Frankie Valli's first #1 hit was 1962's "Sherry" as recorded by the Four Seasons. The band had been at it since 1955 recruiting songwriters and producers Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio in 1958. "Sherry" was a monster, spending five weeks at #1, followed by a quick succession of "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Walk Like A Man" becoming the first group to have their first three singles reach #1. They began losing steam shortly after Frankie Valli solo recording of "Cant Take My Eyes Off Of You" in 1968.
The band faded away, but Frankie kept recording songs like the #1 "My Eyes Adored You" and then some disco songs like "Swearin To God", "Our Day Will Come" and a version of "Native New Yorker". That led to a new Four Seasons band that burst back on the charts with the #3 chart showing of "Who Loves You" and then the #1 hit "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)". In 1977, there was a buzz around a nostalgia soaked musical with original music that celebrated the greasers of the late 50's and early 60's.
Olivia Newton John and John Travolta were attached and soon a wide array of 50 and 60's personalities filled the various roles to be played onscreen. The Bee Gees were well on their way to super stardom and took time to write the title tune and invited Frankie Valli to record it. The result was a #1 Hot 100 hit and the soundtrack became the second biggest seller, right behind "Saturday Night Fever" with 24 million copies sold.
"Grease" was written and produced by Barry Gibb with Peter Frampton on guitar. It is the only Gibb tune on the album and was written by request by RSO.