers in their youth like DeVito did.
What was Tommy DeVito’s main talent?
DeVito’s main talents were singing and playing guitar. His vocal harmonies and guitar playing were integral parts of The Four Seasons’ signature sound. DeVito also had talent as a band leader and helped manage the group.
Was Tommy DeVito a good student?
By most accounts, DeVito was not a dedicated student in high school since he often skipped school to play music. He seems to have focused his energy on developing his musical abilities rather than academics.
Did Tommy DeVito finish high school?
Yes, Tommy DeVito graduated from Belleville High School in 1946 despite not being the most studious student. However, he did not pursue education beyond the high school level.
