BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Gerry Polci and Lee Shapiro may not be household names, but in the 1970s, millions purchased their records, heard them on the radio, saw them on TV and went to their concerts.

So who are they?

They’re the former stars of the hit-making factory known as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Polci and Shapiro toured the world with Valli, recorded numerous hit albums with him, and sang lead vocals on songs like “Oh What a Night,” the biggest Seasons hit of all time. When they met in 1973, they were two boys from New Jersey, barely out of their teens, and the Four Seasons hadn’t had a chart hit in years. Along with Valli and songwriter/producer Bob Gaudio, Polci and Shapiro successfully transitioned the group’s sound from ‘60s doo-wop to ‘70s pop, with hit songs like “Who Loves You,” and “Oh What a Night.”

Spurred by the runaway success of “Jersey Boys,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical based on the Four Seasons’ career, these former Seasons, who are now in their late 50s and early 60s, decided to reunite and give touring one more shot, along with an A-list group of musicians who wrote, recorded and performed with Carly Simon, Tommy James, Cat Stevens, Elton John, Jim Croce, Chicago, Luther Vandross, The Ramones, Carole King and other mega-star acts of the era.

They now call themselves The Hit Men, and they’re coming to The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, to kick off the 2015-2016 Mainstage season.

The group’s show is a look back through rock and roll history, including stories of what it was like being on the road and in the recording studio with Frankie, Tommy, Carly, Jim, and Elton.

The Hit Men will perform songs frowm the Four Seasons song book including “Rag Doll,” “Dawn,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Marianne” and “Sherry.”

In addition, they will perform other hits that members of the band helped make famous such as “Peace Train,” “Leroy Brown,” “You’re So Vain” and “Mony, Mony.”

“This show is a chance for everyone to relive the glory days of rock and roll with a great group of guys who lived and breathed the experience,” said music director and former Four Seasons member Lee Shapiro. “You’ll leave the theatre exhilarated and wanting more. We guarantee it!”

Tickets for The Hit Men featuring the Former Member of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons start at $26 and are available online at www.TheMendelCenter.com, and through The Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-1221, Monday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For information about group rates, pre-show party options, and other special arrangements, contact the Box Office.

A cash bar will be open for one hour before show time. Special Mendel Center drink cups are available for purchase, which allow patrons to enjoy their beverages inside the theater.

The complete 2015-2016 Mendel Center Mainstage lineup of entertainment can be found at www.TheMendelCenter.com.