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Born to a working class Italian family, Valli was inspired to become a singer by his mother taking him to see Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, at the Paramount Theatre in New York City when he was a mere seven years old. After that he was hooked, supporting himself by working in his father’s barber shop all the while working on a singing career.
In 1951 Valli landed his first professional gig with The Variety Trio (that contained two members of the future Four Seasons), who offered him a guest spot during their concerts. However, a year later the Trio split, leading Valli to start playing as a sideman for various artists on the bass guitar.
One of the groups he played in was named the Four Lovers, and after some success with them, they were whittled down to the core quartet of Valli on lead vocals, backed by Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito. With that, pop history was made.
Come the end of the fifties and the start of the sixties, they were the biggest band in the world before The Beatles came along. With hits like “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like A Man” all hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Such was Valli’s stock as a singer that he was able to have solo success while The Four Seasons were still active, something that only Buddy Holly had achieved before him. In 1967 he released his signature song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and with that, he became as big a draw as the band was. The era of “Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons” had begun.
Over the years, he's kept that unmistakeable falsetto and the kind of charisma that brings any audience he faces to their feet.
Frankie Valli has released hit after hit and has delivered thousands of memorable performances. His influence can be heard from the Beach Boys to the Smiths (frontman Morrissey is known for performing covers of Valli's work). His legacy spans generations and his music has continued to remain relevant and relatable. Even in his 80s he still manages to sing in registers you would expect only to find in a Catholic schoolboy choir. At a Frankie Valli concert as expected attention is focused on his astounding vocal skills. However his backing band should not be overlooked. It is actually near impossible to do so given their size. He has multiple keyboardists, four backing singers dressed in exquisite matching suits, skilled saxophone players, guitarists and drummers. All of the musicians are immensely talented and provide the perfect backdrop for Valli to showcase his voice and exemplary stage presence.
Hearing songs like "Sherry" and "Big Girls Don't Cry" are enough to paralyze one with the feeling of nostalgia and ecstasy. For a moment you feel as though you have entered in a time-warp back to the early 60s. And how can you not help yourself from dancing like a maniac to the ever rising energy of "Who Loves You?" Valli's live repertoire is also sprinkled with well selected covers, ranging from The Temptations' "My Girl," The Rascals' "Groovin'," and Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin." One can understand after seeing a Frankie Valli concert why he is heralded by so many musicians and has secured for himself a place in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.
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