Tommy DeVito of The Four Seasons has succumbed to coronavirus at the age of 92, a family friend has confirmed.
The musician teamed up with Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio and the late Nick Massi to form the group and enjoyed a string of hits throughout the '60s and '70s, including 'Sherry', 'Walk Like A Man', 'Bye, Bye Baby' and 'Working My Way Back To You'.
DeVito, who was the band's lead guitarist and baritone vocalist, left the group in 1971 but reunited with his old partners multiple times over the following five decades, including for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the opening of the musical about them, Jersey Boys, in 2005.
Announcing the news on Facebook, close friend Alfredo Nittoli wrote: "My dear friend Tommy passed away in Las Vegas at 9:45 last night with deep regret I am writing this sitting in his living room I was informed by his daughter Darcel there will be a service in New Jersey."
In a joint statement, Valli and Gaudio said: "It is with great sadness that we report that Tommy DeVito, a founding member of The Four Seasons, has passed.
"We send our love to his family during this most difficult time. He will be missed by all who loved him."
DeVito had been in hospital for more than a fortnight battling COVID-19, which has now killed more than 200,000 people in the United States and almost 1 million worldwide.
Neil Wilkes
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