Joe Long
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Joe Long | |
---|---|
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)
Instruments | Bass guitar |
Joseph Louis LaBracio (September 5, 1932 – April 21, 2021), known professionally as Joe Long, was an American musician 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 New York Philharmonic. However, a severe hand injury forced Joe to give up the rigors of playing classical bass and switch to the Fender bass guitar. He then began listening more to rock and roll music and became a bass player for several local New Jersey rock bands before joining the Four Seasons in 1965 as a replacement for Charles Calello, who temporarily replaced Nick Massi. Long continued to record, perform and tour with The Four Seasons through the mid-1970s.
After leaving the group, Long formed the rock 'n roll group LaBracio and later the jazz band Jersey Bounce. In a 2007 interview, Long stated "I still play an occasional gig. And, I have done a few recording sessions with Tommy (DeVito). For the most part, though, I am retired."[2]
Long died from COVID-19 in April 2021 at the age of 88.[3][4]
References[]
- ^ "'Jersey Boy' Visits St. Bart's Italian Festival as Joe Long of The Four Seasons Takes the Stage". TAPinto. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "JBB EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Joe Long–Part Three!". Jerseyboysblog.com. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ Jordan, Chris. "Joe Long, Four Seasons bassist and Elizabeth native, has died". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ 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 (Part3)
- 1932 births
- 2021 deaths
- 20th-century American bass guitarists
- 20th-century American male musicians
- American male bass guitarists
- American rock bass guitarists
- American people of Italian descent
- The Four Seasons (band) members
- Guitarists from New Jersey
- Jersey Shore musicians
- People from Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey